The future of Xbox appears increasingly uncertain as reports surface that major retailers are scaling back—or removing entirely—Xbox hardware and games from shelves.
According to a new report from The Gamer, Target stores have stopped carrying Xbox consoles and physical game copies across many locations in the U.S. Entire Xbox display sections have reportedly been removed, with remaining games placed on clearance.
While PlayStation and Nintendo Switch titles continue to occupy retail space, Xbox’s presence appears to be shrinking fast—fueling speculation about the platform’s long-term direction.
Target Pulls Xbox Consoles and Games
Shoppers have noticed the disappearance firsthand. In several Target locations, Xbox titles are missing from the main display area, and Xbox Series X consoles are no longer listed for in-store or online purchase.
Anecdotal reports suggest that only accessories and digital gift cards remain available, with employees citing no clear reason for the change or whether Xbox products will return to stores.
Interestingly, the Xbox Series S remains listed as available for online shipping, but not in stores.
The report also claims Walmart may be reducing Xbox stock, although the extent of that shift appears less significant for now.
Price Hikes and Sluggish Growth Add Pressure
This latest development comes during a challenging year for Xbox. Microsoft has raised prices on consoles, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and first-party titles, despite slowing hardware growth.
The Xbox Series X/S generation has struggled to match the success of its predecessor, the Xbox 360, or even the recovery period of the late Xbox One era. While Game Pass has been praised for its value and accessibility, analysts suggest the subscription service may be cutting into hardware sales and retail presence, as more players move to digital-only ecosystems.
A Crossroads for Xbox’s Future
Xbox’s retail decline follows months of speculation over Microsoft’s long-term hardware strategy, including rumors of a cloud-first focus and potential multiplatform releases for key exclusives.
As of now, Microsoft and Target have not commented on the reported changes. Whether this represents a temporary adjustment or a permanent shift away from physical Xbox sales remains unclear—but it’s another worrying sign for the platform’s market momentum heading into 2026.
