I Never Realized How Expensive Video Game Consoles Used to Be

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2025 finds many of us pondering over the rising cost of gaming. Devices such as the Nintendo Switch and PS5 have recently revealed price hikes, instead of reductions. Each subsequent system seems to be pricier than its predecessor, leading one to reminisce about earlier consoles being more budget-friendly. However, is it true that they were actually cheaper in their respective eras? That’s a question worth exploring.

Generally speaking, most people find that the total expense of everyday life has grown faster than our earnings. Consequently, many items appeared cheaper in the past compared to their current prices. Despite the perception that gaming is becoming a pricier pastime these days, the situation with game console costs is somewhat complex. In reality, game consoles have remained approximately as expensive as they are now for quite some time, though this may not seem obvious.

Console Prices of the ’90s Are Kind of Shocking When Adjusted for Inflation

The initial home video game console our family acquired was a Super Nintendo, and I can’t exactly pinpoint the exact time it arrived. Over time, it became a familiar fixture in our house until one day it wasn’t. However, the Nintendo 64 stands out vividly in my memory. Mainly because my brother and I constantly pleaded with our parents for it, and the day we first played Mario Kart 64 on that console was particularly exciting. Yet, back then, I hadn’t given a thought to its cost. After all, I was just a child. But in retrospect, the price was significantly more than I had originally thought.

Initially, ’90s video game consoles such as the Nintendo 64 might seem affordable at first sight, considering their original price of $200 USD. However, when you account for inflation, these prices become more relatable. For instance, the SNES that was sold for $200 in 1991 would actually equate to approximately $400 today. Likewise, the Nintendo 64, originally priced at $330, would translate to around $600 in present-day dollars when adjusted for inflation.

Comparing the early days of gaming, it’s interesting to note that the original PlayStation, launched in 1995 for $299.99, is roughly equivalent to $613 nowadays. On the other hand, Sega’s initial consoles generally leaned towards the pricier side. For instance, the Sega CD was sold at $299 back in 1992, which translates to approximately $670 in current terms. Similarly, the Sega Saturn retailed for $399 in 1995, or around $817 today.

The numbers aren’t excessively high compared to current console prices, but some early gaming consoles were quite expensive. For instance, the Nat Geo, released in 1990, aimed to bring arcade-style gaming into homes and came with a hefty price tag of $649 upon release. Adjusted for inflation, this would equate to approximately $1,552 today, making it more expensive than most high-end gaming PCs available on the market today. The 3D0 Interactive Multiplayer, launched in 1993, also had a premium price of $699 at launch, equivalent to about $1,510 in today’s dollars.

Today’s Console Have Largely Kept Pace With Prices from the 90s

It’s worth noting that purchasing a gaming console has always been considered an investment, but with rising living costs, it may seem heavier on the wallet. However, something noteworthy when considering the changing prices is that unlike most other expenditures, the initial cost of gaming consoles has generally remained stable.

Let’s revisit the costs of Nintendo consoles, shall we? The SNES was sold for an equivalent of $400 in today’s currency, and the N64 followed closely at approximately $330. Even with recent price adjustments, a new Nintendo console still falls within this range. For instance, the Switch OLED model costs $400, whereas the Switch Lite is more budget-friendly at $230. Although price increases can be painful, they are not that far removed from the traditional cost of a gaming console. The upcoming Switch 2 is priced at $450, which is slightly higher but not excessively so.

Sony’s journey isn’t drastically dissimilar. The first PlayStation retailed for approximately $613 in today’s terms. Given this, the PS5 is quite a bargain at $550, while the PS5 Pro has seen an increase with its new price tag of $750. However, when considering other goods, gaming consoles haven’t actually risen that significantly in cost.

Today, it’s challenging to draw a contemporary parallel between the initial gaming consoles from National Geographic and 3DO due to their price points being comparable to high-end gaming PCs, typically costing approximately $1500. However, as technology has advanced, reasonably priced gaming PCs have become more accessible in today’s market, allowing you to enjoy smooth gameplay for less than that. Consequently, the cost of bringing video games into your home is now significantly lower compared to the earlier attempts aimed at replicating an arcade experience at home.

In essence, although current consumer prices may seem high, their relative value hasn’t really changed much over time. What has shifted is our purchasing power and cost of living, which affects how we perceive these prices compared to the ’90s.

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2025-09-11 15:17