Charting the seven seas of video gaming [Update 1]

by Conrad Quilty-Harper { May 17th 2006 at 3:55PM }

We referenced this in an earlier post, but it's such a brilliantly useful idea that we thought it deserved a post of its own. Curmudgeon Gamer posted a chart that maps out the price of 26 major game consoles at launch, showing both the sticker price and the relative price today. It's a great idea (that I wish I had thought of) that puts the Xbox 360 and PS3's prices in perspective. If you think in terms of relative pricing, Nintendo has been reducing the launch price of its consoles for the last 20 years. Will it continue that trend with a $200 Wii?

Read - Absolute Console Prices
Read - Relative Console Prices

Update: We've hosted the image on our own servers to save Curmudgeon Gamer's bandwidth. Check out the read links above for the charts.

Tags: $200, Console Prices, ConsolePrices, Curmudgeon Gamer, CurmudgeonGamer, Microsoft, Nintendo, Playstation 3, Playstation3, PS3, Sony, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

patrick @ May 17th 2006 4:02PM

i dont think anyone is saying that 5-600 is the highest price ever. but it is third place. and, umm, look at how well the 3DO and the neo-geo did.

Uglypimp @ May 17th 2006 4:04PM

How is this chart even worth looking at when inflation isn't factored in? A neo geo at 600 dollars would certainly be a lot more if sold today at the equivicable price.

Jeff @ May 17th 2006 4:05PM

And the reason Nintendo's been reducing prices is that they've purposely stayed behind the technology curve. This is good and bad, but it explains why real prices for consoles haven't dropped across the board as they have in some other categories of electronics (anti-inflation theorists will tell you that all categories of electronics *except* consoles have gotten cheaper, but tell that to all those people buying $5,000 plasma TV's).

If you want the latest and greatest tech, you'll pay for it. What this graph shows, though, is that you're not really paying any more for the latest and greatest tech than you were 20 years ago. So quit your bitchin'. The reason why Nintendo's systems have been dropping in inflation-adjusted price, just like prices for DVD players and VCR's, is because the tech they're using is no longer cutting-edge.

Uglypimp @ May 17th 2006 4:05PM

Blah, change equivicable to equivocal ;). Sorry, multitasking and spelling is not my friend.

Jeff @ May 17th 2006 4:06PM

btw, Uglypimp: follow the links. One chart is absolute, one relative. The relative one is inflation-adjusted.

AoE @ May 17th 2006 4:06PM

I question the accuracy of the chart... I paid $300 for the Saturn at launch, and $300 for the Dreamcast at launch, so I know they're off on the pricing for both of those at the very least...

JodyAnthony @ May 17th 2006 4:08PM

"2. How is this chart even worth looking at when inflation isn't factored in? A neo geo at 600 dollars would certainly be a lot more if sold today at the equivicable price.

Posted at 4:04PM on May 17th 2006 by Uglypimp 1 star"

BAM!

http://curmudgeongamer.com/media/console-prices-relative.pdf

Clint @ May 17th 2006 4:09PM

Yawn...I'm glad I can afford the best. That's why I'm buying a PS3. Sorry to all the nerds here who can only afford a wee.

Derbeste @ May 17th 2006 4:12PM

If you're so rich, you'd think you could have afforded a better education. Go back to your freinds. I'm sure you're paying them by the hour.

copa @ May 17th 2006 4:13PM

Sony's pricing strategy is brilliant. Imagine if they entered the fast-food industry:

Cashier: Welcome to Sony Burger World, how may I help you?

Customer: I'd like a cheeseburger, hold the onions. That's all.

Cashier: No problem, you're order will be out shortly.

Customer: So, how much do I owe you?

Cashier: I'm not going to say right now.

Customer: Excuse me?

Cashier: But I will tell you this. This is a really nice burger, and your family is going to need to save up for a long time to afford this burger.

Customer: For a burger?

Cashier: A Sony burger, yes.

Customer: When will it be ready?

Cashier: In 30 seconds.

Customer: How can that be? You haven't even handed the order back to the kitchen yet! Nobody's even working the grill right now.

Cashier: It will be ready in 30 seconds.

