Rockstar’s extended look at Grand Theft Auto 6 aired in late August. Within a few weeks, the PlayStation 5 Pro was gone from every major US retailer. Buyers who want the best possible version of the year’s biggest game are gravitating to Sony’s top console, especially with no PC version planned for launch. A global memory chip shortage that’s raised hardware prices all year has made the squeeze worse, and Sony has warned retailers it’ll last into 2027.

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.

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 didn’t respond immediately to CNET’s request for more information.

Senior editor Ty Pendlebury has been reviewing TVs and home entertainment for CNET since 2006. He has a cat named after one of the best TVs ever made.

See full bio