The cost of video games available to consumers in 1990 varied considerably depending on the platform and the game’s publisher. Cartridge-based games, prevalent at the time, typically commanded higher prices than software available on other media formats. For example, titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Genesis often retailed at different price points based on complexity and perceived market value.
Understanding the economic landscape of the video game market during this era provides valuable context for evaluating the industry’s growth and evolution. Factors such as development costs, manufacturing expenses, distribution networks, and marketing strategies all influenced the final amounts consumers paid. Examining this period highlights the beginning of major shifts in the industry.
