PS5 Pro Sold Out Before GTA VI? Your Complete Game Plan
Grand Theft Auto VI lands on November 19, and the PS5 Pro, the most powerful console you can play it on, has been sold out at basically every major retailer for weeks. Here's how to avoid getting burned, and how to build a great GTA VI setup at any budget.
Every gear section below gives you a budget, mid-range, and premium pick, plus an honest note on who each one is for. On Xbox instead? Read the Xbox version of this guide.
1. Why the PS5 Pro is sold out
- GTA VI is console-only at launch. It releases November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no PC version at launch. The PS5 Pro is the obvious pick for the best-looking version on day one.
- The hype keeps building. Every new gameplay showing has sent another wave of buyers to retailers.
- Supply is tight. Memory and other component costs have risen sharply across the industry, which limits how fast production can ramp and is part of why the price went up this year.
By early October, the PS5 Pro was out of stock at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop, and PlayStation Direct. Restocks happen, but they've been selling out in minutes.
2. What resellers are charging
The PS5 Pro launched at $699 in November 2024. Sony raised the US list price to $899 in March 2026. That's the number to compare everything against.
| Where | What was listed (mid-October 2026) | vs. $899 list |
|---|---|---|
| GameStop | Pre-owned, about $1,400 | ~$500 over |
| Walmart | Open-box, $1,399 | ~$500 over |
| Best Buy (third-party seller) | $1,466 | ~$567 over |
| Amazon (third-party sellers) | Typically over $1,000 | $100+ over |
Prices move daily. Treat this as a snapshot, not a quote.
Read the fine print: many of the marked-up units are used or open-box. You'd be paying far more than a new console costs for one someone else already owned.
3. Is the PS5 Pro worth a markup?
The PS5 Pro is a great console: a stronger GPU than the standard PS5, Sony's AI upscaling (PSSR) for sharper images, a 2TB SSD, and Wi-Fi 7. But:
- GTA VI runs on every PS5. The Pro makes it look and run better; it doesn't unlock the game.
- A $500 markup is more than half the console's price. That money could buy a better TV or headset you'll notice every day.
- Shortages end. Paying peak prices for a few weeks' head start rarely makes sense.
- Your TV matters. On an older 1080p or 60Hz TV, much of the Pro's advantage is invisible. See the TV section.
Our take: Pay list price if you can find one. Don't pay $1,400. If you already own a PS5, keep it for launch and put the money toward a better screen or headset.
4. How to find one at list price
- Watch PlayStation Direct. Sony's store sells at list price and restocks without warning. Create your account ahead of time.
- Turn on stock alerts at every retailer and follow restock trackers on social media. Notifications beat refreshing.
- Save your payment and address at each retailer so checkout takes seconds.
- Call local stores. In-store shipments don't always show online.
- Consider bundles if the extras are things you'd buy anyway.
- Be patient after launch. Stock usually improves once the rush dies down.
5. How to avoid reseller scams
- Check who's actually selling. On Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, look for "Sold by" under the price. Third-party sellers have different return policies.
- Read the condition: "new," "open-box," "renewed," and "pre-owned" are very different.
- Never pay by wire, gift card, Zelle, or crypto for a marketplace deal.
- Far below list price means scam. Nobody discounts a sold-out console.
- Meet in public for local pickups and power the console on before paying.
- Watch for "box only" or "photo of" listings. They still catch people.
6. Smarter alternatives
Already have a PS5?
You're ready for launch. Spend your budget on the upgrades below instead.
Need a console now?
PlayStation 5 (standard, disc or Digital Edition)
Plays GTA VI on day one, and it's far easier to find than the Pro.
Pick the disc model if you buy physical games; the Digital Edition if you buy everything from the PlayStation Store.
Open to Xbox?
GTA VI launches on Xbox Series X|S too. Before you switch ecosystems, read our PS5 Pro vs. Xbox comparison and the Xbox guide.
7. Controllers: GTA VI edition, Edge & rivals
A second controller means you swap instead of stopping to charge. Here's how the options compare.
DualSense – Grand Theft Auto VI Limited Edition (Black or White)
Vice City-themed, with an iridescent purple-blue finish and a "VI" logo on the touchpad. Same features as a standard DualSense. Sony lists it at $84.99, launching November 19 in limited quantities.
Get it if you want a collectible that's also your everyday controller. Skip it if you just want a spare: a standard DualSense plays identically. Sony sells it on PlayStation Direct and through retailers, so it may not show up on Amazon right away.
DualSense Wireless Controller (standard)
Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, which games like GTA VI are built around. Comes in many colors.
Get it if you just need a second controller. This is the right pick for most people.
DualSense Edge
Sony's pro controller: remappable back buttons, swappable stick modules, adjustable trigger stops, and saved profiles.
Get it if you play for hours and want back-paddle control. Skip it if battery life matters: it's shorter than the standard DualSense.
Nacon Revolution 5 Pro
Officially licensed for PS5, with Hall-effect sticks (which resist stick drift), back buttons, and swappable parts.
Get it if stick drift has burned you before. Skip it if you care about the DualSense's haptics: third-party controllers don't fully replicate them.
Victrix Pro BFG
Licensed, modular controller: swap the stick and d-pad layout and add a fight-pad module.
Get it if you also play shooters or fighting games competitively. Skip it if GTA VI is your main game: it's built for competitive play.
Cheap unlicensed "PS5-compatible" controllers
Usually missing adaptive triggers and haptics, and they often disconnect or fail to wake the console.
