Nikon's original 18-200mm zoom was replaced by a later, better model, as the category (called "superzoom" category) grew in popularity, and as Nikon cameras themselves went higher in megapixels. The 18-200mm Nikon lenses worked pretty well on the 6-Megapixel generation cameras, like the Nikon D70 and D70s and so on, and were also "okay" on the next generation, which was composed of cameras with sensors in the 10- and 12-Megapixel range, and which then shifted to 16-Megapixels, and then to 24-Megapixels. As the Megapixel counts have gone higher and higher, lens faults have become more obvious to more users, and the need for ever-better lens designs has become an issue for the camera and the independent, third-party lens makers like Sigma, Tokina, Tamron,and Rokinon and Samyang, and so on. YES, you probably can buy a first-gen 18-200 Nikon, or third-party 18-200 lens for $119.
Many people want specialized lenses that are really, really GOOD lenses, while others want the convenience of wide,wide zoom ranges, like 18-200mm, or 18-270mm, or even 18-300mm. Specialized lenses,like macro lenses, are also a thing many people like. Same with fast, prime lenses like 85mm f/1.4 or 135mm f/2 lenses, or 24mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 primes; specialty tools for the highest possible image quality, or for use in the most difficult circumstances, like poor light, or at night for star photography, etc.
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