Xbox consoles and games will no longer be sold at Walmart and Target, according to employees

Recently, buyers reported that Walmart started adding Switch 2 games to Xbox display cases. As TheGamer reports, that may have signaled a wider trend among other retailers like Target. Multiple employees for the two stores have learned that they are abandoning Xbox consoles and games. This development follows another widely criticized price increase on consoles and Game Pass.

On Reddit, a Target worker revealed that the retailer had ceased selling Xbox games. A Walmart employee then responded to Jawwaad127, explaining that the popular chain is likely following suit. Other gamers have discussed how, after remodels, Microsoft’s offerings are completely gone.

Another shopper shared a photo of a Target dismantling its Xbox section. According to CodeE1985, an electronics manager verified that all Xbox games, consoles, and accessories will soon disappear. The Xbox Series X and S have become scarce on Target websites, with fewer stores carrying the systems.

Walmart and Target have not made an announcement about changes to Xbox availability. Still, Costco has confirmed that it will no longer offer the systems and games in the U.S. and the U.K. European gamers were among the first to note that retailers stopped advertising Xbox products. There have also been rumors that Microsoft has reduced the distribution of its products in the region.

The fallout from Xbox's decline

Many fans think it’s inevitable that PlayStation and Nintendo will benefit from less competition. Although sales of Xbox consoles had already significantly slowed, there are few alternatives to the PS5 and Switch 2. Like with the Xbox price increase, Sony frustrated buyers by raising the MSRP of the PS5 again. Now, there is even less motivation to keep the cost of the systems reasonable.

There is hope that Microsoft hasn’t entirely given up on hardware. Responding to a report that it had cancelled a new Xbox console, the company insists more systems are in development. Nevertheless, it’s uncertain whether the creations will resemble the Xbox Series X or Windows PCs.