Walmart is currently slashing prices on Xbox games, with many titles going for much less than their usual retail prices. This is a trend that deal-hunters and budget-conscious gamers shouldn’t miss. Reports from Game Rant and MSN highlighted these discounts, but keep in mind that stock at these prices tends to sell out quickly.
The discounts cover a variety of titles in the Xbox library. This aligns with the broader trend of physical game prices dropping significantly as the gaming industry shifts toward digital distribution. Retailers like Walmart often clear out physical inventory with big markdowns, and the extent of these price cuts has caught the attention of gaming communities.
The timing is particularly interesting given the current state of the Xbox software market. Microsoft’s push for Game Pass has put pressure on physical game sales at major retailers. Walmart, known for its competitive electronics pricing, appears to be offloading inventory rather than holding onto it. Major releases tend to lose resale value quickly after launch in this environment.
A title affected by this discount trend is Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s action-adventure game released in March 2025, which hasn’t performed well commercially. Right now, it’s listed at just $0.49 on Steam — an astonishing drop that highlights how fast Ubisoft’s latest open-world game has lost value since its March 20, 2025 launch. This price makes it one of the biggest discounts on any major AAA title in recent memory.
Ubisoft faces a tough situation as it heads into the latter half of 2025. The game director for AC Hexe left the company in May 2026, following the earlier exit of the creative director. This leadership shakeup hints at internal challenges. Additionally, the AC Black Flag remake has been pushed back to July 9 and is now incorporating RPG elements, which changes the scope of what many expected to be a straightforward remaster. Whether this delay is due to production issues or a strategic shift is still unclear.
| AC Shadows Steam Price | $0.49 |
| AC Shadows Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| AC Shadows DLC Cost (100% completion) | ~$90 USD |
| AC Black Flag Remake Release | July 9 (delayed) |
| AC Hexe Leadership Exits (2025–26) | 2 (Game Director + Creative Director) |
Community feedback on Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been largely negative on Steam. One reviewer commented: “Avoid. If you hunt to get 100% completions, prepare to shell out $90 USD in DLC to get the last achievement for that hundo. Guess what game in my library is never getting fully completed.” This complaint about aggressive post-launch monetization locking away completion content is a common criticism in the game’s review section and contributes to its price drop in the secondary market.
What To Watch
- How low Walmart prices go: If these clearance sales indicate a larger inventory purge rather than just isolated markdowns, we could see more Xbox titles drop in price over the next few weeks. Keep an eye out for deal alerts.
- Ubisoft’s recovery trajectory: With AC Shadows underperforming, the Black Flag remake delayed, and two key creative leaders gone from AC Hexe, Ubisoft’s next earnings call and any updated sales figures will be crucial for understanding if the company’s restructuring is having a stabilizing effect.
- Physical vs. digital pricing pressure: Walmart’s discounts highlight a structural shift. Watch for other major retailers — like Target and Best Buy — to see if they follow suit with similar markdowns, confirming this trend rather than treating it as an anomaly.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
