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Is The Nintendo Switch 2 Really That Expensive? A History Of Console Prices Over The Years
Nintendo has announced its next console, the Nintendo Switch 2. More than a mere upgrade from its predecessor, the new handheld console marks the next generation of Nintendo gaming. The new system supports up to 60fps in 4k resolution while docked, and an impressive 120fps in 1080p. Its new HD LCD display supports HDR and VRR, and a built-in chat system--that looks fairly similar to Discord, in terms of UI--resolves a long-standing gripe against Nintendo. In addition to these changes, the unit itself showcases markedly improved craftsmanship with its larger display, built-in microphone, heftier kickstand, and more intuitive Joy-Cons. The only downfall? Its price tag.The Nintendo Switch 2 currently costs $450, and that's assuming the Trump Administration's upcoming tariffs don't cause that number to grow even larger. A quick Google, Reddit, BlueSky, or X search will reveal that internet users aren't too happy about the cost, with many citing the Switch 2's steep game prices and the current state of the economy as major factors in their frustrations.However, some were quick to point out that, when adjusted for inflation, this $450 price point isn't out of the ordinary. So is the Nintendo Switch 2 egregiously pricey, or are we just forgetting how expensive consoles can be?Before we dig in, though, let's acknowledge how solely comparing console inflation doesn't tell a complete story. For example, it doesn't take into consideration factors such as software prices or the cost of a console's various accessories and peripherals. It also doesn't account for how disproportionately expensive life has gotten.Though the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's original price back in 1991 would equate to roughly $530 USD today, the average home cost half of what it does today--even when adjusted for inflation. It's also important to consider that the federal minimum wage in America still sits at $7.25 when, if properly adjusted for inflation, it should be closer to $17. When housing alone costs double and what we're earning is substantially less valuable, what we do with our money becomes even more precious. In short, expendable income ain't what it used to be, folks.As such, if the Nintendo is unreasonably expensive becomes a bit of a complex question, and I'm just a writer who loves video games, not an economist. I know my answer, but let's dive into some console history that might help you form your own. For those ready to make the plunge, be sure to check out our preorder guide before the console releases on June 5--though bear in mind that Nintendo has currently suspended preorders in the US in order to "assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions." Color TV-Game (1977)Original retail price: ¥9,800 JPYRetail price adjusted for inflation: ¥17,357 JPY or $117 USD Game & Watch (1980-1991)Original retail price: Prices vary, but averaged around £20 in 1983, according to a British newspaper ad.Retail price adjusted for inflation: £86, or around $110 USD Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)Original retail price: $180 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $534 USD Game Boy (1989)Original retail price: $90 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $232 USD Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1991)Original retail price: $200 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $469 Virtual Boy (1995)Original retail price: $180 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $377 USD PlayStation (1995)Original retail price: $300 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $628 USD Nintendo 64 (1996)Original retail price: $200 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $407 USD Game Boy Color (1998)Original retail price: $80 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $157 USD PlayStation 2 (2000)Original retail price: $300 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $556 USD Game Boy Advance (2001)Original retail price: $100 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $180 USD Xbox (2001)Original retail price: $300 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $541 USD Nintendo GameCube (2001)Original retail price: $200 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $361 USD Game Boy Advance SP (2003)Original retail price: $100 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $173 USD Nintendo DS (2004)Original retail price: $159 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $260 USD PlayStation 2 Slim (2004)Original retail price: $300 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $507 USD PlayStation Portable (2005)Original retail price: $250 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $408 USD Game Boy Micro (2005)Original retail price: $100 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $163 USD Xbox 360 (2005)Original retail price: Core $300 USD, 20 GB $400 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: Core $490 USD, 20 GB $654 Nintendo DS Lite (2006)Original retail price: $130 USDRetail price adjusted for inflation: $206 USD Nintendo Wii (2006)Original retail price: $250 USDRetail price adjusted for infl
Nintendo has announced its next console, the Nintendo Switch 2. More than a mere upgrade from its predecessor, the new handheld console marks the next generation of Nintendo gaming. The new system supports up to 60fps in 4k resolution while docked, and an impressive 120fps in 1080p. Its new HD LCD display supports HDR and VRR, and a built-in chat system--that looks fairly similar to Discord, in terms of UI--resolves a long-standing gripe against Nintendo. In addition to these changes, the unit itself showcases markedly improved craftsmanship with its larger display, built-in microphone, heftier kickstand, and more intuitive Joy-Cons. The only downfall? Its price tag.
The Nintendo Switch 2 currently costs $450, and that's assuming the Trump Administration's upcoming tariffs don't cause that number to grow even larger. A quick Google, Reddit, BlueSky, or X search will reveal that internet users aren't too happy about the cost, with many citing the Switch 2's steep game prices and the current state of the economy as major factors in their frustrations.
However, some were quick to point out that, when adjusted for inflation, this $450 price point isn't out of the ordinary. So is the Nintendo Switch 2 egregiously pricey, or are we just forgetting how expensive consoles can be?
