Microsoft’s 2022 Xbox Countdown Sale launched on December 16, 2022, with discounts of up to 60% on hundreds of Xbox digital games. The advertised sale ended January 2, 2023, so its deals and prices are historical—not offers available now. Thurrott’s December 16 report covered the sale and selected prices.
What the 2022 Xbox Countdown Sale included
The Countdown Sale was Microsoft’s holiday promotion for digitally sold Xbox games. The 2022 coverage also reported discounts on selected accessories. “Up to 60% off” described the maximum advertised discount, not a reduction applied uniformly to every item. Prices and savings varied by game, edition, region, and product.
The sale’s advertised end date was January 2, 2023; the cited report did not specify a cutoff time. Microsoft reused the Countdown Sale name for a later promotion: its 2023 announcement said that sale ran through January 2, 2024. The year matters when looking up old sale coverage.
Games highlighted in the sale
Thurrott’s report highlighted titles it identified as not being available through Game Pass at the time, including games optimized for Xbox Series X|S. These are examples, not a complete catalog. The dollar amounts below were reported U.S. sale prices during the December 2022 promotion, not current prices.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
| Game | Reported sale price |
|---|---|
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II | $59.49 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | $29.99 |
| Destiny 2: The Witch Queen | $19.99 |
| Elden Ring | $41.99 |
| FIFA 23 | $34.99 |
| F1 22 | $27.99 |
| Grand Theft Auto V | $19.99 |
| Madden NFL 23 | $34.99 |
| NBA 2K23 | $34.99 |
| The Witcher 3: Game of the Year Edition | $29.99 |
Reported accessory prices
The same report listed selected hardware offers, also historical U.S. prices from the 2022 sale:
- Selected standard Xbox controllers in black, white, and red: $39.99.
- Xbox Elite Series 2 controller: $154.99.
- Wired Xbox Stereo Headset: $46.99.
The report said the wireless headset was not discounted. A reported price does not establish that a product was in stock in every region or that all colors were available.
Rank #2
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
A separate free multiplayer weekend
During the sale period, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II had a limited free-access weekend for its multiplayer modes. The promotion was scheduled to end at 10 a.m. PT on Monday, December 19, 2022, and did not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription. It provided temporary multiplayer access, not ownership of the full game or a permanent change to the game’s free-to-play status.
What mattered when judging a deal
A sale price is only useful if the version fits what you plan to play and own. For a digital purchase, check the listing and your library before paying:
Rank #3
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
- Compare the edition. Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, Cross-Gen, and Game of the Year editions can contain different games or add-ons and may have different discounts.
- Check Game Pass overlap. If a game is included in your active plan, buying it may not be worthwhile unless you specifically want to own it beyond the subscription or expect to stop subscribing. The report’s Game Pass references describe availability at the time, which can change.
- Verify console compatibility. Check whether the edition supports Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, or both. “Optimized for Series X|S” does not by itself establish that every edition includes the same features or an upgrade.
- Check add-on requirements. Discounted DLC may require the base game, and an add-on is not a substitute for the full game.
- Compare regional prices and terms. These examples are U.S. dollar prices for digital offers; they do not establish prices or availability in other countries or at physical retailers.
The 2022 report does not establish a separate Xbox Live Gold discount structure for the listed Countdown Sale deals. Microsoft’s December 2021 deals roundup distinguished Deals with Gold from Countdown Sale offers, but that earlier promotion is not evidence of the membership terms for the 2022 sale.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Xbox Countdown Sale still available?
No. The 2022 promotion ended on January 2, 2023. Its listed prices should not be treated as current deals; check the Xbox games store for current digital offers. Later use of the Countdown Sale name refers to a different year’s promotion, not an extension of the 2022 sale.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Rank #4
- BREAKER SERIES — Hold nothing back. Ice Breaker keeps it forever fresh with a mix of iced and frosted blues. Part of the collective debut of the Breaker special edition series.
- BOLD STYLE, BUILT TO PERFORM — Define your swagger with a wild, head-turning design. Stay elegantly on target with textured triggers built for every moment.
- RUBBERIZED GRIPS — Hold on to the action with rubberized grips on the back cases, designed for comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can keep playing without stopping to recharge.
- PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between devices including console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
