Buying in-game items has been a staple of gaming since the early 90’s. As time has passed however, developers have greatly expanded on the initial idea to the point where the economies found within games are often just as complex as those found across the globe. With any economy there must also be a currency. Although many developers opt to stick with real world currencies like Yen and Dollars, others like to design their own to better match the look and feel of their games.
Some of these currencies can actually be purchased on the grey market and can even hold a greater value than some real world currencies. Others however remain confined to their own digital worlds, their true value unknown. Until now, that is. For anyone wondering how much they’ve just lost on the Stork Market or whether they’ve just been ripped off when buying that shiny new sword, this one’s for you! Just bare in mind though that a lot of video game economies don’t always make sense, so trying to rationalize them is not quite an exact science.
10 Pokédollars (Pokémon) – $1 = ₱190
Although they might sound like something sold at an amusement park, Pokédollars serve as the in-game currency in all of the main series Pokémon games. While loosely based on real world locations like Japan and Hawaii, making sense of the economies found across the series isn’t always easy.
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, if the player purchases a soda-pop from one of the game’s many vending machines, it will cost them ₱300. Although vending machine prices vary a little in Japan, the typical cost of a 70cl bottle of Soda is around ¥160. Some quick math therefore shows that a Pokédollar is worth just over half a cent.
9 Zeni (Monster Hunter) – $1 = Ƶ105
The origins of the Zeni can actually be traced back to 18th century Japan. They were worth one hundredth of a Yen at that time. More recently though, the Zeni (sometimes spelled “Zenny”) has been used as a fictional currency in various anime and video games. Chances are, anybody who has played a Capcom game will be familiar with the currency, although it’s arguably through its appearance in the Dragon Ball manga that the currency found its way back into pop culture.
According to Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, one Zeni is the equivalent of a single Japanese Yen. Based on the current exchange rate then, that would mean that a potion in Monster Hunter World costs a rather reasonable $0.63 while an antidote would only set a player back $0.57.
8 Bells (Animal Crossing) – $1 = 105 Bells
Pricing in the Animal Crossing series can sometimes be a little sporadic. The series has an abundance of items that the player can purchase, all with seemingly random values. Thankfully, Animal Crossing: New Horizons gives a much clearer indication of how much Bells are worth.
One of the hundreds of items for sale in the game is a Nintendo Switch, which comes in at 29,980 Bells. When comparing this with the cost of a Nintendo Switch in Japan at the time of the game’s release, it becomes clear that one Bell is equal to one Japanese Yen.
7 Gil (Final Fantasy) – $1 = 79 Gil
From Midgar to Macalania, anybody wanting to buy things in the Final Fantasy series is going to need a healthy supply of Gil. There are plenty of rare and hidden items to be found, but one of the more common items players will be picking up is the humble potion. In Final Fantasy VII Remake, these will cost the player 50 of their hard earned Gil. Based on the value of potions in Monster Hunter World, that would work out at around 79 Gil to the Dollar.
This one’s a bit trickier though, as although the price of an energy drink ($0.63) and the cost of a very quick hand massage ($12.65) seem feasible, that Cloud would risk his life helping Avalanche for a measly $25 doesn’t quite add up. That said, this still works out above minimum wage and he is technically doing a favor for a childhood friend. He also ends up joining Avalanche, which suggests that this battle’s about more than just money for the spiky-haired Soldier.
6 Munny (Kingdom Hearts) – $1 = 63 Munny
It might look like a spelling error, but Munny is the official currency found in the Kingdom Hearts world and it can be used to buy a lot more than just pretzels. Like most JRPGs, Kingdom Hearts 3 features potions, which cost Sora and co. 40 Munny. Assuming that the value of potions is consistent across JRPG games, that would give each Munny a value of around 1.6 cents.
5 Coins (Super Mario) – $1 = 11 Coins
Although Mario collects coins in nearly all of his outings, it’s very rare that he actually gets to spend them. In fact, when trying to figure out just how much one of those golden coins is worth, it’s one of his arch-rivals’ games that provides the best indication.
In Wario World, the titular character can purchase bulbs of garlic at a starting price of five coins. If the price of garlic in Wario World is anything like that of real world garlic then, it could be reasoned that five coins is the equivalent of around $0.45.
4 Caps (Fallout) – $1 = 33 Caps
Although it’s possible to buy food in Fallout, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison to food items found in the real world. Whilst it’s possible that food would hold a higher value in the wake of a nuclear war due to its scarcity, the fact that most of it is irradiated might knock the price down a little. Luckily, the game’s creators have already provided an answer as to how much Caps are worth.
Back in 2015, a man sent Bethesda around 2,000 assorted bottle caps in the hope of using them to pay for a copy of Fallout 4. Somewhat surprisingly, Bethesda accepted his offer and sent him a copy of the game (whilst also urging other fans not to imitate the stunt). Given the game’s $60 price-tag at launch, that would mean that Bethesda valued each cap at 3c.
3 Rupees (Zelda) – $1 = 2 Rupees
Rupees have been a staple of the Zelda series since its inception back in the late 80’s. In fact, along with Link, they’re one of its few ever-present elements. Rupees are definitely a valuable element of the series itself, but just how valuable would they be in the real world?
Well, if the player unlocks the rare armor shop in Breath of the Wild, they’ll find a Nintendo Switch T-shirt on sale for 50 Rupees. Although Nintendo don’t currently have a Switch T-shirt available on their official store, the average price for a Nintendo branded T-shirt is $25. That makes the Rupee one of the strongest currencies in gaming, with each one coming in at a respectable $0.50.
2 Simoleons (The Sims) – $1 = §0.78
For a series that has its own language, it would be a little strange if The Sims didn’t also have its own currency. Simoleons are found throughout the series and can be used to purchase just about anything. In fact, there are even a number of real world cars that can be purchased in game.
In The Sims 3, a 2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback will cost the player §12,000 whilst the Sedan variant will set them back a more modest §10,200. Looking at the MSRPs for the base models of these vehicles ($15,500 and $13,200), it would seem that a single Simoleon is worth a mighty $1.29.
1 Silver Eagles (Bioshock Infinite) – $1 = 0.03 Silver Eagles
Bioshock Infinite‘s Silver Eagles are based on the 1900 Morgan silver dollar. These days they’re worth a pretty penny, but as the game was set in 1912, Booker’s not as wealthy as his pocket full of silver might suggest.
More than a century later, however, and those Silver Eagles have skyrocketed in value. According to the USA coin book, a 1900 Morgan silver dollar in average condition is worth $35. Even in poor condition, the coins have a melt value of $20 making Bioshock’s Silver Eagles one of the most valuable currencies in gaming.
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