# Game Prices - Scott The Woz

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ISUZmQ28wo
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/9ISUZmQ28wo
Generated: 2025-10-08T00:32:54.345+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The video concludes that video game prices are inflated across generations, citing examples where games cost significantly more today than they did historically, even when adjusted for inflation, which is exemplified by absurdly high prices for older accessories like the Neo Geo system and the overall trend of publishers charging more for less perceived value, like smaller digital releases or cross-gen bundles.

**Key Points:**
- The price of a new AAA game in the current generation is often set at $70, which is significantly higher than historical launch prices when adjusted for inflation (e.g., Final Fantasy III was $79.99 in 1994, equivalent to over $174 today).
- Nintendo's pricing strategy is criticized for charging $70 for games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, despite the Switch hardware being less powerful than competitors, and for charging $60 for the less ambitious, smaller file size Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 bundle.
- The video highlights older accessory pricing, such as the Sega Genesis Virtua Racing cartridge costing $100 in 1994 (equivalent to over $230 today) and the Neo Geo console launching at $649.99 in 1990 (equivalent to over $1,400 today).
- Publishers often charge higher prices for enhanced or cross-gen editions (e.g., Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Premium Edition at $99.99 for early access) or for physical media that only contains a voucher or small portion of the game (like some Doom re-releases).
- The price of digital games on platforms like the PS3/Vita stores and Xbox Live Arcade were often considered high ($14.99 to $19.99 for older digital titles) compared to the physical media they emulated.
- The video uses humor to contrast perceived value by showing items like a bag of 'Genuine Dog Sh*t' priced at $60 and a $19.99 Xbox Live Points card, suggesting consumers are paying high prices for things of questionable value.
- The overall conclusion is that modern game pricing, driven by corporate greed and inflated development/marketing costs, often results in consumers paying more for less perceived value compared to previous eras.

![Screenshot at 00:00: The host, Scott, introduces the topic by holding up a stack of $100 bills, setting the stage for a discussion about video game pricing and value.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-00-00.png)

**Context:** This video, presented by Scott The Woz, is a critical editorial piece arguing that the current high pricing structure of video games, particularly the $70 standard for new AAA titles, is unjustified when compared to historical pricing trends, even after accounting for inflation, and highlights instances where consumers pay premium prices for perceived lower value or less content.

## Detailed Analysis

The video argues that modern video game prices, specifically the $70 standard for AAA titles, are excessively high compared to historical pricing, even when adjusted for inflation. Scott compares the $70 price point of current games like Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Sonic Frontiers ($59.99) to historical examples. He shows that Final Fantasy III on SNES in 1994 cost $79.99, which is equivalent to over $174 today, suggesting that current prices are actually a bargain in real terms, but then pivots to argue that perceived value has decreased. He contrasts this with older hardware like the Sega Genesis Virtua Racing cartridge, which cost $100 in 1994 (over $230 today), and the Neo Geo console, which cost $649.99 in 1990 (over $1,400 today), illustrating that while older games/hardware were objectively more expensive, they offered a complete, high-quality experience. Scott points out specific modern pricing practices he finds egregious: charging $70 for a Switch port of a less graphically intense game like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (which requires a massive 32GB cartridge, suggesting high data cost), charging $79.99 for a bundle that doesn't include the base game, and predatory practices like charging for PS4 to PS5 upgrades ($10 for Horizon Zero Dawn) or mandatory cross-gen inclusions in bundles (like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 for $69.99). He further critiques the microtransaction economy (e.g., NBA 2K points) and subscription services (PS Plus, Game Pass) as methods companies use to extract more money. The video contrasts these modern high prices with older examples where value was clearer, such as Guitar Hero World Tour bundles costing $189.99 for a full band setup, or older arcade ports on the Xbox Live Arcade being $19.99 or less. He concludes that while inflation is a factor, the current pricing structure often fails to reflect value, exemplified by his own props like a $60 bag of 'Genuine Dog Sh*t', suggesting that consumers are being ripped off by publishers who rely on brand loyalty (like Nintendo or Sega) rather than actual product value.

### Modern AAA Pricing vs. Historical Inflation

- Current $70 games are cheaper than FFIII SNES was ($79.99 in 1994, worth $174.86 in 2025), but the perceived value is lower; modern publishers charge high prices for cross-gen upgrades ($10 for Horizon Zero Dawn) and bundles.

### Examples of High Historical Prices

- Sega Genesis Virtua Racing cartridge cost $100 in 1994 (equivalent to over $230 today); Neo Geo console launched at $649.99 in 1990 (equivalent to over $1,400 today), indicating past hardware/software was objectively more costly.

### Publisher Pricing Strategies

- Capcom charged $50 for Resident Evil Revelations on 3DS due to a 4GB cartridge, while most other 3DS games were $39.99; Sonic games were priced at $39.99 or $59.99, showing varying but often high pricing.

### Digital Storefronts and Microtransactions

- Xbox Games on Demand focused on older titles; PSN Classics are priced at $5.99–$9.99; modern games feature expensive DLC, points systems (Xbox/NBA 2K), and mandatory cross-gen inclusions to inflate total cost.

### Value Perception in Older Games

- Older games like original Guitar Hero bundles ($189.99) included extensive physical accessories (guitar, drums, mic), offering tangible value often missing in modern digital or cross-gen releases.

### Conclusion on Value

- The speaker argues that while inflation is real, current game prices often do not reflect the value or content delivered, citing examples like $59.99 for Sonic Superstars on Switch or $70 for the $50-priced Resident Evil Revelations port, suggesting greed over necessity.

![Screenshot at 00:00: The host, Scott, begins the video holding up a stack of $100 bills, introducing the theme of money and value.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-00-00.png)
![Screenshot at 00:13: Scott holds up $100 bills while discussing the value of a video game, contrasting it with the cost of physical items.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-00-13.png)
![Screenshot at 00:42: A close-up of a vintage Toys 'R' Us ad showing Sega Genesis games and consoles with prices like $149.99 for the console and $59.99 for games.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-00-42.png)
![Screenshot at 01:19: A graphic illustrating the price inflation for games across console generations: Sixth Gen \($49.99\), Seventh/Eighth Gen \($59.99\), and Ninth Gen \($69.99/$79.99\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-01-19.png)
![Screenshot at 03:33: A news headline stating, 'Sony to charge $10 for PS4 to PS5 game upgrades,' illustrating cross-gen pricing friction.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-03-33.png)
![Screenshot at 07:58: A comparison of old NES game prices \($5.00 for classic titles\) versus modern game prices, highlighting the perceived discrepancy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-07-58.png)
![Screenshot at 14:44: A screenshot from Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing showing a $199.99 price tag overlaid on the game, humorously suggesting an exorbitant price for a kart racer.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-14-44.png)
![Screenshot at 29:28: A clip from Virtua Racing \(Sega Genesis\) showing the original $100 price tag on the complex cartridge, which contained extra hardware.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-29-28.png)
![Screenshot at 33:33: A graphic displaying the 'NEO-GEO' logo and console, referencing an older, expensive system to establish a baseline for high historical prices.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9ISUZmQ28wo/00-33-33.png)