Customer: I can see your cook in the kitchen right now. He's not cooking, he's on the phone! It is not physically possible for my burger to be ready in 30 seconds!

Cashier: It will be ready in 30 seconds.

Customer: (Pause) OK, it's been 30 seconds. Where's my burger?

Cashier: You're burger will be ready in 15 minutes. We had unforeseen supply problems with the ingredients.

Customer: Jesus Christ! Look, just tell me how much my burger costs or I'm cancelling my order.

Cashier: Your burger will be 600 dollars.

Customer: 600 dollars.

Cashier: Yes, sir. Will you be paying cash or credit?

Customer: That's too much to pay for a burger.

Cashier: Not for a quality burger. This one comes with a solid gold salt shaker, that retails elsewhere for $1,000.

Customer: I don't want a solid gold salt shaker.

Cashier: We want you to want a solid gold salt shaker. We want every family to own and use a solid gold salt shaker.

Customer: I'm not paying $600 for a burger.

Cashier: But look at everything that comes WITH the burger! When you add up the cost of the burger and the salt shaker, you're getting an incredible deal!

Customer: Let me see that shaker... Come on, in three years you'll be able to get this thing for less than $200.

Cashier: Yes, but right now it retails for $1,000 elsewhere, so you are getting excellent value for your money!

Customer: $600 is too much to pay for a burger.

Cashier: Price and value are too different things, sir. You are getting excellent value.

Customer: So you don't have a cheaper burger?

Cashier: Yes, we have a $500 basic burger.

Customer: A basic burger.

Cashier: Yes, it's the same hamburger, but the salt shaker that comes with it is made of aluminum.

Customer: So for $500 I get the hamburger and the shaker, except that the shaker is worthless.

Cashier: Yes, but you'll be saving $100! It's a very smart choice for the cash-conscious consumer.

Customer: Dude, will you get a grip? A 'cash-conscious consumer' is not going to spend hundreds of dollars for a burger!

Cashier: Sir, I saw the car you drove up in. You spent at least $20,000 on that. I'm sure your home cost even more. If spending $600 on a hamburger is going to ruin you financially, then you have some serious problems managing your money, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Customer: Spending $600 is not going to ruin me financially. I just think it's too much to spend on a hamburger.

Cashier: Why are you so obsessed with the cost? I've been trying to talk to you about our delicious hamburger, made with 100% Angus Beef, and our lovingly sculpted gold salt shaker, that everyone is going to want this holiday season. Yet all you do is carp about price, price, price. Can you think about anything other than money for a minute?

Customer: I'm sorry, I guess you're right. There are certainly more important things in this world than money.

Cashier: Apology accepted. Now pay me $600 for your burger.

Customer: Goddamnit, this is ridiculous! I'm going somewhere else for lunch.

Cashier: That's pretty much what I would have expected from a McDonald's fanboy.

Customer: I despise McDonald's. I never eat there. I just don't want to spend $600 for a hamburger.

Cashier: Anyone who complains about Sony Burger prices is a McDonald's fanboy!

Customer #2: Uh, I think $600 is too much to pay for a burger, too.

Cashier: Oh, well, here you go, ma'am! It's a special gift for a special McDonald's fangirl! Some red-and-white striped kneepads so that you'll be more comfortable when you're servicing Ronald!

Customer #2: That's totally out of line!

Cashier: Here's a red clown nose, too! Wearing this gets Ronald off faster, so you won't have to spend so much time with his clown schlong down your...

[Customers leave.]

OK, well, maybe it doesn't work so well with food.

Mike @ May 17th 2006 4:13PM

"Blah, change equivicable to equivocal ;). Sorry, multitasking and spelling is not my friend."

Equivocal - open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead; "an equivocal statement"; "the polling had a complex and equivocal (or ambiguous) message for potential female candidates"; "the officer's equivocal behavior increased the victim's uneasiness"; "popularity is an equivocal crown"; "an equivocal response to an embarrassing question"

I don't think "equivocal" is the word you want to use either.

