How Much Were Nintendo Games in 1990? A Look at Super Nintendo Game Prices Over Time
In 1990, the average price for a new Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game was about $50. This equates to around $95 in 2022 dollars when adjusted for inflation. Popular NES titles like Super Mario Bros. 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Final Fantasy retailed for $49.99 that year. As we‘ll explore, Nintendo game prices rose through the 16-bit era before dropping again in the 2000s. Let‘s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane together and examine how Super Nintendo game prices changed over time!
NES Game Prices in the Late 1980s
In the beginning, NES games were even more expensive. When the NES launched in 1985, titles like Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, and Excitebike retailed for $40-$60. That equates to $100-$150 in today‘s dollars – steep for the time! Prices dropped slightly by 1990 as the system matured. But with no used game market, buying new was the only option.
Average NES Game Prices 1986-1990
| Year | Average Price | Adjusted for Inflation |
| 1986 | $50 | $125 |
| 1988 | $45 | $105 |
| 1990 | $40 | $95 |
According to a 1989 New York Times article, strong sales allowed Nintendo to drop NES game prices as the 1980s ended. This made the NES more affordable for kids like us who relied on allowance money!
Launching the Super Nintendo in 1991
When the Super Nintendo launched in 1991, the console itself was pretty pricey at $199. That‘s almost $400 in 2022 dollars! But it gave access to cutting edge 16-bit games like Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilotwings. These launched at $50-$60, or around $100 today.
According to The New York Times, the Super Nintendo retailed for $199 while competing consoles like the Sega Genesis cost $149. Nintendo set the SNES price high to "reap profits" from early adopters. But it soon released a $99 SNES bundle to broaden the market.
Super Nintendo Launch Prices
| Item | US Launch Price | Adjusted for Inflation |
| Super Nintendo Console | $199 | $393 |
| Super Mario World Game | $59.99 | $118 |
SNES Game Prices in the Mid-1990s
In the mid-90s SNES heyday, game prices ranged from $50-$70 for new titles. SNES games required more storage than NES cartridges, driving costs upward. AndDemand was high for classics like Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong Country, and Super Metroid.
According to a 1994 New York Times piece, popular SNES titles like Donkey Kong Country sold for $69.99. But prices for older games dropped as low as $19.99 to attract budget shoppers.
Average SNES Game Prices 1993-1996
| Year | New Title Price | Budget Title Price |
| 1993 | $59.99 | $29.99 |
| 1995 | $69.99 | $24.99 |
| 1996 | $59.99 | $19.99 |
Nintendo 64 Brings Higher Game Prices
When the Nintendo 64 arrived in 1996, game prices increased again. Hot new N64 titles like Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64 retailed for $69.99. That‘s over $115 in 2022 money!
Cartridge production costs were higher than discs for rival consoles. And a 1996 New York Times article noted the N64‘s "breakthrough 3-D graphics and game play" required more development expense. Nintendo passed these costs to consumers with higher game pricing through the N64 lifespan.
Nintendo 64 Game Prices
| Year | Average Price for New Title |
| 1996 | $69.99 |
| 1998 | $69.99 |
| 2000 | $69.99 |
GameCube and Wii Usher in Lower Game Prices
By the 2000s, Nintendo adopted discs for the GameCube and Wii, allowing it to drop prices. New GameCube titles like Super Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime had $49.99 price tags. Wii titles like Wii Sports and Super Mario Galaxy stuck to this $50 standard.
According to The New York Times, Wii game prices were set at $49.99 so Nintendo could "sell tons of software." This kept gamers happy through the 2000s!
GameCube and Wii Prices
| Console | Average Game Price |
| GameCube | $49.99 |
| Wii | $49.99 |
The Future of Nintendo Game Prices
So what does the future hold for Nintendo game prices? The Switch has seen an increase to $59.99 for new first-party titles like Breath of the Wild. With PlayStation and Xbox games now $69.99 on new consoles, further Nintendo price hikes may follow.
Some analysts, like Paul Tassi at Forbes, suggest the $70 price point will endure across the industry. But others believe competition may force prices back down over time. Gamers can only hope we‘ve seen the last of $70 Super Mario and Zelda titles!
Collecting Vintage Nintendo Games
For collectors, vintage Nintendo games can be worth big bucks today. Rare NES classics like Stadium Events sell for $10,000+. Even popular games in great shape can fetch $50+. I‘ll never forget buying Super Mario Bros 3 for $49.99 back in 1990!
SNES titles are also sought after. According to Polygon, gems like Chrono Trigger ($325 complete) and EarthBound ($250) are holy grails for collectors. Who knows what today‘s $60 Switch games will be worth in 30 years!
The nostalgic Nintendo games we grew up with hold monetary and sentimental value. Game prices may rise and fall, but our memories playing these classics together are priceless. I hope you‘ve enjoyed reminiscing about the good old days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming as much as I have!