Although these are easy to do yourself, this was already compiled by CSDB.gg, so I figured it would be fun to share anyway:
- SNK’s Neo Geo would be the most expensive console at $1,567.45
- However, SNK also makes the bottom of the list with its Neo Geo Pocket Color
- Despite being one of the biggest gaming companies in the world, Nintendo doesn’t make the top five
A new study has revealed how much you’d have to spend to buy classic consoles if they were released in 2025.
CS2 Experts at CSDB.gg examined the original prices for consoles sold between 1977 and 2000, including the Neo Geo and PlayStation. They analyzed inflation rates to determine their current worth.
In total, there were 27 systems from a variety of brands, with some appearing on the list more than once.
The highest price was SNK’s Neo Geo. When it was released in 1990, it cost gamers $649. In 2025, it would set you back by an eye-watering $1,567.45.
However, you could get a Neo Geo Pocket Color for much less, so inexpensive that it comes in last on the list at 27th. The much smaller console cost just $69.00 at the time of its release in 1999 and would cost $130.74 in 2025.
Other consoles in the top five most expensive in 2025 dollars include 3DO’s 3DO Interactive Multiplayer for $1,526.98, which originally cost $699, Mattel’s Intellivision for $1,145.43 which sold for $299 in 1980, and two Atari consoles: the 1977 Atari 2600 that was then priced at $199 and the $249 5200, released in 1982.
In 2025, the Atari consoles would cost $1,036.59 and $879.93 respectively.
A brand that appears more than once on the list but fails to make it to the top five is gaming giant Nintendo. The Japan-based brand released six consoles between 1985 and 2000, with the most expensive being their original Nintendo Entertainment System.
In today’s money, it would cost $583.80 while the retail price when it was released in 1985 was just $199.
Nintendo’s rival SEGA also appears on the list with multiple releases.
The 1995 SEGA Saturn and 1986 Master System sit in sixth and ninth place, respectively.
SEGA Saturn cost $399 in 1995 but would be a hefty $826.44 today, while the Master System cost $200 but would retail for $300 more in 2025 at $576.03.
Other consoles to make the list include the first two editions of Sony’s PlayStation, with the second installment costing more today than it did when it was released in 2000.
It cost $299 24 years ago, but today, it would retail for $548.10, a $300 increase.
| Rank | Brand | Console | Release year | Original price (USD) | 2025 price (USD) |
| 1 | SNK | Neo Geo | 1990 | $649.00 | $1,567.45 |
| 2 | 3DO | 3DO Interactive Multiplayer | 1993 | $699.00 | $1,526.98 |
| 3 | Mattel | Intellivision | 1980 | $299.00 | $1,145.43 |
| 4 | Atari | Atari 2600 | 1977 | $199.00 | $1,036.59 |
| 5 | Atari | Atari 5200 | 1982 | $269.00 | $879.93 |
| 6 | SEGA | SEGA Saturn | 1995 | $399.00 | $826.44 |
| 7 | NEC | TurboExpress | 1990 | $249.00 | $601.38 |
| 8 | Nintendo | Nintendo Entertainment System | 1985 | $199.00 | $583.80 |
| 9 | SEGA | Master System | 1986 | $200.00 | $576.03 |
| 10 | Coleco | ColecoVision | 1982 | $175.00 | $572.45 |
| 11 | Sony | PlayStation 2 | 2000 | $299.00 | $548.10 |
| 12 | Atari | Atari Jaguar | 1993 | $249.00 | $543.95 |
| 13 | Hudson Soft & Nec Home Electronics | TurboGrafx-16 | 1989 | $199.00 | $506.59 |
| 14 | SEGA | SEGA Genesis | 1989 | $189.00 | $481.13 |
| 15 | Nintendo | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | 1991 | $199.00 | $461.21 |
| 16 | Atari | Atari Lynx | 1989 | $179.00 | $455.68 |
| 17 | Nintendo | Nintendo 64 | 1996 | $199.00 | $400.36 |
| 18 | Atari | Atari 7800 | 1986 | $139.00 | $400.34 |
| 19 | SEGA | Dreamcast | 1999 | $199.00 | $377.05 |
| 20 | SEGA | SEGA Nomad | 1995 | $180.00 | $372.83 |
| 20 | Sony | PlayStation | 1995 | $299.00 | $372.83 |
| 21 | Nintendo | Virtual Boy | 1995 | $179.00 | $370.76 |
| 22 | SEGA | GameGear | 1991 | $149.00 | $345.33 |
| 23 | Nintendo | Game Boy | 1989 | $89.00 | $226.57 |
| 24 | Tiger | Game.com | 1997 | $69.00 | $135.71 |
| 25 | Nintendo | Game Boy Color | 1998 | $69.00 | $133.62 |
| 26 | SNK | Neo Geo Pocket Color | 1999 | $69.00 | $130.74 |
Corey Sims at CSDB.gg said, “It’s no surprise some of these iconic consoles are on the list, such as the PlayStation and SEGA Genesis. However, it is unbelievable how much some of them would cost today based on inflation.
“Given the high costs of consoles like the Neo Geo and 3DO Interactive Multiplayer today, it will be interesting to see how much modern systems like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 might cost in the future.”
Methodology:
The original prices of various consoles were found on https://www.inflationstation.net/.
Calculator.net was then used to determine the inflation rate between a console release year and October 2024.
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