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Sony has announced the next iteration of the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation 5 Pro. The mid-generation upgrade packs a powerful punch, offering a "GPU that has 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5 console and 28% faster memory," according to PlayStation system architect Mark Cerny. He went on to say that the PS5 Pro will come close to "doubling the power of the PS5," making it the "most powerful console" Sony has ever made and enhancing how the PS5 games you know and love look. The only downfall? Its hefty price tag. The PlayStation 5 Pro costs a whopping $700--and that's not including a disc drive or a vertical stand, both of which are sold separately. A quick Google, Reddit, or X search will reveal that internet users aren't too happy about the cost, with many citing the PlayStation 5's lack of enticing titles, continuously diminishing returns on technological advancements, and the current state of the economy as major factors in their frustrations. However, some were quick to point out that, when adjusted for inflation, this $700 price point isn't too out of the ordinary. So is the PlayStation 5 Pro egregiously pricey, or are we just forgetting how expensive consoles can be? Before we dig in, though, let's acknowledge how solely comparing console inflation doesn't tell a complete story. For example, it doesn't take into consideration factors such as software prices or the cost of a console's various accessories and peripherals. It also doesn't account for how disproportionately expensive life has gotten. Though the Super Nintendo Entertainment System's original price back in 1991 would equate to roughly $460 USD today, the average home cost half of what it does today--even when adjusted for inflation. It's also important to consider that the federal minimum wage in America still sits at $7.25 when, if properly adjusted for inflation, it should be closer to $12.50. When housing alone cost double and what we're earning is 75% less valuable, what we do with our money becomes even more precious. In short, expendable income ain't what it used to be, folks. So, is the PlayStation 5 Pro absurdly expensive? It's a complex question and I'm just a writer who loves video games, not an economist. I know my answer, but let's dive into some console history that might help you form your own. For those ready to make the plunge, be sure to preorder your PS5 Pro before it launches on November 7.
Color TV-Game (1977)
Original retail price: ¥9,800 JPY Retail price adjusted for inflation: ¥16,970 JPY or $120 USD
Game & Watch (1980-1991)
Original retail price: Prices vary, but averaged around £20 in 1983, according to a British newspaper ad. Retail price adjusted for inflation: £66, or around $86 USD
Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)
Original retail price: $179.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $526.15 USD
Game Boy (1989)
Original retail price: $89.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $228.27 USD
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1991)
Original retail price: $199.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $461.86
Virtual Boy (1995)
Original retail price: $179.95 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $371.40 USD
PlayStation (1995)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $617.11 USD
Nintendo 64 (1996)
Original retail price: $199.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $400.92 USD
Game Boy Color (1998)
Original retail price: $79.95 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $154.28 USD
PlayStation 2 (2000)
Original retail price: $299 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $546.15 USD
Game Boy Advance (2001)
Original retail price: $99.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $177.69 USD
Xbox (2001)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $533.10 USD
Nintendo GameCube (2001)
Original retail price: $199 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $353.64 USD
Game Boy Advance SP (2003)
Original retail price: $99.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $170.93 USD
Nintendo DS (2004)
Original retail price: $149.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $249.75 USD
PlayStation 2 Slim (2004)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $499.52 USD
PlayStation Portable (2005)
Original retail price: $249.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $402.62 USD
Game Boy Micro (2005)
Original retail price: $99.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $161.04 USD
Xbox 360 (2005)
Original retail price: Core $299.99 USD, 20 GB $399.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: Core $483.15 USD, 20 GB $644.20
Nintendo DS Lite (2006)
Original retail price: $129.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $202.81 USD
Nintendo Wii (2006)
Original retail price: $249.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $390.04 USD
PlayStation 3 (2006)
Original retail price: 20 GB $499.99 USD, 60 GB $599.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: 20 GB $780.09 USD, 60 GB $936.12 USD
Nintendo DSi (2008)
Original retail price: $149.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $219.12 USD
Nintendo DSi XL (2009)
Original retail price: $169.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $249.23 USD
PlayStation 3 Slim (2009)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $439.83 USD
Xbox 360 S (2010)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $432.73 USD
Nintendo 3DS (2011)
Original retail price: $249.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $349.57 USD
PlayStation Vita (2012)
Original retail price: $249.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $342.48 USD
PlayStation 3 Super Slim (2012)
Original retail price: $269.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $370.18 USD
Nintendo Wii U (2012)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $411.32 USD
Xbox 360 Elite (2013)
Original retail price: $479.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $648.61 USD
Nintendo 2DS (2013)
Original retail price: $129.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $175.66 USD
PlayStation 4 (2013)
Original retail price: $399.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $540.51 USD
Xbox One (2013)
Original retail price: $499.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $675.64 USD
New Nintendo 3DS XL (2015)
Original retail price: $199.99 Retail price adjusted for inflation: $265.62 USD
Xbox One S (2016)
Original retail price: 2 TB $399.99 USD, 1 TB $349.99, 500 GB $299.99 Retail price adjusted for inflation: 2 TB $524.63 USD, 1 TB $459.05 USD, 500 GB $393.47 USD
PlayStation 4 Slim (2016)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $393.47 USD
PlayStation 4 Pro (2016)
Original retail price: $399.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $524.63 USD
Nintendo Switch (2017)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $385.26 USD
New Nintendo 2DS XL (2017)
Original retail price: $149.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $192.63 USD
Xbox One X (2017)
Original retail price: $499.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $642.11 USD
Nintendo Switch Lite (2019)
Original retail price: $199.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $246.25 USD
Xbox Series S (2020)
Original retail price: $299.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $364.88 USD
Xbox Series X (2020)
Original retail price: $499.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $608.15 USD
PlayStation 5 (2020)
Original retail price: Base edition $499.99 USD, Digital edition $399.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: Base edition $608.15 USD, Digital edition $486.51 USD
Nintendo Switch OLED (2021)
Original retail price: $349.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $406.60 USD
PlayStation 5 Slim (2023)
Original retail price: $499.99 USD Retail price adjusted for inflation: $516.55 USD
PlayStation 5 Pro (2024)
Original retail price: $699.99 USD
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