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Below are game console launch prices adjusted for inflation (1975-2024):
This visualization highlights the launch prices of various game consoles, adjusted for inflation and categorized by their makers (Atari, Sega, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and others). The data, sourced from Inflation Station and supplemented with pricing details from Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and Valve, uses inflation rates as of August 2024, calculated via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Release years refer to North American launches.
Prices reflect the launch versions of consoles unless otherwise noted:
For the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the 20GB models were used.
For the PlayStation 5, the disc-compatible version was used.
For the Steam Deck, the 64GB version was used.
Highlights:
Adjusted for inflation, SNK’s Neo Geo holds the title of the most expensive video game console at launch. Released in 1990, it sold for $649—equivalent to $1,552 in 2024 dollars. Its game titles were also among the priciest, often retailing for over $200 each, as they mirrored their arcade counterparts.
In contrast, the most affordable console was Nintendo’s Game Boy Color. Released in 1998, the handheld console sold for $79, or about $153 in 2024 dollars.
The newly launched PlayStation 5 Pro is priced at $699, making it the most expensive console in the PlayStation lineup. This price surpasses the PS5’s $499 launch price and the PS4 Pro’s $399 debut. Even after adjusting for inflation, the PS5 Pro’s launch price is second only to the PlayStation 3, which debuted in 2006 for $499—equivalent to $780 in 2024 dollars.
Rankings:
The 12 most expensive consoles based on their original launch price:
Console — Original Price
PlayStation 5 Pro — $699
3DO Interactive Multiplayer — $699
Neo Geo — $649
Xbox Series X — $499
PlayStation 5 — $499
Xbox One — $499
PlayStation 3 — $499
Steam Deck — $399
PlayStation 4 Pro — $399
PlayStation 4 — $399
Xbox 360 — $399
Sega Saturn — $399
The 15 most expensive consoles based on their launch price adjusted to 2024 dollars:
Console — Adjusted Price (August 2024)
Neo Geo — $1,552
3DO Interactive Multiplayer — $1,510
Intellivision — $1,193
Atari 2600 — $1,020
Atari 5200 — $864
Sega Saturn — $825
PlayStation 3 — $780
PlayStation 5 Pro — $699
Xbox One — $674
Xbox 360 — $643
PlayStation — $613
Xbox Series X — $604
PlayStation 5 — $604
Turbo Express — $586
NES — $576
The 10 least expensive consoles based on their original launch price:
Console — Original Price
Game Boy Color — $79
Game Boy — $89
Game Boy Advance — $99
Atari 7800 — $139
Game Gear — $149
Nintendo DS — $149
ColecoVision — $175
Atari Lynx — $179
Virtual Boy — $179
Sega Nomad — $180
The 10 least expensive consoles based on their launch price adjusted to 2024 dollars:
Console — Adjusted Price (August 2024)
Game Boy Color — $153
Game Boy Advance — $175
Game Boy — $225
Nintendo Switch Lite — $244
Nintendo DS — $246
Playstation Vita — $344
Game Gear — $347
Nintendo 3DS — $351
GameCube — $353
Xbox Series S — $362
Click the link to Visual Capitalist to to explore more data on launch prices for each console, including their original prices, adjusted 2024 values, release years, and manufacturers:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/game-console-launch-prices-adjusted-for-inflation-1975-2024/
What was the first game console you owned? What’s your all-time favorite console? Which console was the most expensive you’ve ever purchased based on its original price? How about when adjusted for inflation? And which console do you think offered the greatest value?