I paid $50 for launch-day Atari 2600 Pac-Man at a department store in 1982.

That's $177 today.

But at least I still have a plastic rectangle 44 years later. I'd lose a download code in a matter of months.

That does not take into account how much cheaper it is now with hand holding engines and assets shops. Not to mention games have more than 10 times the customer base now so the price should still go down.

Especially considering the price of e.g. Mario Kart World.

No Man's Auto

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 launch price was $69.99. in 1994.

That's $159.89 in today's dollars.