How much did the NES cost in today's money?
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The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released in 1985 at a price of $199.99 for the basic set, which included the console and one controller. If we adjust that price for inflation, here's how much it would cost in today's money:
Adjusting for Inflation
To account for inflation from 1985 to 2024, we use the U.S. inflation rate, which has varied over the years. As of 2024, the inflation-adjusted price for the $199.99 NES in 1985 is approximately:
- $199.99 in 1985 is about $500 to $600 in 2024 dollars.
This is based on an inflation rate of about 2.5% annually over the past 40 years.
Context of the Price
- In 1985, the average price of a new car was around $9,000, and the average home price was approximately $89,000.
- So, the NES console was quite an investment for the average consumer at the time. However, it became a huge success and helped to revive the video game industry after the 1983 video game crash.
Conclusion
If the NES were released today at the same price point as it was in 1985, it would likely cost around $500 to $600. When factoring in production advancements and changes in technology, however, modern consoles may have a similar or higher price but with significantly more capabilities than the original NES.
