In the US launch-price comparison reported by GamesBeat in 2012, the Nintendo GameCube was the cheapest console shown: $199 at launch, or $259 in the comparison’s 2012 dollars. The Neo Geo ranked highest after that adjustment at $1,146, although the 3DO had the higher original sticker price: $699 versus the Neo Geo’s $650. These are base-system launch prices, not current collector prices or a timeless ranking of every console ever sold.
The infographic’s cheapest and most expensive consoles
GamesBeat reported that Statista calculated console launch prices and adjusted them to 2012 dollars. In that comparison, the GameCube was the lowest-priced system and the Neo Geo was the highest after inflation adjustment. The figures refer to US base-system launch prices; GamesBeat notes that storage capacity and accessories can change the price of particular configurations.
| Console | Nominal launch price | Value in 2012 dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo GameCube | $199 | $259 |
| Neo Geo | $650 | $1,146 |
| 3DO Interactive Multiplayer | $699 | $1,114 |
Source and method: GamesBeat, September 29, 2012, reporting Statista’s launch-price comparison and 2012-dollar adjustments.
Why “most expensive” has two answers
The 3DO’s $699 nominal price in the infographic exceeds the Neo Geo’s $650. But after the infographic’s adjustment to 2012 dollars, the Neo Geo is higher: $1,146 compared with $1,114 for the 3DO. So the Neo Geo is the infographic’s adjusted-price high, not its highest original sticker price.
#1 Best Overall
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Guinness World Records gives a separate inflation-adjusted record for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. Its entry lists the United States, an October 4, 1993 launch date and a $699.99 launch RRP; it gives an inflation-adjusted value of $1,251.40 as of December 31, 2020. That result uses a different adjustment date and should not be merged with the infographic’s 2012-dollar figures. The sources do not provide enough shared calculation detail to reconcile the difference conclusively. See the Guinness World Records entry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the comparison does—and does not—measure
- Launch price, not resale price: It compares what a base system cost at launch, not what a vintage console costs today.
- Base system, not every bundle: Storage, included games and accessories can alter the price of a configuration.
- US prices: The figures are expressed in US dollars and should not be generalized to launch prices in other territories.
- A dated inflation adjustment: The infographic’s adjusted amounts are in 2012 dollars; they are not current-dollar values. A new ranking would require recalculating all consoles with one consistent inflation measure, reference date, territory and launch-price definition.
A later historical analysis by Ars Technica illustrates why the method matters: it used permanent MSRP announcements where possible, excluded temporary sales and store-specific closeouts, and adjusted prices to July 2025 dollars using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI calculator. Its approach and reference date differ from the infographic’s, so it is context rather than a replacement for that ranking: Ars Technica’s July 2025 analysis.
Quick Recap
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