How much does video gaming cost?
$225 buys all 2 essentials. $25 of that is the half that has to fit you, and the rest can wait.
2 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission
Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick
$225
2 items, nothing rented
Cheapest real way in
$25
The half that has to fit you. Borrow or rent the rest.
Against 247 hobbies
Above median
Dearer than 80% of them. Median hobby: $84.
What each thing costs
Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.
Buy this first
$25The cheap half of the kit, and the half that has to fit you. You keep all of it whatever you decide about the rest, so this is where the first money should go.
The main buy
$200The expensive part, and the part worth deferring. Rent, borrow or buy used until you have done video gaming enough times to know you are staying.
Console / Platform
$200Your platform choice determines your game library. Choose based on the games you want to play.
Nintendo Switch Lite
mid $500top $1200
Later, if you stay
Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.
Video Gaming costs more to start than 80% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.
Cost questions
How much does Video Gaming cost to start?
About $225 for the 2 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each. $25 of that is the cheap half, and the remaining $200 can wait until you know you are staying.
What does each thing cost for Video Gaming?
Console / Platform: from $200. Gaming Headset: from $25.
Is Video Gaming an expensive hobby?
Video Gaming costs about $225 to start, dearer than 80% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the pricier ones to get into.
What should I buy first for Video Gaming?
gaming headset — $25 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.
Hobbies that cost about the same
The 6 nearest to video gaming by startup cost, out of 247.