This is something every country has (no matter where, all have a form of VAT and sales tax) but a majority of nations include VAT within the price of the product whilst in the US that’s calculated upon checkout (so technically you are not paying $789 for a steam deck since you add tax, so that amount alone isn’t final).
So in reality, it’s closer to $820 or a game that’s $80 ends up to $95 but are either purchases possible whilst earning $15 per hour? Take the PS5: it’s ¥97,980 inc. 10% CT ($603) while the same is $650 but closer to $680 or more when you add SALES TAX, you can buy the same console in Japan since taxes are included.
Here in South California, the poverty line is $100,000 USD. If you make less than that per year, you are considered poor. Cost of living is horrendous here, so you can imagine that makes everything feel expensive. And its only going to keep getting worse. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear in 10 yeas that its $175k.
If I have to choose between one game and a meal for my family, the game loses every time.