This Is What the NES and Atari 2600 Would Cost Today: A Reality Check for Gamers Complaining About Switch 2 Price Tag?

With inflation hitting everything from groceries to graphics cards, it’s no surprise that gamers are side-eyeing the $449 price tag on the Nintendo Switch 2. But here’s the twist: consoles have always been expensive—especially when adjusted for inflation. From the Atari 2600 to the NES and beyond, what seemed affordable back then would cost a small fortune today. So before we break out the pitchforks, let’s put things in perspective.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• The Switch 2’s $449 launch price seems steep—until you realize the Atari 2600 would cost $1,012 today.

• Even the NES and SNES adjusted for inflation hit $503 and $460 respectively—more than the Switch 2.

• Modern consoles are cheaper in real terms, making the Switch 2 a deal by historical standards.

The Complaint: Switch 2’s $449 Price Tag

The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled at $449, has drawn ire from gamers bemoaning its cost, especially with inflation biting hard. Critics point to the original Switch’s $299 (2017) price, adjusted to $366 in 2025, arguing the jump is unjustified. But new console launches often carry premium prices, especially when viewed through a historical lens.

Magnavox Odyssey (1972)

• Original Price: $100

• Adjusted for 2025: $741

The first console ever made you pay the equivalent of over $700 for a couple of knobs and tennis.

Atari 2600 (1977)

• Original Price: $199

• Adjusted for 2025: $1,012

Let that sink in. Over a grand in today’s money for pixelated pong and a joystick.

NES (1985)

• Original Price: $180

• Adjusted for 2025: $503

A cultural icon, sure. But if the NES launched today, it’d still cost $54 more than the Switch 2.

SNES (1991)

• Original Price: $199

• Adjusted for 2025: $460

Beloved and legendary, yes—but also more expensive than the Switch 2 if launched today.

PlayStation (1994)

• Original Price: $299

• Adjusted for 2025: $606

A breakout hit, but your 1994 wallet would’ve needed deep pockets.

PlayStation 2 (2000)

• Original Price: $299

• Adjusted for 2025: $529

Still the best-selling console of all time, and still more expensive than today’s Switch 2.

Wii (2006)

• Original Price: $249

• Adjusted for 2025: $390

Cheaper than the Switch 2, yes—but also way less powerful.

Nintendo Switch (2017)

• Original Price: $299

• Adjusted for 2025: $366

Not too far off, but still under today’s asking price.

Nintendo Switch 2 (2025)

• Launch Price: $449

• Inflation Adjustment: Not applicable yet—it’s current.

For less than the adjusted cost of a SNES, NES, PS1 or Atari 2600, you get a hybrid console with modern graphics, OLED display, and games like Tears of the Kingdom 2.

The Reality Check: Inflation’s the Real Boss Fight

Gamers complaining about the Switch 2’s $449 might want to check their history. The Atari 2600’s $1,012, NES’s $503, and PlayStation’s $606 all top it. While the Wii and original Switch were lower in real terms, most consoles cost more when adjusted.

Inflation’s a real boss fight—and today’s gamers might actually have it relatively easy.

News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 28, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.