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Forums - Gaming Discussion - Comparison of 1996 game and console prices to today.

Tamron on 28 July 2014
binary solo said:
What are you using as a reference for inflation?

In New Zealand PS4 is cheaper today then PS2 was when it launched, and that's without an inflation adjustment. When PS2 launched here is was about $1000. PS4 at launch was $650. I don't know what PS1 was when it launched. I was oblivious to consoles in 1996.

CPI data http://www.bls.gov/cpi/

All calculations are actually to 2013, as the 2014 data wont be available till august.



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baloofarsan on 28 July 2014

I was a dad 1996 and had to buy these things, DK64 nearly made me stop with gaming as it was too expensive.
Even if it was expensive then I have to say that nowdays there are a few additional costs that takes money away from gaming:

> Cost for smartphone monthly bill
> Cost for Internet
> Cost for XBL/PSN



Puppyroach on 28 July 2014

Yeah, nostalgia should be used to remember how good our old games were, not for the prices. I remember the Sega Saturn cost the equivalent of 399$ here in Sweden when it got released, and the games all cost around 49-59$. Now, on the new platforms, you can by awesome games for 10$ digitally, or even get the free!



prayformojo on 28 July 2014
Tamron said:

Since people tend to look back at previous generations and point to the prices being much cheaper, let's be accurate.

Console price in 1996: $199.99
1996's console price today after inflation: $293.28

Mario 64's 1996 price in 1996: $59.99
Mario 64's 1996 price price today after inflation: $87.97

Average PS4/WiiU/Xbox One game price today: $59.99
Average game price today would have been this much in 1996: $40.91

Console price in 1996: $199.99
1996's console price today after inflation: $293.28

Twisted Metal 2's price in 1996: $47.99
Twisted Metal 2's price today after inflation: $70.38

Average PS4/WiiU/Xbox One game price today: $59.99
Average game price today would have been this much in 1996: $40.91

Console price in 1996: $129.99
1996's console price today after inflation: $190.62

Street fighter Alpha 2's price in 1996: $69.99
Street fighter Alpha 2's price today after inflation: $102.64

Average PS4/WiiU/Xbox One game price today: $59.99
Average game price today would have been this much in 1996: $40.91

The hardware of today costs a little more, depending on which console you buy ($72 more in 1996, for xbox one and ps4 to be exact)
The WiiU at 1996 prices would actually be cheaper than the PS1 and N64, at only $177.30
Games, which people complain as being too expensive, are on every single platform, much cheaper than they were in 1996, anywhere from $10-$25 cheaper per game, across all platforms after inflation has been taken in to account.

the cheapest, 39.99 games of 1996, are more or less identical in price, to todays day one release date prices.


You're forgetting something critical...perception. No one cares about infaltion. They see a price, and put value on that price. When I had a PS1 back in it's heyday, I bought games for $40.00 full price. Then when PS2 launched, it jumped to $50.00. Then, when PS3 dropped, it was now $60.00. Consoles went from $200.00-$300.00 at launch to freakin' $400.00-$600.00!

People see these "numbers" and associate what they want. For the average consumer, when you see $200.00, it will always look better than $400.00 no matter HOW much inflation has taken place. It's basic human psychology.



Nettles on 28 July 2014

NES selling for 109.99 in 1991 is the same as a discounted Wii selling for 149 a couple of years ago.End of life, they are trying to get rid of them.Post images from the first year of release if you want to compare them to this generation.

Ditto SNES 1996.



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AZWification on 28 July 2014

Yeah... My parents always used to buy used copies of SNES and N64 games, because they were quite cheap! I also find funny how gamers complain about current game prices! I mean, seriously?



                
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Tamron on 28 July 2014
Nettles said:

NES selling for 109.99 in 1991 is the same as a discounted Wii selling for 149 a couple of years ago.End of life, they are trying to get rid of them.Post images from the first year of release if you want to compare them to this generation.

Ditto SNES 1996.

Who posted Nes?



Conina on 28 July 2014
Tamron said:

Since people tend to look back at previous generations and point to the prices being much cheaper, let's be accurate.

N64 Console price in 1996: $199.99
1996's console price today after inflation: $293.28

Mario 64's 1996 price in 1996: $59.99
Mario 64's 1996 price price today after inflation: $87.97

Average PS4/WiiU/Xbox One game price today: $59.99
Average game price today would have been this much in 1996: $40.91

 

PS1 Console price in 1996: $199.99
1996's console price today after inflation: $293.28

Twisted Metal 2's price in 1996: $47.99
Twisted Metal 2's price today after inflation: $70.38

Average PS4/WiiU/Xbox One game price today: $59.99
Average game price today would have been this much in 1996: $40.91

 

SNES Console price in 1996: $129.99
1996's console price today after inflation: $190.62

Street fighter Alpha 2's price in 1996: $69.99
Street fighter Alpha 2's price today after inflation: $102.64

Average PS4/WiiU/Xbox One game price today: $59.99
Average game price today would have been this much in 1996: $40.91

The hardware of today costs a little more, depending on which console you buy ($72 more in 1996, for xbox one and ps4 to be exact)
The WiiU at 1996 prices would actually be cheaper than the PS1 and N64, at only $177.30
Games, which people complain as being too expensive, are on every single platform, much cheaper than they were in 1996, anywhere from $10-$25 cheaper per game, across all platforms after inflation has been taken in to account. 

the cheapest, 39.99 games of 1996, are more or less identical in price, to todays day one release date prices.

 

PC price in 1996: $3000 - $4000
1996's PC price today after inflation: $4400 - $5900

Average PC price today:  $800 - $1200

Average PC game price in 1996: $40 - $50
Average PC game price today after inflation: $58 - 73$

Average PC game price today: $30 - $60  ($10 - $30 if you wait a few months)


 

 



bigjon on 28 July 2014

I remember most N64 games being 49.99(some were 59.99 though) new for some reason, same with PS2 and GC, it was not till Gen 7 that 59.99 became standard.

Maybe it was different other places though, back in the period I mention I lived in Virginia and Pennsylvania.



End of 2009 Predictions (Set, January 1st 2009)

Wii- 72 million   3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases

360- 37 million   Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak

PS3- 29 million  Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut

MoHasanie on 28 July 2014

I'm surprised game prices haven't risen yet. I complain about $60 being too much but its only fair that prices rise now. Maybe $80 will be fair.



    

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