Equivalent - a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc; "send two dollars or the equivalent in stamps"

"Equivalent" comes close, but I don't think that's the right word either. How about just replacing the word "equivicable" with "same"? ;)

ejflex @ May 17th 2006 4:13PM

Clint,

I could have enough $ to buy your life... sell you to god at a discount and then buy you back again... and I'm still buying a Wii. How much money someone has is irrelevant. It's how much someone is willing to spend.
PS I am well aware that my first few sentences didnt make all that much sense... deal with it.
I may just buy PS3 as well.. jsut to spite you.

patrick @ May 17th 2006 4:14PM

#7

yawn... i'm glad i can afford the best! that's why i'm buying a 3do.

yawn... i'm glad i can afford the best! that's why i'm buying a neo-geo.

yawn... i'm glad i can afford the best! that's why i'm buying a psp.

yawn... i'm glad i can afford the best! that's why i'm buying a betamax player.

yawn... i'm glad i can afford the best! that's why i'm buying a memory stick.

killploki @ May 17th 2006 4:15PM

I've had a panasonic 3do since the year it launched and it was amzing at the time. I never knew how much my parents paid for it back then, but i'll trade someone my 3d0 and box of 30-something games straight up for a 360! Your chance to own a piece of failed game platform history!

did i mention i also have a dreamcast sitting around...

Mike @ May 17th 2006 4:16PM

Copa... That... was the funniest... thing... ever...

2 stars for Copa, please.

Momus @ May 17th 2006 4:19PM

3 stars for copa!

Derbeste @ May 17th 2006 4:19PM

@Copa

Best post I've ever read on Joystiq. You almost got me in trouble at work. LOL

idiots @ May 17th 2006 4:20PM

#3 - what this graph shows is that consoles above $400 (inflation adjusted) are not successful. So enjoy the next NeoGeo, while the rest of us get a 360 and/or a Wii.

riffgod @ May 17th 2006 4:20PM

By this chart, due to inflation, the price of the xbox 360 is already $6-9 cheaper than it was at launch.

It's a great comparison chart. Obviously, there are other factors to take into consideration when viewing these prices, but it puts things into relative perspective.

Not that this is a prediction or anything, but more of an observation. If you notice the most popular consoles that were also considered successes stayed at about the same height on the relative prices chart. Also, the PS3 does not fit that relative height. It is above it. Maybe Sony should have taken a look at this chart before they built a machine that they are forced to sell for $600.

I think the biggest thing to take into consideration when looking at this data is the role that video games had in society at the time. How it was viewed. Definitely video games were looked at different 25 years ago than they are today and the public's perception is sure to effect their value, and in turn what is deemed an acceptable price at the time. I suppose we will see how the public views Sony this fall.

Ryan @ May 17th 2006 4:23PM

Sony is not in good company up there above $500.

l @ May 17th 2006 4:27PM

Try linking directly to their page, not their images, you article writer. It's like 1998-era web etiquette, come the fuck on.

Eric @ May 17th 2006 4:27PM

Did you know if the nationwide minimum wage went up as it should be compared to what higher ups are getting in companies, it should be $22.xx now.

The minimum wage now nationwide is somewhere in the $5.15 and slightly higher in California... so, PS3 is still way expensive. The purchasing power is less than what it was 40 years ago.

So, I'm saying we should urge congress/president to raise the minimum wage. (which is totally unrelated to this) :)

Sagan @ May 17th 2006 4:28PM

Both copa and patrick had some very valid points in there. I don't want a solid gold salt shaker, and I'm not sure yet whether I want Blu-ray or not. (and I don't want to pay for it) I will maybe buy a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player in 2-3 years. Not before that.

MosquitoControl @ May 17th 2006 4:30PM

"8. Yawn...I'm glad I can afford the best. That's why I'm buying a PS3. Sorry to all the nerds here who can only afford a wee."

You fail to realize how much this will hurt you.

Sure, you can buy it. But if many other people can't buy it, there will be less consoles sold. Less consoles sold mean less games made. It will give developers incentive to focus on other systems.

So you can say "I can afford it, that's all that matters," but it's really shallow thinking with no forethought.

And copa, nice, but you left out the part about how you can get a solid gold saltshaker now, but no salt for quite some time.

