During “normal” times, it would be no problem getting your hands on a new gaming console this time of year. You’d simply place an order or head to the store and pick one up in person. But after a year of everyone being stuck at home due to the pandemic — along with coronavirus-related stock shortages — demand for new game systems is still sky high. Case in point: The Xbox Series X is still nearly impossible to find at all major retailers. But for those of you who are still desperate to snag the Xbox Series X, there is some good news — we’ve seen it resurface at a number of stores in recent weeks, albeit before selling out almost instantly. It’s true that the PS5 is now the fastest-selling console in US history, but the Xbox can’t be that far behind.
As of March 21, there are no Xbox consoles to be found at regular retail prices in either of its configurations. The $500 Xbox Series X is the gaming console of choice for its 4K video and 120Hz refresh rates. But if you don’t have a 4K TV, the Xbox Series S costs a much more reasonable $300. Regardless of which one you have your eye on, though, no stores have any regular inventory to sell you.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
For the latest news on inventory updates, check back here frequently. You can monitor Xbox availability on your own as well — Twitter is a popular (if not entirely reliable) source of restock rumors. But here at CNET, we occasionally get word directly from retailers and other tipsters about upcoming inventory restocks, and when we do, we put out the word immediately.
This much is true: It will probably be months before normal inventory levels appear in stores, so getting your own Xbox before summer is likely to be a challenge. Microsoft recently said that it expects inventory to be short through June.
After this list of related stories, you’ll find a list of all the major retailers (and high-profile resellers) where you can monitor stock and availability.
Xbox Series X Restock Possibilities
You can find both the Xbox Series X and the less expensive Series S on the same Amazon product page.
This is the product page for the Xbox Series at GameStop.
Here’s where to find the Xbox Series X at Best Buy (when inventory drops).
You might also want to visit the retailer’s Xbox landing page to see both new consoles, but here’s the product page for the Xbox Series X.
If you want to get the latest on the Xbox Series X, there’s probably nowhere better than Microsoft’s own Xbox Series X home page.
This is Target’s product page for the Xbox Series X.
This is where you can purchase the Xbox Series X at Newegg when the retailer has inventory.
We highly recommend waiting for inventory to appear at ordinary retailers so you can buy an Xbox Series X at the regular retail price. But if you simply can’t wait, be advised that the average Xbox Series X price on eBay is about $800.
Are you willing to pay a premium of hundreds of dollars over the list price? We don’t recommend doing that, but StockX is a reputable eBay-style site that will let you buy a new Xbox — as long as you’re willing to pay $650 or more.
This story is updated frequently with the latest Xbox Series X inventory news.
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