Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most-anticipated game of 2026, and it’s already being blamed for gaming console shortages, especially the PlayStation 5 Pro. The high-end Sony console is currently out of stock on Sony.com and is selling on auction sites for $1,100 and over.
Part of the reason for high console demand is that GTA 6 will be exclusive to PlayStation 5/Pro and Xbox Series X/S when it comes out on Nov. 19, and no other platforms have been announced yet.
In September, Sony reportedly advised distributors that the PlayStation 5 Pro would be in short supply until 2027, citing “temporary market supply constraints and high demand.” The most severe bottleneck limiting PlayStation distribution is a global crisis in memory and storage components driven by the AI infrastructure squeeze, or RAMageddon.
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The PS 5 Pro promises better frame rates for a number of games as well as enhanced 4K processing, while the Rockstar Studios game is also designed to work on the “vanilla” PS5.
Yet, GTA 6 isn’t the only recent high-profile PlayStation release: The PS5-exclusive Wolverine — by the makers of Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 — has reportedly sold 2.16 million copies since September.
The PlayStation 5 Pro debuted in November 2024 for $700, but its retail price has since increased to $900.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is the long-awaited sequel to Grand Theft Auto 5, which first appeared in 2013. The crime-based game reportedly offers a playable area twice the size of the previous game’s. It’s available for preorder for $80.
Representatives for Sony did not respond immediately to CNET’s request for more information.
