The Shocking Truth About PlayStation 5 Pro Price: Is It Really Worth The Cost?

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.

To put things into perspective, let's take a look at some of the most iconic consoles throughout the years and compare their prices. We've got everything from the Color TV-Game to the PlayStation 5 Pro. Let's see how things stack up.

First up, we have the Color TV-Game, released in 1977 with an original retail price of ¥9,800 JPY. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around ¥16,970 JPY or $120 USD. Not too shabby for one of the first home consoles on the market.

Next, we have the Game & Watch, released between 1980-1991 with prices varying depending on the region. According to a British newspaper ad from 1983, the average price was around £20. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around £66 or $86 USD.

Fast forward to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985, which originally retailed for $179.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $526.15 USD. The Game Boy, released in 1989, originally retailed for $89.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $228.27 USD.

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released in 1991 with an original retail price of $199.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $461.86 USD. And let's not forget the Virtual Boy, released in 1995 with an original retail price of $179.95 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $371.40 USD.

We also have the PlayStation, released in 1995 with an original retail price of $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $617.11 USD. The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, originally retailed for $199.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $400.92 USD.

The Game Boy Color, released in 1998, originally retailed for $79.95 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $154.28 USD. And the PlayStation 2, released in 2000, originally retailed for $299 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $546.15 USD.

The Game Boy Advance, released in 2001, originally retailed for $99.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $177.69 USD. And the Xbox, also released in 2001, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $533.10 USD.

The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, originally retailed for $199 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $353.64 USD. The Game Boy Advance SP, released in 2003, originally retailed for $99.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $170.93 USD.

We also have the Nintendo DS, released in 2004, which originally retailed for $149.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $249.75 USD. The PlayStation 2 Slim, released in 2004, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $499.52 USD.

The PlayStation Portable, released in 2005, originally retailed for $249.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $402.62 USD. The Game Boy Micro, also released in 2005, originally retailed for $99.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $161.04 USD.

The Xbox 360, released in 2005, originally retailed for $299.99 USD for the core edition and $399.99 USD for the 20 GB edition. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $483.15 USD and $644.20 USD respectively.

The Nintendo DS Lite, released in 2006, originally retailed for $129.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $202.81 USD. The Nintendo Wii, released in 2006, originally retailed for $249.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $390.04 USD.

The PlayStation 3, released in 2006, originally retailed for $499.99 USD for the 20 GB edition and $599.99 USD for the 60 GB edition. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $780.09 USD and $936.12 USD respectively. The Nintendo DSi, released in 2008, originally retailed for $149.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $219.12 USD.

The Nintendo DSi XL, released in 2009, originally retailed for $169.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $249.23 USD. The PlayStation 3 Slim, released in 2009, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $439.83 USD.

The Xbox 360 S, released in 2010, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $432.73 USD. The Nintendo 3DS, released in 2011, originally retailed for $249.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $349.57 USD.

The PlayStation Vita, released in 2012, originally retailed for $249.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $342.48 USD. The PlayStation 3 Super Slim, released in 2012, originally retailed for $269.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $370.18 USD.

The Nintendo Wii U, released in 2012, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $411.32 USD. The Xbox 360 Elite, released in 2013, originally retailed for $479.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $648.61 USD.

The Nintendo 2DS, released in 2013, originally retailed for $129.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $175.66 USD. The PlayStation 4, released in 2013, originally retailed for $399.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $540.51 USD.

The Xbox One, released in 2013, originally retailed for $499.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $675.64 USD. The New Nintendo 3DS XL, released in 2015, originally retailed for $199.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $265.62 USD.

The Xbox One S, released in 2016, originally retailed for $299.99 USD for the 500 GB edition, $349.99 USD for the 1 TB edition, and $399.99 USD for the 2 TB edition. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $393.47 USD, $459.05 USD, and $524.63 USD respectively.

The PlayStation 4 Slim, released in 2016, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $393.47 USD. The PlayStation 4 Pro, released in 2016, originally retailed for $399.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $524.63 USD.

The Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $385.26 USD. The New Nintendo 2DS XL, released in 2017, originally retailed for $149.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $192.63 USD.

The Xbox One X, released in 2017, originally retailed for $499.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $642.11 USD. The Nintendo Switch Lite, released in 2019, originally retailed for $199.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $246.25 USD.

The Xbox Series S, released in 2020, originally retailed for $299.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $364.88 USD. The Xbox Series X, released in 2020, originally retailed for $499.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $608.15 USD.

The PlayStation 5, released in 2020, originally retailed for $399.99 USD for the digital edition and $499.99 USD for the base edition. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $486.51 USD and $608.15 USD respectively.

The Nintendo Switch OLED, released in 2021, originally retailed for $349.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $406.60 USD. And finally, we have the PlayStation 5 Slim, released in 2023, which originally retailed for $499.99 USD. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to around $516.55 USD.

So, where does that leave us with the PlayStation 5 Pro? With its original price point of $699.99 USD, it seems like a reasonable price compared to some of the other consoles on this list. However, we must take into account the current state of the economy and the diminishing returns on technological advancements.

So, is the PlayStation 5 Pro worth the cost? It's up to you to decide. But with its powerful GPU and fast memory, it might just be the console you need to take your gaming experience to the next level. The choice is yours.