Bloo @ May 17th 2006 4:30PM

"I question the accuracy of the chart... I paid $300 for the Saturn at launch, and $300 for the Dreamcast at launch, so I know they're off on the pricing for both of those at the very least..."

Saturn *was* $400 at it's initial launch (Socal/Chicago I believe) after E3 (I paid $400 myself for it). Full nationwide launch a few months later was $300.

Paul P. @ May 17th 2006 4:34PM

Hey Eric,

Good idea, but it doesn't go far enough. Why don't we raise the minimum wage to something like $200 an hour? That way everybody in America can afford a house, a car, and anything they want! That would be great!

Edmund @ May 17th 2006 4:38PM

Wow, I guess now we all know Sony has nothing to worry about. The PS3 is sure to be as successful as the Neo-Geo, the CD-I, and the Saturn. By the way, what's an SNES?

To Clint: You're not very good with money, are you? I am, which is why I won't be spending it on a PS3.

To Patrick and Copa: Those were great posts.

Derbeste @ May 17th 2006 4:52PM

"Cashier: You're burger will be ready in 15 minutes. We had unforeseen supply problems with the ingredients."

Ironically, that ingredient is the salt shaker that you can't get salt for and no one wants with their burger anyway.

J. Gonzo @ May 17th 2006 4:54PM

Copa - That was genius.

Lets not forget - back in the day, a game console actually came with a game. NES even had a robotic operating buddy. Nowdays, you have to expect to spend at least a couple hundred extra on games and peripherals to get up and running. Factor that in and the current and next get consoles are even more pricey in comparison.

32_footsteps @ May 17th 2006 4:57PM

Yeah, give Copa some credit for that. Best post I've seen on the subject so far.

Want to make this chart really interesting, though? Redo the chart, but this time factor out how much it would be at the console's launch to buy the console, a game, and two controllers. Throw in a memory card for those consoles that use them.

This won't affect the listed prices for older consoles like the Super Nintendo or the Genesis. But it will show how much you would have to pay to get the same deals as were standard back then.

I wonder, what would a similar list with portables look like?

SuperUser @ May 17th 2006 5:04PM

Yeah!
I've already bought the most expensive console (3DO) of all times - so there is absolutely no point to buy a PS3. I'm gonna get a Wii!

Derbeste @ May 17th 2006 5:05PM

So basically what you're saying then, is that now we have a $600 burger.....and the bun is extra.

The Guru @ May 17th 2006 5:30PM

Copa,

I too thought your post was both funny as well as very true. Excellent post/comparison.

BPM? @ May 17th 2006 5:39PM

Eric:
"So, I'm saying we should urge congress/president to raise the minimum wage. (which is totally unrelated to this) :)"

You know what will happen if the federal minimum wage rises? Prices will go up, too. Afterall, businesses still need to make money, and you think the higher ups are gonna take a hit in their paycheck so the minimum wage workers can have a more livable salary? NOT A CHANCE.

You raise minimum wage, you raise the costs of everything at the same time, too. The only reason why California has a higher minimum wage than elsewhere is because the cost of living is higher there, too.

In the end, raising minimum wage doesn't help at all. Sad, but true.

Mutsch @ May 17th 2006 5:42PM

Is anybody realizing here that after all the hardware is not draining your pockets but the games? Any by the way, we are not talking razors here. I am so tired of all of this BS. Get all your friggen remotes and play tennis ...

daddycool @ May 17th 2006 5:44PM

BWAAHAHAHAAHHAAAHHHAA!!!!!! McDonald's fanboy!! That was funny as hell!! That's classic! You gotta give this guy like 6 stars come on!

Miles Teg @ May 17th 2006 6:01PM

Copa, though I'm pro-PS3 I found your comment very funny, thanks.

I think the charts may illustrate that there is a limit in which people are prepared to pay for a console & $600 today seems to be well within that. I would be interested to know how well the 3DO & Neo-Geo did worldwide, I never saw either here in the UK. What is clear is that a low priced console @ launch is no guarantee of success either. Look at the low priced Atari Jaguar, Nintendo 64 & Sega Dreamcast - they all bombed. Obviously it would be nice to be able to compare these charts with an overall unit sold chart, to look at the effects of pricing if there are any.

