Summary
- Current console prices range from $399 to $749.99, with the PS5 Pro being the priciest.
- Sony and Microsoft have raised PS5 and Xbox prices quite recently, and both consoles are now significantly more expensive than when they first released.
- There are also multiple handheld options with varying prices, like the Nintendo Switch 2, the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally.
Everybody knows that gaming is one of the most expensive hobbies in the world. Not only are the actual video games themselves quite pricey, but the consoles required to play them also cost a significant amount of money.
In addition to all that, there are multiple video game systems currently available on the market, which often leads to confusion among general audiences about which one to buy. This comprehensive guide will detail the exact cost of these video game consoles in the United States, including alternative models (such as the PS5 Pro), along with a few other notable systems that are not part of the “Big 3.”
Nintendo Switch 2
$449.99 (Official Retail Price)
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Original Release Date
- June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $449.99
- Operating System
- Proprietary
The most recent addition to the current home console generation is the Nintendo Switch 2, which launched on June 5, 2025. According to Nintendo’s website, the official retail price of the regular model is $449.99, but it’s worth pointing out that there’s also a special Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that comes with Mario Kart World pre-installed, and it costs $499.99.
This is a significant price increase from Nintendo’s previous system, the original Nintendo Switch, which was available for $299.99 when it launched back in 2017. Nevertheless, considering that it’s significantly less expensive than its direct competitors and that it’s a hybrid console that can be played both at home and on the go, this price may not be a significant deterrent for some consumers.
PlayStation 5
$549.99 (Official Retail Price)
Sony threw its hat into the new generation of consoles when it released the PlayStation 5 back in 2020. It was originally available for $499.99, and people were expecting its price to slowly drop after more than five years on the market. Unfortunately, the exact opposite occurred.
Sony recently announced that it has raised the official retail prices of all PS5 models due to the United States’ “challenging economic environment,” with the base model now running for $549.99. It’s worth noting, however, that this model does come with a built-in disc drive, allowing it to play physical PS5 and PS4 games.
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
$499.99 (Official Retail Price)
PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition
- 4K Capabilities
- 120 Hz
- Brand
- Sony
- Storage
- 1 TB
- CPU
- AMD Zen 2, 8-core / 16 threads, 3.5GHz
Sony did something quite unusual with the launch of the PlayStation 5 in 2020: aside from the conventional base console, it also released a cheaper model that came without a disc drive and could only play digital games, known as the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. Its original retail price was $399.99 but, after the recent price increases, it now costs $499.99.
This specific model may be more favorable for consumers who want a console that is cheaper and who exclusively play digital versions of games. Of course, if those who bought the PS5 Digital Edition eventually want to use it to play physical video games, they can buy an official disc drive add-on, but it’s important to point out that it costs $79.99, so maybe it’s just better to buy the base model in the first place.
PlayStation 5 Pro
$749.99 (Official Retail Price)
- Brand
- Sony PlayStation
- Storage
- 2TB SSD
- Original Release Date
- November 7, 2024
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $749.99
It’s not uncommon for Sony to release enhanced versions of its home consoles that are slightly more powerful than the original in the middle of a generation, and the company followed this tradition in 2023 when it released the PlayStation 5 Pro. With its improved performance, advanced ray tracing, and a faster GPU, this enhanced model can make PS5 games look and run even better than they already do.
However, its original price of $699.99 didn’t sit well with many gamers, a sentiment that got even worse with the recently announced price increases. At $749.99, the PS5 Pro is currently the most expensive home console on the market, and it’s highly recommended for only the most dedicated gamers who truly want their games to look as crisp as possible.
Xbox Series X
$599.99 (Official Retail Price)
- Brand
- Microsoft
- Storage
- 1TB WD SN530 NVMe SSD
- Original Release Date
- November 10, 2020
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $499
Microsoft is not exactly adept at naming the consoles of its iconic Xbox brand, which often leads to unnecessary confusion among consumers. Its current-generation offering is the Xbox Series X, which has an official retail price of $599.99, making it slightly more expensive than its main competitor, the PS5. It's also worth pointing out that its price may vary slightly, depending on its storage size and whether it comes with a disc drive or not.
Of course, the Xbox Series X originally cost $499.99 at launch, but (similarly to Sony), Microsoft was forced to increase that price in May 2025. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the Xbox family of consoles is compatible with Xbox Game Pass, a video game subscription service that’s renowned for helping gamers save a significant amount of money, especially on brand-new releases.
Xbox Series S
$429.99 (Official Retail Price)
- Brand
- Microsoft
- Storage
- 512 GB
- Original Release Date
- November 10, 2020
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $299
Just like Sony, Microsoft was clever enough to offer an entry-level model of its latest video game console that is cheaper and more affordable for consumers, and it’s called the Xbox Series S. Questionable naming convention aside, this specific model costs $429.99, making it one of the most convenient gaming console deals currently on the market. And, just like its bigger brother, it also has a slightly lower price that comes with significantly less storage space as a result.
Needless to say, the Series S is slightly less powerful than the Series X, and it doesn’t have a disc drive. However, it costs $ 170 less (not to mention that it’s even cheaper than the PS5 Digital Edition), and it's compatible with Xbox Game Pass as well. The Xbox Series S is a model for more casual gamers who don’t care all that much about performance and just want to enjoy new games without breaking the bank.
Steam Deck
$399.99 (Official Retail Price)
Steam Deck
- Released
- February 25, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Valve
Nintendo is not the only major company currently producing handheld systems, as Valve revolutionized the industry with the release of the Steam Deck in 2022. Fortunately, its original price hasn’t increased since its initial release, and the base model still goes for $399.99.
Of course, there are pricier Steam Deck models that vary in power and storage size (some even feature an OLED screen), but the original model is still relatively affordable. This handheld’s main selling point is its direct connectivity with Steam libraries, which allows players to take almost every game they previously bought on their Steam account and bring them anywhere they go. Additionally, most game publishers now make an effort to ensure their new releases are Steam Deck compatible, so there are very few games that this handheld cannot effectively run.
Asus ROG Ally
$499.99 (Official Retail Price)
Asus ROG Ally
- Dimensions
- 2 Speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Playing Time
- 1.3-4+ hours
- Brand
- Asus
- Weight
- 1.34 lbs
The commercial success of the Steam Deck inspired many other companies to develop their own handheld systems that could run PC games. One of the few that can actually compete against the Steam Deck is the Asus ROG Ally, whose base model currently costs $499.99.
Yes, it’s significantly more expensive than Valve’s revolutionary handheld, but this investment may be worth it for some consumers, especially those who want their portable games to look and run as well as possible. When compared to the base Steam Deck, the ROG Ally features a superior screen, enables games to run at higher performance, and, since it runs on a Windows operating system, is compatible with both Steam libraries and Xbox Game Pass.