GTA 6 hype sends PS5 Pro resale prices past $1,300

A console sells out before the game even has a release date

PS5 Pro consoles have sold out at major US retailers following Rockstar’s GTA 6 Extended Look, with Best Buy and Target completely out of stock and third-party sellers on Amazon, Walmart and eBay now charging $1,200 to $1,300 for a console that normally retails at $899. The panic-buying is happening despite Rockstar never having detailed what its confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements for GTA 6 actually do.

Why it matters for dads

This is worth flagging before anyone in the house talks themselves into a $1,300 impulse buy: GTA 6 does not currently justify a PS5 Pro premium. Rockstar has confirmed the game supports PS5 Pro enhancements, but hasn’t said what they actually improve, and the console’s well-documented CPU bottleneck makes it unlikely the extra GPU power pushes the game meaningfully past 30fps. The detail and scale Rockstar showed in its Extended Look is genuinely impressive - that’s not in question - it’s just not evidence that the more expensive hardware is required to experience it.

If GTA 6 is the reason a console purchase is even on the table, our GTA 6: Everything Confirmed roundup and the Extended Look breakdown cover what Rockstar has actually locked in so far - worth reading before deciding which console tier is worth paying for. And whichever PS5 ends up in the house, it’s already earning its keep beyond gaming thanks to the new free Live TV app Sony just launched. And if there are kids in the house who’ll want to watch or play, Is GTA 6 OK for Kids? is the honest parents’ guide to have ready well before launch day.

What’s next

Expect PS5 Pro stock to normalize at retailers within a few weeks, as it has after previous hype-driven shortages. We’ll update this piece once Rockstar details exactly what its PS5 Pro enhancements do.

Why did PS5 Pro prices spike after GTA 6?

Rockstar’s GTA 6 Extended Look convinced some buyers they want the most powerful PS5 available before the game launches. Best Buy and Target sold through stock, and third-party sellers on Amazon, Walmart and eBay are now asking $1,200-$1,300 for a console that normally retails at $899.

Does GTA 6 need a PS5 Pro?

No. Rockstar has confirmed GTA 6 supports PS5 Pro enhancements but hasn’t said what they actually improve, and the PS5 Pro’s CPU is unlikely to push the game meaningfully past 30fps regardless of the GPU boost.

Should I pay reseller prices for a PS5 Pro right now?

No. Paying $400+ over retail for unconfirmed, likely modest visual improvements is a bad trade - wait for stock to normalize or buy a standard PS5 at retail price instead.