Computer Game Console Launch Prices Gradually
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While home console pc gaming’s share of the pc gaming industry market has been diminishing throughout the years, many players still turn to trusted favorites like the PS5 or Nintendo Switch to submerse themselves in the very best video games on the marketplace.
This visualization reveals the launch prices of numerous video game gaming consoles, readjusted for inflation and categorized by their manufacturer (Atari, Sega, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and others), utilizing information from Rising cost of living Station, along with additional information for certain console version costs from Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and Shutoff. Rising cost of living was computed as of August 2025, making use of information from the U.S.At site retrogamingcollector from Our Articles Bureau of Labor Stats.
Release years are for The United States and Canada, and console prices are for launch variations of consoles unless or else kept in mind.
- For the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the 20GB versions were used.
- For the PlayStation 5, the disc suitable variation was used.
- For the Vapor Deck, the 64GB version was utilized.
Which Console Had one of the most Expensive Release Rate?
Listed below, we show the launch rate for each console in its original cost and in 2025 dollars, in addition to its release year, and its maker.
| Console | Release Year | Initial Cost | Changed Rate (August 2025) | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atari 2600 | 1977 | $199 | $1,020 | Atari |
| Intellivision | 1980 | $299 | $1,193 | Mattel |
| Atari 5200 | 1982 | $269 | $864 | Atari |
| ColecoVision | 1982 | $175 | $564 | Coleco |
| NES | 1985 | $199 | $576 | Nintendo |
| Master System | 1986 | $200 | $571 | Sega |
| Atari 7800 | 1986 | $139 | $402 | Atari |
| TurboGrafx-16 | 1989 | $199 | $503 | Hudson Soft & Nec Home Electronics |
| Sega Genesis | 1989 | $189 | $477 | Sega |
| Atari Lynx | 1989 | $179 | $451 | Atari |
Recalling, a few of the earliest consoles were rather expensive when changed for inflation, making them high-end things for lots of homes at once when gaming consoles were equaling the prominence of games in both appeal and high quality.
Readjusted for inflation, SNK’s Neo Geo console was the most expensive computer game console at launch. Released in 1990, the Japanese console cost $649, which has to do with $1,552 in 2025 bucks.
The Neo Geo game system referred to both the company’s game system and home computer game console, and was commended for its high-grade hardware and 2D graphics at the time. Neo Geo video game titles commonly retailed for over $200 each at the time, and were indicated to be exactly the like its gallery equivalents.
The 3DO Business’s Interactive Multiplayer console came in at a close 2nd, retailing for $699 in 1993, which has to do with $1,510 today, adjusted for inflation. The 3DO Firm was an American computer game firm founded in 1991 by Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, and declared bankruptcy in 2003.
One of the most budget friendly video game console at launch was Nintendo’s Video game Young boy Shade, an 8-bit handheld console launched in 1998 for $79, which is about $153 in 2025 bucks.
The Video Game Kid Color was the successor to the commonly successful initial Game Boy, and its most remarkable brand-new feature was the intro of full-color gameplay.
PS5 Pro Comes With a Hefty Cost
The forthcoming PlayStation 5 Pro is valued at $699, making it the most pricey console in the PlayStation schedule, substantially higher than the PS5, which launched at $499, and the PS4 Pro, which debuted at $399.
In comparison, both the PS4 and PS4 Pro were launched at the exact same rate factor of $399, highlighting a stark rise in rates for the current generation of consoles.
Even when changing prices for inflation, the PS5 Pro’s launch price is only beaten by the Playstation 3, which had an infamously high launch rate in 2006 of $499 ($780 when adjusted for rising cost of living).
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To read more about the pc gaming sector, check out this graphic that shows the most prominent video gaming genres by generation.
 Video Game Console Launch Costs Changed for Inflation (1975-2025) |