Why are consols still so expensive

[Fanatical Meat]

The 360 is what 5 years old and the PS3 is pushing 4? Why so much for them, seems like they aren't comming down in price as much as the last generation. Any thoughts?

 

[Tristicus]

Because they are worth it.

And unlike a PC, you don't ever have to upgrade them (unless to new models but not for any games on the system itself).

 

[BoberFett]

You can get a 360 arcade for $160 from Dell. I don't think we'll ever see the current gen hit $99 like the previous gens did.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I hear you theY definately do more than the older consoles but it's just so much. I am thinking about a PS3 but doesn't come with a game and extra controller is $55. That's a good chunk of change for something in it's middle age. 360 comes with a couple of games but god forbid you end up needing a new HD. It just feels like they should be less money by now.

 

[Tristicus]

I hear you theY definately do more than the older consoles but it's just so much. I am thinking about a PS3 but doesn't come with a game and extra controller is $55. That's a good chunk of change for something in it's middle age. 360 comes with a couple of games but god forbid you end up needing a new HD. It just feels like they should be less money by now.

Buy used. I paid $400 or so for my PS3 in 2007. It was a 60gb model (the best one), and it was a good deal then used. Lasted until now, and it might just be a fan issue, but I sent it for repair to a guy for $70 on eBay. It is a December 2006 model, and I guarantee I play my console (and it stays on) a lot more than other people's. A good game can last you 100+ hours (if an RPG or it has multiplayer)...KZ2 for one lasted me about 250 give or take for just one game. GTA4 probably 100+, etc. There are also deals floating around like Dell and such to lower the price. It's a very good investment (PS3) if you have an HD entertainment system especially.

You can get a 360 arcade for $160 from Dell. I don't think we'll ever see the current gen hit $99 like the previous gens did.

They will when the new consoles release. I wouldn't say before unless it was a stock 360 with the console and power cords only and a wired controller.

 

[gorcorps]

$200 is hardly what I'd call expensive considering what you're getting, which is what the 360 arcade costs. Hell the SNES cost $200 as well, so really you're getting a hell of a deal these days IMO.

Plus, they've come down quite a bit in price, so I don't know what you mean... the PS3 started at $500 for the 20gig and $600 for the 60gig. After several revisions and price changes you can now get the slimline 120gig for $300.

Xbox 360 started at $300 for the core package, and $400 for the version with the 20gig hdd. They released the elite at some point for $480ish and it had a 120gig HDD. They then cut the price of the elite to $400 and the 'pro version' to $300, with the core dropped to $200. These days there are only 2 versions, the core version at $200 and the elite version w/ 120gig HDD (and 2 games) at $300.

So I ask again... why do you think they haven't dropped in price much? PS3 has pretty much gone 1/2 price, albiet it does less than it did at launch. The 360 has dropped a decent amount as well. The wii dropped from $250 to 200 a while ago too.

 

[TheVrolok]

The PS3 is a the most up-to-date BRD player on the market (which will have 3D capability come this summer as well), it will also have Netflix streaming natively. Now add the media center capabilities that it has over other BRD players, DVD upscaling, web browser, etc.. ooh.. and it can play video games too! It's actually a pretty good bargain.

 

[Dumac]

The PS3 used to be 600, right? So at it's (I believe) current price of 300, that is a 50% reduction, which is pretty good.

The consoles are still in a lively state, and still worth the amount their selling for to most people.

 

[mmntech]

$200 is hardly what I'd call expensive considering what you're getting, which is what the 360 arcade costs. Hell the SNES cost $200 as well, so really you're getting a hell of a deal these days IMO.

I looked into this a while ago for my blog. In fact, I made a chart. I took the launch prices of the most popular consoles going back to the beginning and adjusted them to inflation to 2006 dollars.

Between $300 and $400 is pretty standard. The Atari 2600 would be a whopping $650 today. Factor in that most of these devices were single function. You definitely get better value with today's systems, and presuming they don't break down, they'll be useful for longer too.

 

[purbeast0]

$159 for an xbox 360 is expensive? $300 for a PS3 is expensive?

Xbox 360 was $300/400 at launch, PS3 was $500/600 at launch. they have dropped over 50% in price.

 

[JackBurton]

They're not.

 

[Anubis]

I looked into this a while ago for my blog. In fact, I made a chart. I took the launch prices of the most popular consoles going back to the beginning and adjusted them to inflation to 2006 dollars.

