The Cost Of Fun Through the Decades: 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020s

Step back in time to the good old days.

When you think of the 80s, 90s and early 00s what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the thrill of the latest arcade game, the joy of unwrapping a brand new video game console, or your first bite into a candy bar. The world of entertainment has always been a source of joy, but one thing has changed significantly over the years: the cost. From the 80s to the 2020s, the prices of the most popular forms of fun, such as arcades, video games, movie nights, and even fast food, have dramatically shifted.

To bring those memories back to life, BetMGM Arcade has created the Nostalgic Fun Index.

What is the Nostalgic Fun Index?

The Nostalgic Fun Index is an intriguing look at how the price of fun has evolved over more than four decades by tracking changes in four categories: Tech, Experiences, Collectibles, and Food & Drink. By analyzing prices from old catalogues, brochures, vintage ads, industry reports, news archives, wayback machines and more, we’ve compiled a timeline that tracks the cost of a classic day of joy and entertainment from 1980 to 2025.

The story it tells is equal parts nostalgic and interesting. 

Cost Of Fun Index

Note: The Joy Index doesn’t adjust for inflation—the prices reflect what people actually paid at the time.

The Findings: The Cost of Fun Through the Decade

Summary

Here are the key findings from the Nostalgic Fun Index:

• The 80s and 90s were the most affordable decade to have fun, totalling $909.52 and  $855.82 to enjoy all the items on the index. 
• 2025 is the most expensive year for fun to date, totalling $1855.08.
• Tech has remained the most expensive form of joy each decade, with prices spiking from 2010 due to marketable advancements in technology.
• The cheapest item of joy remains the candy bar.

How Much Did a Typical Day of Fun Cost?

From the index, we broke down the cost of a classic day of entertainment in each era, covering the cost of a movie ticket, a small popcorn, console and action figure time.

• 1980s: $3.55
• 1990s: $5.83
• 2000s: $7.78
• 2010s: $12.84
• 2025: $19.75

For movie tickets and a small popcorn, the total cost was straightforward, based on typical prices for each decade.

To estimate the cost of a day of console time, we based the calculation on the price of the console and its expected lifespan before being replaced by a newer model. For instance, in 2000, the PlayStation 1 (PS1) had a typical lifespan of 6 years, as it was replaced by the PlayStation 2 in 2006.

For action figures, we used the average lifespan of an action figure typical for each era to determine its cost per day of play. Here’s how the lifespan of action figures varied, on the basis that action figures in modern times have decreased in quality and play-time:

• 1980s: 7-10 years
• 1990s: 6-8 years
• 2000s: 4-6 years
• 2010s: 5 years
• 2020s: 3-5 years

These calculations helped us arrive at the total cost for a day of entertainment in each era, breaking down how fun became more expensive over time.

A Breakdown Of The Decades

Here’s a closer look at what the costs were like in each decade.

Back to the 80’s

1980 was the most affordable year for entertainment overall, however in this index the 90s undercuts by $53.70 due to the more expensive cost of certain items including BMX bikes and handheld cassette recorders. To experience every single item on the index would cost just $909.52  in ’80s money, which includes a trip to Walt Disney World. Arcade tokens were a mere $0.25, movie tickets were $2.69, and a Happy Meal was priced at $1.10. Meanwhile, the most popular gaming console of the year 1980, the Atari 2600, could be yours for just $199.

While entertainment was generally affordable, tech was still the most expensive category in the 1980s. Owning a TV and game console would set you back roughly $700, which was a hefty investment for an average American household at the time. On the other hand, some collectible items were also pricier, like the latest portable cassette recorder from the 1980 Sears Christmas Book, which cost $49.95.

However, the priciest form of fun in the 80s was watching TV. A 20-inch color television, common in most American homes, would typically cost around $500—quite a significant amount in those days.

As for the cheapest form of entertainment, it was undoubtedly the candy bar. A standard-sized Hershey’s would only set you back $0.25, making it the ultimate affordable treat of the decade.

90’s Baby

The 1990s marked a significant shift as technology played an increasingly prominent role in entertainment, while still holding on to some nostalgic favorites from the 80s. Naturally, prices rose due to inflation.

In 1990, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was priced at around $199, similar to the cost of the Atari 2600 a decade earlier. At the same time, DVD rentals became more in demand, with the average rental price about $3. Blockbuster and other rental stores became a weekend tradition for many families.

However, some experiences became significantly more expensive. For example, a trip to Walt Disney World had increased in price by about four times compared to 1980. On the other hand, the cost of a soda remained relatively unchanged, still priced around the same as it had been a decade earlier.

2000s and into the New Millennium

The turn of the millennium saw major shifts in how people spent their free time. Nostalgic pastimes like arcades began to fade, while CD albums became a daily staple, and concerts grew into iconic events.

By 2000, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figure of Michelangelo was around $6.99, despite their fade in popularity, and a typical Barbie doll would cost about $9.99.

Candy bars had almost doubled in price since the 90s and cost $0.80, and for the first time, a soda would set you back more than a dollar.

2010s

By 2010, tech had become more expensive, with gaming consoles, smartphones, and other digital gadgets pushing prices up. The PlayStation 3 was priced at around $499, and a good LCD TV would cost anywhere from $599 to $1000.

By this time, arcades were completely forgotten about, and our beloved portable cassette recorders had fallen out of use, replaced by MP3 players, iPhones, and Apple Music.

Streaming services like Netflix changed how people consumed movies and TV shows, leading to a decline in DVD rentals. At the time, Netflix’s streaming plan cost $7.99. Going to the movies or attending concerts became more expensive due to rising ticket prices, especially with the introduction of premium experiences like IMAX and VIP seating, meaning people had no choice but to entertain themselves at home. The average concert ticket in the first half of 2010 was priced at $61.

2025

In 2025, the fun landscape is marked by premium pricing across the board. Collectibles like Barbie Dolls have fantastic marketing, enough to justify spending between $16 and $22 on just one doll in Walmart, and the cost of food, drink, and entertainment has hit new highs, reflecting both inflation and a cultural shift towards more immersive, high-tech, fun-on-demand experiences.

The cost of seeing artists like Taylor Swift or Beyoncé on tour as of 2024 will set you back around $135.92 for a typical ticket, while a medium pepperoni pizza and a soda will cost you nearly $20. The latest PlayStation 5 Pro is $699, while TVs have become much more affordable, ranging anywhere from $200 for a typical 50-inch smart TV, up to $1500 for the latest ultra-thin, smart TV version with cutting-edge software and screen panel technologies.

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Methodology & Sources

To chart the cost of everyday items and experiences across the decades, BetMGM Casino analyzed pricing data from over 60 sources, including U.S. government databases like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, archived retail catalogs such as Sears and Toys“R”Us, eCommerce listings from Walmart and Amazon, industry news articles, and trusted pop culture sites. Vintage advertisements, brochures, and menu scans were also used to provide accurate decade-specific prices. Where multiple data points existed, averages were calculated to represent typical consumer costs.

Download the full methodology and source list here (PDF).