Before we dig in, though, let's acknowledge how solely comparing console inflation doesn't tell a complete story. For example, it doesn't take into consideration factors such as software prices or the cost of a console's various accessories and peripherals. It also doesn't account for how disproportionately expensive life has gotten.
Though the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's original price back in 1991 would equate to roughly $530 USD today, the average home cost half of what it does today--even when adjusted for inflation. It's also important to consider that the federal minimum wage in America still sits at $7.25 when, if properly adjusted for inflation, it should be closer to $17. When housing alone costs double and what we're earning is substantially less valuable, what we do with our money becomes even more precious. In short, expendable income ain't what it used to be, folks.
As such, if the Nintendo is unreasonably expensive becomes a bit of a complex question, and I'm just a writer who loves video games, not an economist. I know my answer, but let's dive into some console history that might help you form your own. For those ready to make the plunge, be sure to check out our preorder guide before the console releases on June 5--though bear in mind that Nintendo has currently suspended preorders in the US in order to "assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions."
Color TV-Game (1977)
Original retail price: ¥9,800 JPY
Retail price adjusted for inflation: ¥17,357 JPY or $117 USD
Game & Watch (1980-1991)
Original retail price: Prices vary, but averaged around £20 in 1983, according to a British newspaper ad.
Retail price adjusted for inflation: £86, or around $110 USD
Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)
Original retail price: $180 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $534 USD
Game Boy (1989)
Original retail price: $90 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $232 USD
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1991)
Original retail price: $200 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $469
Virtual Boy (1995)
Original retail price: $180 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $377 USD
PlayStation (1995)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $628 USD
Nintendo 64 (1996)
Original retail price: $200 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $407 USD
Game Boy Color (1998)
Original retail price: $80 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $157 USD
PlayStation 2 (2000)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $556 USD
Game Boy Advance (2001)
Original retail price: $100 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $180 USD
Xbox (2001)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $541 USD
Nintendo GameCube (2001)
Original retail price: $200 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $361 USD
Game Boy Advance SP (2003)
Original retail price: $100 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $173 USD
Nintendo DS (2004)
Original retail price: $159 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $260 USD
PlayStation 2 Slim (2004)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $507 USD
PlayStation Portable (2005)
Original retail price: $250 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $408 USD
Game Boy Micro (2005)
Original retail price: $100 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $163 USD
Xbox 360 (2005)
Original retail price: Core $300 USD, 20 GB $400 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: Core $490 USD, 20 GB $654
Nintendo DS Lite (2006)
Original retail price: $130 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $206 USD
Nintendo Wii (2006)
Original retail price: $250 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $400 USD
PlayStation 3 (2006)
Original retail price: 20 GB $500 USD, 60 GB $600 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: 20 GB $791 USD, 60 GB $950 USD
Nintendo DSi (2008)
Original retail price: $150 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $222 USD
Nintendo DSi XL (2009)
Original retail price: $170 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $253 USD
PlayStation 3 Slim (2009)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $446 USD
Xbox 360 S (2010)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $439 USD
Nintendo 3DS (2011)
Original retail price: $250 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $355 USD
PlayStation Vita (2012)
Original retail price: $250 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $347 USD
PlayStation 3 Super Slim (2012)
Original retail price: $270 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $375 USD
Nintendo Wii U (2012)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $417 USD
Xbox 360 Elite (2013)
Original retail price: $480 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $657 USD
Nintendo 2DS (2013)
Original retail price: $130 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $178 USD
PlayStation 4 (2013)
Original retail price: $400 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $548 USD
Xbox One (2013)
Original retail price: $500 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $685 USD
New Nintendo 3DS XL (2015)
Original retail price: $200
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $269 USD
Xbox One S (2016)
Original retail price: 2 TB $400 USD, 1 TB $350, 500 GB $300
Retail price adjusted for inflation: 2 TB $532 USD, 1 TB $465 USD, 500 GB $399 USD
PlayStation 4 Slim (2016)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $399 USD
PlayStation 4 Pro (2016)
Original retail price: $400 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $532 USD
Nintendo Switch (2017)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $391 USD
New Nintendo 2DS XL (2017)
Original retail price: $150 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $195 USD
Xbox One X (2017)
Original retail price: $500 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $651 USD
Nintendo Switch Lite (2019)
Original retail price: $200 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $250 USD
Xbox Series S (2020)
Original retail price: $300 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $370 USD
Xbox Series X (2020)
Original retail price: $500 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $616 USD
PlayStation 5 (2020)
Original retail price: Base edition $500 USD, Digital edition $400 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: Base edition $616 USD, Digital edition $493 USD
Nintendo Switch OLED (2021)
Original retail price: $350 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $412 USD
PlayStation 5 Slim (2023)
Original retail price: $500 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $524 USD
PlayStation 5 Pro (2024)
Original retail price: $700 USD
Retail price adjusted for inflation: $712 USD
Nintendo Switch 2 (2025)
Original retail price: $450 USD
