How much did a Nintendo cost in 1985?

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released in North America on October 18, 1985, at a retail price of $149.99. This iconic console was initially priced at $179 for the Deluxe Set, but the price was later adjusted to make it more competitive in the market, with the Action Set being introduced in 1988 for $109.99, which included the Control Deck, two controllers, an NES Zapper, and a dual Game Pak containing both Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. How much did a Nintendo cost in 1988? The Action Set, released on April 14, 1988, was priced at $109.99 and included the Control Deck, two controllers, an NES Zapper, and a dual Game Pak containing both Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt.
2. How much was a Nintendo in 1986? The NES was initially priced at $180, but Nintendo later introduced cheaper alternatives, including the famous “Action Set” that featured the Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt combo cartridge.
3. How much was Nintendo in 1980? The NES was not released until 1985, but the company Nintendo was already established, having started making hanafuda playing cards in 1889.
4. How much did a Nintendo cost in 1984? The NES was released in Japan as the Famicom in 1983, but it did not arrive in North America until 1985, with an initial price of $179 for the Deluxe Set.

Historic Context

5. What is the oldest console ever? The Odyssey, manufactured by Magnavox, was released in North America in September 1972 and is considered the very first home video game console.
6. How much did a Super Nintendo cost in 1991? The Super Nintendo Entertainment System was released in North America for US$199, equivalent to $430 in 2022.
7. What was the best-selling console of the 90s? The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), a 16-bit video game console, sold 49.1 million units during its lifespan.

Evolution of Nintendo

8. What did Nintendo first sell in 1889? Nintendo began making hanafuda playing cards in Kyoto, Japan, marking the start of the company.
9. What did Nintendo do in 1960? Nintendo expanded into countless varieties of toys, including original designs by Gunpei Yokoi, after initially producing handmade hanafuda playing cards.
10. What did Nintendo do in 1983? The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released as the Famicom in Japan, offering the ability to play popular arcade games like Donkey Kong on a home television set.

Value and Pricing

11. What is the first Nintendo worth? NES consoles can sell for around $74, with used systems ranging from $30 to $200, depending on the condition, and complete-in-box models selling for upwards of $200.
12. How much did Mario cost in 1985? Super Mario was priced at $25 as seen in a Macy’s ad from the New York Times in November 1985.
13. How much did the Nintendo 64 cost in 1990? Although initially intended to be priced at US$250, the Nintendo 64 was launched at US$199.99 to compete with Sony and Sega offerings.

Modern Context

14. How much did a Nintendo cost in 2005? The Nintendo DS retailed for US$149.99 at its release in the United States, with the price dropping to US$129.99 on August 21, 2005.
15. When did games become $60? Video game titles started retailing for $60 around 2006, as the cost of video game production increased, according to analyst Neil Macker.