‘GTA 6’ Hype is Sending PS5 Pro Prices Through the Roof
Third-party retailers in the United States are charging well above Sony's $899 (£710) list price for the PlayStation 5 Pro, with listings reaching as high as $1,400 following Rockstar's release of an extended 26-minute preview of Grand Theft Auto 6 at the weekend. The footage, showcasing Jason and Lucia's exploits in Vice City with detailed graphics and destructible environments, was captured on PS5 hardware, fuelling demand from fans keen to play the enhanced version of the game when it launches. Major retailers have struggled to keep the console in stock, allowing resellers to capitalise on the surge in interest.
Rockstar has confirmed GTA 6 will feature PS5 Pro enhancements, though details remain unclear, adding further incentive for buyers seeking the most powerful way to play. Listings at Walmart and Best Buy have included a $1,299.99 sale from a third-party seller, well above the standard price. The article also notes that further price rises could follow if the Trump administration proceeds with proposed tariffs on semiconductors and console components, compounding a PS5 price that has already risen $150 since launch. Separately, Sony faces a class-action lawsuit in California over claims that customers are misled into believing they own digital games, when the company's terms describe purchases as licences rather than sales. GTA 6 is due for release on 19 November on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
- PS5 Pro resale prices hit $1,400 amid GTA 6 hype
- Rockstar confirms PS5 Pro enhancements for GTA 6
- Possible tariffs could push console prices higher still
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The PlayStation 5 Pro is a higher-powered version of Sony’s PS5 console, made for games that can take advantage of its stronger graphics performance. Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto series is a popular action-adventure franchise, and its next game is set in Vice City, a fictional city inspired by Miami.
Rockstar has said the new game will include enhancements for the PS5 Pro, although it has not explained what those will be. The console is also available through third-party sellers, whose prices can differ from Sony’s list price; proposed US tariffs on console components could add to costs if they go ahead.
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The case for
Strong demand for the PS5 Pro reflects consumers’ choice to pay a premium for a scarce console they believe will offer the best way to experience GTA 6. Retailers and resellers can argue that prices respond to supply and demand, while possible tariffs and rising production costs may put further pressure on console prices.
The case against
Prices far above Sony’s list price can make the console less accessible to fans and allow resellers to profit from shortages rather than provide extra value. Critics may argue that retailers should limit such mark-ups or improve supply, particularly when buyers have limited information about the practical benefits of the PS5 Pro enhancements.