To be honest having the most superior product does not always guarantee success either. Look at Laserdisc for example, introduced in the late 70's & superior to VHS but it failed to take off.

Maybe its a balancing act between having the right product, at the right price, at the right time, plus clever promoting & luck :)

Ad @ May 17th 2006 6:19PM

"What is clear is that a low priced console @ launch is no guarantee of success either"

Thats true although the Gamecube is the cheapest console of all time and has done pretty well. ($2billion profit)

I too would like to see a chart showing how much it is to get a console up and running at launch. Noone just buys the console so how much is the console, 1 extra controller, one memory card and one game?

Ninegauger @ May 17th 2006 6:33PM

I'd hardly say the N64 "bombed"... it beat the Saturn and probably did better than the Gamecube and Xbox did against the Playstation brand.

I think the graph shows that however you look at it Sony has priced the PS3 higher than the real successes and we'll see how that plays out but I just don't see anyone that hasn't already owned a Playstation buying one at that price and I definitely see them losing market share but I suppose we'll see.

Splorky_Fish @ May 17th 2006 6:50PM

Even if this chart made me agree that $600 is, historically speaking, a reasonable price (it doesn't), moms and dads will be scared off by such a huge price tag.

Sure, my Final Fantasy addict friend with a full-time job will find a way to scrape it together. However, Sony will lose sales because of the price even within the demographic of 20+ year olds who are financially independent.

The difference between a gourmet restaurant and a console manufacturer is that the restaurant makes all its profits on sales. The console manufacturer makes most of its money through the sale of licensed games. By the logic of Ken Kutaragi?s own ridiculous analogy, he is embracing the worst possible business model. Console manufacturers, because of the need for a large installed base, should be like Taco Bell; producing and selling as much inexpensive, low-quality fare as possible in order to encourage developers to produce and sell more games for their platforms. As proof, look how financially successful the mobile gaming industry has been.

Princess Zelda @ May 17th 2006 7:11PM

Copa, Thank You.

I've been thinking the same thing all week. $600 is just to much for a burger (Console) I don't care what extra's it has because at it's core it is a gaming console not a value priced Blue Ray player.

I remember saving my every penny for my SNES when I was 13 it cost me $200 and came with two controllers, Super Mario World and all the wires needed to hook it up. Also the hardware was made with quality components that still work today. That's what I call value, not what's being offered by Sony.

LaughingTarget @ May 17th 2006 7:36PM

What I would like to see is a graph comparing launch price with end-cycle sales numbers. That would be a better comparison to make in this whole argument.

frank fink @ May 17th 2006 8:46PM

I like everyone complaining about the price. What I would really like to see is the same chart in canadian dollars. I believe the PS2 retailed for $500 canadian at launch... thanks to a stronger dollar today, the PS3 will be $50 more.

Of course, like always, I will wait a year for big price drops and pick up the console with the games I want to play.

LongshotX @ May 17th 2006 10:38PM

PS3 is a Golden Dildo. Anybody who buys it, is fucking themselves.

Kiiiiiiirby @ May 18th 2006 1:07AM

The PS3 DID launch at $500 during its premiere in canada, though it is still expensive for the modern gamer. It's funny because I bought a 3D0 and a Saturn for $45 (total with 3 games)at this game place. How the times have changed

Loque @ May 18th 2006 2:34AM

Dreamcast was $200 at launch.

I'm a broke college kid who is going to be working full time over the summer typing numbers into a computer. Do you really think I can spend 2-4 paychecks (after half of each paycheck goes towards room & board, thank god my parents are helping) on a system that costs $600?
When I'm not even sure it will succeed?
Nobody has a clue how well blu-ray will do. Nobody has a clue how well HD-DVD will do. Microsoft wins because theirs is an attachment. If you want to play HD-DVDs, you have that choice. Unlike the blu-ray, it isn't shoved down your throat.

That's the beauty of the wii. >300 price point for a system that's bound to be a crapload-fun time, due to cheap dev kits and virtual console. Risking
>300 is alot better to me than risking $600.

Don't forget Sony is notorious for faulty products at launch, and massive shortages that equate to you got one of the few, but it's broken. You can't get it fixed, because there aren't enough as it is.