PlayStation model launch prices

This Tuesday (10) the Sony finally announced the long-awaited PS5 Pro. However, what really caught people’s attention were not the technical specifications, but the price of US$ 700. With this, Sony establishes a new price level in the console universe.

Because of this, we decided to take a trip down memory lane and remember the launch price of each PlayStation model ever released by the Japanese company. From the iconic original PlayStation to the recently-arrived PS5 Pro, each model brought its own technological revolution and economic impact.

Let’s embark on a nostalgic journey and find out how much it cost to buy Sony’s latest consoles in each era of video games. Are you ready for a dose of history and numbers? Follow us as we take a look back at the launch prices of all PlayStation models.

PlayStation 1 – 1994

O PlayStation 1also called PS1 or PS One was released in Japan in December 3, 1994. In Brazil, however, it only arrived almost 3 years later, on the day November 11, 1997.

The launch price of the PS1 was US$ 299. In Brazil, however, its price varied greatly. But according to this insert from August 1998, it was possible to buy a PlayStation 1 for R$ 349 or twice of R$ 174,50. Remembering that at that time the minimum wage was only R$ 130. Therefore, it took 3 months of work to buy a PS1.

Compact and elegantly designed, the console was equipped with a CD-ROM drive, allowing games with better graphics and sound than the cartridges previously used. The PS1 also brought to the market ergonomic controls with directional and analog buttons, increasing precision and control in games.

Its extensive library included iconic titles such as “Final Fantasy VII,” “Metal Gear Solid” and “Resident Evil,” which not only defined genres but also earned legions of fans. With over 100 million units sold, the PS1 not only solidified Sony’s position in the gaming world, but also paved the way for future generations of consoles.

PS One – 2000

Seven years later, the first revision of the PlayStation arrived on the market. Called PS Oneit was released in July 7, 2000. Here in Brazil it was possible to buy the PS One for the price of R$ 529,02 around May 2002. At that time the minimum wage was only R$200.

The PS One is a compact and updated version of the original PlayStation. Its dimensions are 38 mm (1.5 in) high, 193 mm (7.7 in) wide and 144 mm (5.7 in) deep, while the previous model was 45 mm (1.7 in) × 260 mm (1.7 in) × 185 mm (7.7 in). Released on July 7, 2000, it quickly became more popular than other consoles that year, including Sony’s PlayStation 2.

The PS One can play all PlayStation games, but may have compatibility issues with some accessories. In addition, the model has undergone other changes, such as the removal of the parallel and serial ports on the back and the reset button (now, to reset, you need to turn off the console completely).

PlayStation 2 – 2000

Em March 4, 2000 the iconic was released PlayStation 2to this day the best-selling video game console in the world. Initially launched in Japan, the console arrived on the North American market a few months later, in October 2000. Its initial price was US$ 299. In Brazil, the PS2 took a long time to be officially launched, only in November 2009.

Remember that, before the official launch, the console was already circulating in Brazil. In 2003, the console was already available in several establishments in the country, such as the Netunia store. We have an article we tell you in detail how the PS2 was launched in Brazil

Some importers charged around R$2,000 for the console. It is worth remembering that the minimum wage at that time was around R$200. So, the initial price of the PS2 in Brazil was quite prohibitive for the time.

The PS2 is the best-selling video game console in history. According to Sony, as of March 31, 2012, over 155 million PlayStation 2 units had been sold, along with over 420 million original games. The console has had over 4,000 official games released. The last title released was Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, on November 8, 2013.

O PlayStation 2 Slim (SCPH-90000), an enhanced version of the console, was released in Japan on November 22, 2007, and arrived in North America and Europe in late 2008. This model features a redesigned design with an internal power supply, as well as a quieter fan to keep the temperature under control.

These changes resulted in a significant weight reduction, now only 720 grams. Models in the SCPH-90000 through 90010 series produced after March 2008 also feature a BIOS update that addresses issues found in previous versions. The price of the PS2 Slim is unchanged from the original model.

PlayStation 3 – 2006

Six years later, on the day November 11, 2006the PlayStation 3 in Japan. In the North American market the console would arrive in just a few days, at the suggested price of US$ 399.

Previously, delays in the arrival of international products in Brazil caused console prices to skyrocket. The PS3 is an example of this. Officially launched by Sony in Brazil in August 2010, almost 4 years after its global launch, the PlayStation 3 custava R$ 1.999. At first, it was only sold in stores Sony Style.

