10 Most Expensive Gaming Consoles Ever, Adjusted For Inflation

50 years since video game consoles first appeared, the ongoing discussion about their pricing has resurfaced, particularly with Nintendo announcing the Switch 2 and its elevated price tag for both games and hardware. As a gamer, it’s clear that this hobby can be costly, and with each new generation of consoles boasting more power and higher-quality games, it seems that prices will continue to rise. This upward trend is due not only to the actual components but also the influence of inflation over time.

Old gaming consoles played a significant role in transforming the gaming world from a hardware standpoint. They introduced higher graphical capabilities, faster memory speeds, and support for the ongoing progression of video game development, enabling creators to explore the boundaries of on-screen visuals. It’s worth pausing to acknowledge how much the gaming landscape has changed over time. While it can be fun to critique contemporary companies about their pricing strategies, it’s important to remember that console prices were never pocket-friendly, and some of the most legendary and esteemed consoles were hidden behind towering price barriers that dwarf many modern day options.

10. Playstation

The Start Of An Era

Release Year: 1995
Original Price: $299
Adjusted Price: $622
Units Sold: 102.49 million

The original PlayStation, a legendary gaming console from Sony, is renowned for launching numerous classic titles that continue to captivate gamers today. Games like Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, Metal Gear Solid, and many more were part of its extensive library, offering a variety of genres and playstyles. Remarkably, this console was able to host these gaming juggernauts over 30 years ago, at a price that seems almost unbelievable when compared to the current market. The notion of owning such iconic games for less than $300 today feels both astounding and amusing in retrospect.

It’s not surprising that the console sold more than 100 million units during its lifetime, given its immense power and abundant games, it was challenging to opt for another console at the time. As a newcomer in the gaming sphere, Sony aimed to establish itself as a permanent fixture, and they couldn’t have asked for a better debut success than the Playstation. Looking back on those years, the console series now boasts some of the best-selling titles around, and it’s hard to imagine that the world might never have experienced the incredible and mesmerizing adventures specifically designed for the later versions of this console, if not for the original’s triumph.

9. Xbox One

Team Green Strikes Again

Release Date: 2013
Original Price: $499
Adjusted Price: $683
Units Sold: 58 million

In the mid-2010s, the gaming world became a hotly contested battleground among gamers of all ages. Some pledged allegiance to the blue banners of PlayStation, while others sided with green, joining the console battle between Xbox and PlayStation. Prior to the launch of Xbox One, the competition was quite even, as sales figures were almost identical for both consoles throughout their previous generation’s lifespan, if not slightly favoring the Xbox 360. However, with iconic games like Halo and Gears of War exclusive to the Xbox community, Microsoft aimed to gain an edge in the competition with their latest console and keep the rivalry burning for many years to follow.

Turns out, calling their latest console in the series “One” wasn’t exactly a winning marketing strategy. By the end of its lifespan, the PlayStation 4 outsold the Xbox One significantly, despite Microsoft’s impressive exclusive games and efforts to distinguish themselves like emphasizing backwards compatibility. In the end, Sony came out on top, and since then, Xbox has shown they’re not fighting a hardware war anymore, but rather focusing on Game Pass and buying studios to produce exclusives for their platform and PC. Although they lost the battle, the Xbox One was still an excellent console in one of the best eras of gaming, with hits like Red Dead Redemption 2 that were affordable enough for a holiday gift.

8. Playstation 5 Pro

With Great Power Comes Great Controversy

Release Date: 2024
Original Price: $699
Adjusted Price: $707
Units Sold: Unclear (PS5 74.9 Million)

Since I stepped into the gaming world, Sony’s PlayStation has been a consistent winner, with almost every console they’ve released making it onto the top 10 bestsellers list. The PlayStation 2 holds the crown as their most successful console yet. Now, the PlayStation 5 may not have set any new records for the company, but it did showcase the incredible power and potential that Sony can harness with today’s advanced technology.

Just as anticipated, the PS5 saw a mid-generation upgrade, which is the PlayStation 5 Pro. This version promises even more impressive gaming capabilities, leaving many of us gamers in awe when we compared its price to the original one.

Investing $700 for an upgrade on PlayStation seems substantial, but considering the exceptional first-party games like “The Last of Us” and the upcoming sequel to “Ghost of Tsushima,” the price could be considered reasonable. This is particularly true when you consider the cost of PCs offering comparable performance in the gaming world. It’s worth noting that PlayStation themselves acknowledge that not many gamers will make this switch, but for those who want the enhanced performance and capabilities, and are willing to pay a premium, it could be seen as a worthwhile investment, especially while we await the next generation of gaming.

7. Playstation 3

The Golden Era Of Gaming

Release Date: 2006
Original Price: $499
Adjusted Price: $790
Units Sold: 87.4 million

In simpler terms, the PlayStation 3 was home to an incredible collection of top-tier games like Grand Theft Auto V, InFamous, and Heavy Rain, which are still popular today due to remasters and sequels. During a highly competitive era, consistently producing high-quality games on a single platform is truly impressive and reflects PlayStation’s commitment to the gaming industry and its future role within it.

The cost was neither extremely low nor excessively high back then, offering a reasonable balance for consumers. With an initial price under $500, it provided a potent console that served well for almost a decade without the need for immediate upgrades. Considering today’s values, the original PS3 costs slightly more than the PS5 Pro. However, if we compare exclusive games as a deciding factor in purchasing a console, the PS3 outshines the PS5 significantly. It launched some of the most successful franchises and continues to receive updates for its sequels even today.

