Video Game Prices in 1972: The Dawn of Home Consoles

In 1972, "video game" meant arcade or the first home console. No cartridges yet.

Arcade (Per Play)

• Computer Space (1971): 25¢ / play (~$1.80 today). First commercial arcade.
• Pong (Atari, Nov 1972): 25¢ / play. Massive hit.
• Typical bar/arcade: $0.25 per game. $1 = 4 plays.

Home Console (Hardware + Built-in Games)

• Magnavox Odyssey (Released Sept 1972): $99.95 USD (~$750 in 2024). Included 12 games (tennis, hockey, chase, etc.) via circuit cards (jumper wires), plastic overlays for TV screen, dice, chips, score sheets. No sound, no color, no CPU. Transistor logic.
• No Cartridges: Games hardwired or card-selected. Cartridge systems (Fairchild Channel F, Atari VCS/2600) arrived 1976–1977.

Context

• Median US household income 1972: ~$11,000. Odyssey = ~0.9% annual income.
• Pong arcade cabinet: $1,200 cost to operator. ROI in weeks.
• Home gaming was a luxury novelty. Arcade was the mainstream experience.

Summary: 1972 = 25¢ per arcade play (Pong launch) or $100 for Odyssey console (12 built-in games, no carts). Cartridges didn't exist.