The PS5 Pro is about to land at $699 (799.99 euros), a price that makes people cringe. But were consoles really cheaper before? Immerse yourself in 50 years of price history, inflation included.
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s talk a little about inflation. This economic phenomenon which means that $100 in 1977 is not worth the same thing as $100 in 2024 is essential to understand the real evolution of prices.
To put it simply: $199 in 1977 is equivalent to about $1,020 today. This data is essential to fairly compare the prices of consoles over time.
Historical records
Contrary to what one might think, the PS5 Pro and its price of $699 is far from being the most expensive console in history, once inflation is taken into account. This title goes to the legendary Neo Geo from SNK, launched in 1990 at $649, the equivalent of $1552 today! An astronomical price which was explained by its cutting-edge technology, capable of running arcade games at home.
The silver medal goes to the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, sold for $699 in 1993 ($1,510 today). This console developed by Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts, aimed to revolutionize the market… before becoming one of the biggest failures in the history of video games.
At the other end of the spectrum, we find Nintendo’s Game Boy Color, marketed at just $79 in 1998 ($153 today), proof that Nintendo has always been able to offer affordable consoles when needed.
The PS5 Pro in historical context
With its $699, the PS5 Pro is indeed at the top of the basket of modern consoles. However, this price remains lower, in adjusted value, than that of the PS3 which cost $499 in 2006 (or $780 today). This comparison shows that Sony has already charged higher prices in the past.
What’s more striking is the price gap with the standard PS5 ($499) and PS4 Pro ($399). This significant increase marks a change in strategy at Sony, which seems to want to position the PS5 Pro as a truly premium product.
In short, while the price of the PS5 Pro may seem high, history shows us that high-end consoles have often been very expensive products. The difference today perhaps lies more in the diversification of the offer, with more affordable options like the Xbox Series S ($299) which coexist with models whose prices are very steep.
To go further
PS5 Pro: Sony’s premium console is available for pre-order today