6. Sega Saturn

Born In The Wrong Generation

Release Date: 1995
Original Price: $836
Adjusted Price: $399
Units Sold: 9.26 million

In the ’90s, the gaming industry was expanding at an unprecedented rate. This rapid growth meant that the timing of a console launch became crucial; if released prematurely, it could lead to disastrous consequences not only for the console’s sales but also for the company itself. The Sega Saturn, unfortunately, is a case in point, as it was introduced too early to fully capitalize on the creators’ ambitions. Although it wasn’t underpowered, its dual-CPU design made game development particularly challenging, despite being more advanced than most of its competitors.

Initially selling for $399 in the mid-’90s, this wasn’t an inexpensive purchase, and when adjusted for inflation, it comes close to $900 today. Regardless of its high price, the console offered a good selection of arcade-style games from franchises such as Castlevania and Sonic that continue to be updated and played even now. Even though its game library might seem modest by today’s standards, the console didn’t last long on store shelves, having been released too early and failing to meet expectations at the finish line, despite its innovative attempts.

5. Atari 5200

Leveling Up The Power

Release Date: 1982
Original Price: $269
Adjusted Price: $876
Units Sold: 1 million

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4. Atari 2600

An Entire Arcade In A Single Box

Release Date: 1977
Original Price: $199
Adjusted Price: $1034
Units Sold: 30 million

The Atari 2600, introduced in the late ’70s, stands out as one of the consoles that revolutionized an entire industry. It was instrumental in moving video games from arcades to homes, pioneering the concept of a home console market. Games like Space Invaders, Adventure, Pitfall!, and Combat, weren’t just games on the 2600; they defined what gaming could be. Its distinctive joystick, wooden finish, and cartridge system left lasting cultural impressions, and many game genres can trace their roots back to the groundbreaking titles that debuted on this console.

Initially launched at $199, the Atari 2600 was considered a high-end entertainment system, and when adjusted for inflation, this cost equates to nearly $1,000 today, placing it among the most expensive historical console prices. However, in its early days, the market was not saturated with many competitors, so despite its relatively high price, the 2600 offered one of the best choices available. The content provided on it more than justified the extra spending.

Although the 2600’s graphics and memory were simple by today’s standards, its cost appears steep. Yet, at that time, it was a marvel of consumer technology. The 2600 didn’t merely sell video games to consumers; it sold the idea of gaming itself. Its impact on future console generations is immeasurable, as it laid the foundation for all subsequent systems and demonstrated that video games could be more than a passing trend.

3. Intellivision

Release Date: 1979
Original Price: $299
Adjusted Price: $1209
Units Sold: 3 million

During the initial phase of video game console development, numerous corporations were grappling with their identities and exploring the full extent of home gaming capabilities. Mattel, however, had a clear vision and aimed high with the Intellivision. This console was marketed as a more advanced alternative to the 2600, boasting superior graphics, sound, and an innovative controller that stood out from its competitors. The selection of games offered was predominantly strategic in nature, such as Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, catering to a more discerning audience and carving a unique path distinct from other contemporary consoles at the time.

In its debut at $299, the Intellivision was not primarily targeted towards budget-conscious consumers. If we were to compare this price to today’s standards, spending over $1200 on a gaming console would appear ludicrous. The exorbitant pricing of the Intellivision reflected Mattel’s vision for its position in the market. It was a high-end console with substantial technical aspirations that warranted premium pricing to cover the sophisticated internal components. This premium priced console offered stiff competition during the early days of consoles and significantly influenced innovation within the gaming scene, setting a high bar for what home consoles could offer.

2. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer

A Revolutionary Product For A Wallet-breaking Price

Release Date: 1993
Original Price: $699
Adjusted Price: $1531
Units Sold: 2 million

Console developers have always envisioned the future, striving to produce unique and trailblazing experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The 3DO epitomized this spirit. Supported by electronics titan Panasonic, it was not just a gaming console; it was an impressive milestone in technology, opening doors for numerous subsequent triumphs. Boasting multimedia capabilities, full-motion video, advanced 32-bit architecture that outpaced contemporary trends, and an eclectic collection of games like Gex and Road Rash, the 3DO explored the frontiers of what was feasible at the time, propelling the console realm into a fresh epoch.

Although it boasted several positive aspects, the console experienced difficulty in gaining substantial traction on store shelves. This was partly due to unstable third-party backing and a fractured hardware environment that seemed disjointed compared to rivals. Furthermore, the high price point didn’t aid sales, starting at $700 – almost double other consoles during that period, making it an undesirable choice for many consumers. The steep pricing was due to its open-licensing model, which enabled manufacturers to produce their own versions of the product, but this resulted in market confusion and limited availability, negatively impacting sales. Despite these challenges, the console remains a substantial milestone in the evolution of gaming, despite facing hurdles during its lifespan.

1. Neo Geo

A Small Fortune Indeed

Release Date: 1990
Original Price: $649
Adjusted Price: $1574
Units Sold: 1.18 million

In the core of every household during the ’90s gaming boom, the Neo Geo stood tall, specifically engineered for dedicated gamers seeking top-tier performance and willing to invest heavily. This bulky entertainment center-friendly arcade machine offered exceptional ports of iconic games like Metal Slug and Samurai Shodown, providing an unrivaled home gaming experience.

What truly made it stand out was its massive cartridges that overshadowed contemporary ones, along with a high-end, premium build that earned it the moniker as the Rolls-Royce of home gaming consoles.

In terms of inflation-adjusted cost, this particular individual home console is the most expensive ever produced, not typically considered an everyday purchase but rather a luxury for dedicated gamers aiming to enhance their gaming experience at home. The sales were modest, yet the product wasn’t intended for mass consumption; instead, it was designed as a high-end, eye-catching console that attracted a devoted following and generated significant interest within the fighting game community. At its peak, it was hailed as the ruler of home arcade systems.

2025-04-10 10:00