PS5 Pro Shortage Before GTA 6: Is It Worth Paying $1,400?

GTA 6 lands on November 19, and a lot of people have decided they want to play it on the most powerful PlayStation money can buy. The result is a PS5 Pro shortage across the US and Europe, resellers asking well over list price, and, this week, GameStop pricing used units above what a new one officially costs. If you are wondering whether the Pro is worth chasing at these prices, here is what the evidence actually supports.

What's Actually Real Here

The shortage is real. After Rockstar's extended gameplay reveal on Netflix in late August, the PS5 Pro sold out at several major US retailers, and third-party listings on Amazon climbed to around $1,299, according to GamesRadar. In Germany, Mobiflip and GIGA report the same pattern: Sony's own store and big retailers have run dry, while marketplace sellers ask roughly €1,200 to €1,400 or more.

On October 6, Kotaku and Notebookcheck reported that GameStop had repriced used PS5 Pro consoles at about $1,399 to $1,499, depending on the model. For comparison, Sony's official list price for the digital PS5 Pro is $899.99 in the US, £789.99 in the UK and €899.99 in the eurozone, following a global price increase on April 2, 2026. Sony blamed wider economic pressures at the time, and reporting tied the rise to sharply higher memory chip costs.

The game date is also solid. GTA 6 is scheduled for November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is one of the most anticipated releases in years, so demand for hardware ahead of launch is not surprising.

Where the Hype Outruns the Reality

The core assumption behind the rush is that GTA 6 will look or run dramatically better on the Pro. Right now, nobody outside Rockstar knows how much better. Mobiflip notes that Rockstar has said nothing specific about PS5 Pro optimizations, and GamesRadar points out that the improvements are still unknown, adding that 60fps looks unlikely even on the Pro. Several outlets report the game will run at 30fps on the base PS5, but Rockstar has not published final performance targets for either machine.

That matters because the Pro's typical gains in other games are sharper image quality and steadier frame rates, not a different game. The gameplay shown in the reveal was captured on a standard PS5, per GamesRadar and GIGA. In other words, the base console is the machine Rockstar chose to show the game off.

The GameStop pricing is also a red flag rather than a signal of value. Paying $1,400 or more for a used console when a new one lists at $899.99 means you are paying a premium of $500 or more for timing, with less warranty cover and unknown wear. Kotaku cites an alleged internal memo describing the pricing as intentional. Notebookcheck reports GameStop's trade-in offers at roughly $800 to $850, which shows how wide the margin is on the resale side.

Finally, the shortage is a moment, not a permanent state. Sony said earlier in the year it had enough consoles for 2026, according to Mobiflip, although Pro supply has clearly fallen short so far. Restocks before or after launch are plausible, but there is no official restock date, so treat any promise of one with caution.

What to Do If You Want to Play GTA 6 on Launch Day

• Buy the base PS5 if you just want to play. German outlets Mobiflip and GIGA report standard models are still available at around list price, and they are generally far easier to find than the Pro. You get the same game, the same story and the same online mode.
• Only buy a Pro at list price. Set stock alerts on official retailer sites and Sony's own store, and walk away from anything far above $899.99, £789.99 or €899.99.
• Avoid used units priced above new. If you do buy used, check the return window, warranty status and whether the seller is the retailer or a third party on a marketplace.
• Wait for performance details. Once Rockstar or independent testers publish side-by-side comparisons, you will know whether the Pro difference is worth hundreds more to you.
• Remember the game will be there later. GTA 6 is a game people will play for years. Missing launch week on the Pro costs you very little; overpaying by $500 is money you will not get back.
• Consider Xbox Series X|S too. If you do not already own a PlayStation, the game is also launching on Xbox, so compare what is actually in stock near you.

FAQ

Is the PS5 Pro required for GTA 6? No. GTA 6 launches on the standard PS5 and on Xbox Series X|S. The Pro is optional.

Will GTA 6 run at 60fps on the PS5 Pro? Not confirmed. Rockstar has not announced frame-rate targets, and several outlets think 60fps is unlikely.

What is the official PS5 Pro price? $899.99 in the US, £789.99 in the UK and €899.99 in the eurozone since April 2, 2026.

Why is GameStop charging more for used PS5 Pros than new ones? New stock is scarce, so GameStop has set its own used prices based on demand. That is a retailer decision, not a change to Sony's price.

Will the PS5 Pro come back in stock before November 19? There is no official restock date. Restocks are possible, but plan as if you might not get one at list price before launch.

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Hype-o-meter: Overhyped

The shortage is real and GTA 6 is a genuine event, but paying $1,300 to $1,500 for a PS5 Pro is a bet on improvements Rockstar has not even described yet. The base PS5 runs the same game, the reveal footage came from one, and the Pro will still exist after launch week. Buy at list price or wait.

Sources

• GameStop Is Now Selling Used PS5 Pros For $1400 (Kotaku)
• GameStop increases used PS5 Pro price, with GTA 6 release likely a factor (Notebookcheck)
• PS5 Pros all but vanish after GTA 6 reveal (GamesRadar)
• Confirmed: PS5 console prices are being raised (Video Games Chronicle)
• Kurz vor GTA 6: Sony geht die PS5 Pro aus (Mobiflip)
• GTA 6 and PS5 Pro availability (GIGA)