Between $300 and $400 is pretty standard. The Atari 2600 would be a whopping $650 today. Factor in that most of these devices were single function. You definitely get better value with today's systems, and presuming they don't break down, they'll be useful for longer too.

wheres my 3D0!


mine still works lol

 

[Schadenfreude]

Well, I suppose I'm echoing a lot of others' opinions, but it's really not, especially for the 360 - if I remember correctly, a lot of the last-gen consoles didn't drop their price to $99 until the next gen systems came out/were announced.

Anyhow, I'd say check craigslist - a lot of people unload their collections (system + acc + games) for reasonable prices so you might want to look that way.

 

[mmntech]

wheres my 3D0!


mine still works lol

I only put systems that people actually bought. ^_^

 

[Anubis]

so im not people?


IDk how i feel about that

it cost what 700$ in 1994?

What cost $700 in 1994 would cost $941.19 in 2006

sweet

 

[SunnyD]

Expensive? Compared to what? A PC? $200 is cheap.

 

[RaiderJ]

I looked into this a while ago for my blog. In fact, I made a chart. I took the launch prices of the most popular consoles going back to the beginning and adjusted them to inflation to 2006 dollars.

Between $300 and $400 is pretty standard. The Atari 2600 would be a whopping $650 today. Factor in that most of these devices were single function. You definitely get better value with today's systems, and presuming they don't break down, they'll be useful for longer too.

You should add the 3DO to that list - smokes the Atari I'm sure in present day dollars.

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

Because of stupid people.

 

[Tristicus]

Because of stupid people.

Like yourself? Don't embarrass yourself in two sections of the forums now.

 

[CountZero]

I looked into this a while ago for my blog. In fact, I made a chart. I took the launch prices of the most popular consoles going back to the beginning and adjusted them to inflation to 2006 dollars.

Between $300 and $400 is pretty standard. The Atari 2600 would be a whopping $650 today. Factor in that most of these devices were single function. You definitely get better value with today's systems, and presuming they don't break down, they'll be useful for longer too.

That's interesting. About 12 years ago I remember talking with a marketing guy and he made the claim that $200 or less is the sweet spot to sell electronics at because its the barrier between major purchase that requires consulting with your SO or not. Dunno if it is true but a lot of those prices seem to be right around that $200 mark.

 

[fatpat268]

I looked into this a while ago for my blog. In fact, I made a chart. I took the launch prices of the most popular consoles going back to the beginning and adjusted them to inflation to 2006 dollars.

Between $300 and $400 is pretty standard. The Atari 2600 would be a whopping $650 today. Factor in that most of these devices were single function. You definitely get better value with today's systems, and presuming they don't break down, they'll be useful for longer too.

The PSP should be at $250 on that chart, not $200

 

[Anubis]

You should add the 3DO to that list - smokes the Atari I'm sure in present day dollars.

look 2 posts up

 

[Terzo]

Because they are worth it.

And unlike a PC, you don't ever have to upgrade them (unless to new models but not for any games on the system itself).

While I agree cost of ownership is cheaper than a (gaming) pc, the above isn't entirely true.
The initial cost doesn't factor in accessories; while they are not required many people have a need or desire for them. With the 360 you will have to spend more money for wireless capability. While the technically inclined can buy a tomato/ddwrt router or bridge a connection from another pc for low cost, the average user would have to spend a significant amount to purchase the 360 wireless adapter. There is also the cost of a Live subscription; sure you can find good deals and it's not *that* expensive but it is still more money spent.
With the Wii there are a bunch of accessories. Racing wheels, balance boards, etc.
With all three consoles you'll have to shell out a decent sum of money to pick up additional controllers; not an issue if you generally play solo but many games are geared towards multiplayer (i.e. Wii games). Then there is the popular music type games; rockband, guitar hero, band hero, dj hero, etc. While technically not a cost associated with a system, you do have to spend extra to "properly" experience those games (buying instruments).
And the ps3 and 360 are looking at an upgrade of sorts; Natal and Move. I'm not sure how popular they'll be or how much they'll cost, but it's very possible that games will come out which require the use of natal/move controllers. If you want to play such a game you would have to upgrade your console, in a sense.

I still agree this would be cheaper than maintaining a top of the line gaming pc, but it seems like consoles are evolving to be more similar to computers. I find it plausible that future consoles could allow upgrading of components.

 

[mmntech]

The PSP should be at $250 on that chart, not $200

You're right. I made it four months ago and forgot what I did with the file. Too lazy to fix it anyway.

 

[VinylxScratches]

[typical at reply] but u cant use a mouse and keyboard its uselss lulz stupud consoles [/typical at reply]