The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) cost US$199 when it was released in North America in 1991.
Original Launch Price and Availability
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, a console that brought 16-bit gaming to the forefront, launched in North America with an initial price tag of $199. This price point positioned it competitively in the gaming market of the early 1990s.
The console began its shipping in limited quantities starting on August 23, 1991, before its official nationwide release date on September 9, 1991. This staggered release allowed for a gradual rollout of the highly anticipated system across the region.
The Value of $199 in 1991
To understand the true cost of the Super Nintendo in today's terms, it's helpful to consider inflation. The original US$199 price in 1991 is equivalent to approximately $450 in 2023. This illustrates the significant investment gamers made to own the latest console technology at the time.
Here's a quick summary of the Super Nintendo's launch details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Original Price (1991) | US$199 |
| Limited Shipping Start | August 23, 1991 |
| Nationwide Release | September 9, 1991 |
| 2023 Equivalent Value | Approximately US$450 |
Owning a Super Nintendo in 1991 provided access to groundbreaking graphics and sound for its era, setting new standards for home video game consoles.