At the time, Anderson Garcia, manager of the Sony PlayStation division in Brazil, said that the console would be sold for R$2,499. However, the price dropped to R$1,999 to be more competitive. Even so, in 2006, shortly after its international launch, it was already possible to find the PS3 in Brazil. Prices ranged from R$ 4.500 a R$ 6 mil.

A case that became a meme was that of American Storeswho announced the console by R$ 7.980 for the 20 GB version, the most basic. Today, this amount would be equivalent to more than R$20,000. At the time, the minimum wage was less than R$400.

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Remember when the PlayStation 3 arrived in Brazil for almost R$8,000

The PlayStation 3 pioneered the use of Blu-ray Disc as its primary storage medium for games. It introduced the PlayStation Network (PSN), Sony’s first online platform, and enabled remote connectivity with the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita, enabling remote control of these devices.

In September 2009, the Slim version of the PlayStation 3 was released, which was lighter and thinner than the original model and did not have the ability to play PlayStation 2 games. The design was updated with a new logo and a slightly altered home screen. In late 2012, another model, called the Super Slim, was released, bringing even more refinements to the console’s design.

PlayStation 4 – 2013

O PlayStation 4 was released on the day November 15, 2013in North America. For the first time, a Sony console was not released first in Japan. The company’s headquarters would receive the PS4 a few months later, in February 2014, falling behind even Europe.

Repeating what had been done in the previous generation, the basic version of the PS4 had a suggested price of US$ 399. And also for the first time Brazil didn’t have to wait centuries for the official launch of the console in the country. It arrived here on November 29, 2013. However, what really impressed was the suggested price of R$ 3.999. In 2013 the minimum wage was only R$678.

Another notable thing was the speech by one of Sony’s representatives in Brazil, who said that the company is not making a single cent from the sale of the console in Brazil. Adding up the price of each unit, import taxes and fees, and the margins of the retailer and distributor, the total cost would be R$4,257. With a discount of R$258, we arrive at the suggested price of R$3,999. It seems that the company is “losing money.”

The PlayStation 4 was Sony’s first console with x86 architecture, using an AMD x86-64 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), common in many PCs. This makes game development easier for the console, attracting more creators.

These changes show that Sony wanted to improve upon what it learned from the PlayStation 3. Other key features of the PlayStation 4 include 8GB of GDDR5 memory, a faster Blu-ray drive, and a GPU capable of reaching 1,843 TFLOPS/s.

PlayStation 4 Pro – 2016

In November 2016, the PlayStation 4 Pro. For the first time, Sony brought a new version that improved not only the size and aesthetics of the device, but also its hardware. The PS4 Pro maintained the same launch price as the PS4, that is, US$ 399. The price of the “normal” PS4 then dropped to $299.

In Brazil, the launch took a few months to happen. The PS4 Pro only officially arrived here on February 19th. Its suggested price was R$ 3.999. In other words, R$1,000 less than the launch price of the PS4.

The Playstation 4 Pro has 8 GB of RAM, an eight-core AMD Jaguar processor and a 4.2 teraflop Radeon graphics chip. The national model will also offer 1 TB of internal space, with support for 4K resolution and HDR technology.

PlayStation 5 – 2020

O PlayStation 5 was released on the day November 12, 2020. He arrived in Brazil about 1 week later, on November 19, 2020.

The PS5 was the first Sony console to have two different versions at its launch. The PS5 with Blu-Ray player was launched abroad with the press of US$ 499. In Brazil we need to put some zeros, since this version had a suggested price of R$ 4.999. The Digital Edition, in turn, which does not have an optical reader, cost the standard price abroad of US$ 399. Here in Brazil the difference was small, since its launch price was R$ 4.499.

The PlayStation 5 comes with a SSD custom that reads data super fast, which greatly improves graphics. It also has a custom AMD GPU that supports Ray-tracing4K gaming and can run at up to 120 fps. It also has a new sound system for 3D audio effects and is compatible with most PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR games.

PlayStation 5 Pro – 2024

The beefy version of the PS5, also called PlayStation 5 Pro was announced on September 10, 2024. However, sales begin in November 7, 2024. The main highlight of the PS5 Pro was precisely its price, which is the highest price for a Sony console launch.

For those who want to have the PS5 Pro, they will have to pay the amount of US$ 699.99. In a direct conversion to Real this gives something around R$ 3.940. It is obvious that when the video game is officially released here its price will be much higher.

The new edition of the PS5 maintains some of its predecessor’s configurations, but has received several upgrades. The GPU is physically larger and has 67% more processing power. The memory is 28% faster. According to Sony, this allows rendering to be 45% faster than the “base” PS5.