Skip them. The DualSense features are a big part of how modern PS5 games feel.
8. Headsets: budget to premium
GTA games are known for their sound: radio stations, city noise, and voice acting. A good headset makes a huge difference.
HyperX Cloud III (wired)
Comfortable, with a great mic. Works with PS5, Xbox, PC, and your phone, and plugs in through a regular headphone jack or USB.
Get it if you want great sound for little money and don't mind a cable.
PlayStation Pulse Elite
Sony's wireless headset, tuned for PS5's 3D audio, with a retractable mic and the option to switch to your phone.
Get it if you're all-in on PlayStation and want a simple wireless setup.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (PlayStation version)
Top-tier sound, active noise cancellation, and two hot-swappable batteries so it never dies mid-session.
Get it if you game for hours and want the best. Make sure you buy the PlayStation version.
9. SSD upgrades: 5 drives compared
Open-world games are huge. The PS5 Pro has a 2TB SSD; standard PS5 models have less. If your drive is full, add space before launch night.
What the PS5 needs
- An M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen4, for the internal expansion slot. It's the only add-on storage that can run PS5 games.
- Read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster (Sony's recommendation).
- A heatsink, built in or added. The drive needs cooling inside the console.
- Capacity: 1TB minimum; 2TB is the sweet spot; 4TB if you keep a big library.
Three drives that match the PS5 perfectly
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink (2TB)
Rated up to 7,400 MB/s, comfortably above Sony's requirement. Available up to 4TB.
Get it if you want the most storage per dollar. It skips DRAM to save money, which can cause the occasional hiccup with heavy file copying, but games run great.
WD_Black SN850X with Heatsink (2TB)
A long-time favorite PS5 drive, rated up to 7,300 MB/s, with a heatsink version designed to fit the PS5.
Get it if you want a proven, reliable drive without paying top dollar. This is our default pick.
Crucial T500 with Heatsink (2TB)
Rated up to 7,400 MB/s, with a heatsink version made for PS5.
Get it if it's on sale for less than the WD. Performance in the PS5 is essentially the same.
Two premium drives (faster on paper)
Honest note: the PS5's slot runs at PCIe Gen4 speeds, so no drive will load games noticeably faster than the three above. Premium drives make sense for very high capacity, or if you'll move the drive into a gaming PC later.
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink (2TB or 4TB)
One of the fastest Gen4 drives made, rated up to 7,450 MB/s, with Samsung's reliability record.
Get it if you want the best Gen4 drive and the 4TB option. Buy the heatsink version: this drive runs hot.
Crucial T705 with Heatsink (Gen5)
A PCIe Gen5 drive rated far faster than the PS5 can use. In a PS5 it runs at Gen4 speeds.
Get it only if you plan to move it into a Gen5 gaming PC later. For PS5 alone, it's money with no benefit, and its large heatsink may not fit every PS5 model. Check the fit before buying.
Also worth knowing: a USB external drive can't run PS5 games, but it can store PS4 games and park PS5 games you aren't playing. That's faster than redownloading them.
Samsung T7 portable SSD
Fast USB storage for parking games and playing PS4 titles.
Get it if you have a big library and want to swap games in and out quickly.
10. How to install an SSD in your PS5
It takes about 10–15 minutes and a small Phillips #1 screwdriver. The steps are the same idea on every PS5. How the cover comes off differs between the original PS5, the Slim, and the Pro, so keep Sony's official guide open for your model.
- Update the PS5's system software first, under Settings → System → System Software.
- Turn the console fully off. Don't use Rest Mode. Then unplug every cable and let it cool.
- Put it on a soft, flat surface and touch something metal to discharge static.
- Remove the cover as shown in Sony's guide for your model.
- Remove the expansion slot cover (one screw).
- Remove the screw and spacer inside the slot, then move the spacer to the hole that matches your drive's length (most drives are 2280).
- Insert the SSD at a slight angle into the connector, press it down flat, and secure it with the screw.
- Put the slot cover and console cover back on, then reconnect the cables.
- Turn it on. The PS5 will prompt you to format the drive. Accept, and note the read speed it reports.
- Choose where games install under Settings → Storage → Installation Location, and move existing games over if you like.
11. TVs: budget to premium
A PS5 Pro on an old TV is like a sports car stuck in traffic. Look for 4K, 120Hz, HDMI 2.1, VRR, and good HDR.
TCL QM-series Mini-LED (e.g. QM7)
Lots of gaming features for the money: 4K, 120Hz or higher, HDMI 2.1, VRR, and bright HDR.
Get it if you want a big upgrade without spending big. Check that your size has HDMI 2.1.
Hisense U8-series Mini-LED
Very bright, strong HDR, and full gaming support. Great in bright rooms.
Get it if you play during the day or in a room with windows.
LG C-series OLED
Perfect blacks, instant response, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Many consider it the gold standard for console gaming.
Get it if you want the best picture for GTA VI's nights and neon. It's at its best in dim rooms.
Free fix: plug the console into the TV's HDMI 2.1 port (often labeled 4K@120 or "Game"), turn on Game Mode, and run the PS5's HDR calibration.
12. Charging, stand & disc drive
DualSense charging station
Charges two controllers at once and keeps them off the floor.
Get it if you own two controllers. You'll use it every day.
Vertical stand for PS5
The PS5 Pro doesn't come with a vertical stand. Sony's stand fits the Pro and Slim.
Get it if you want the console upright.
Disc Drive for PS5 consoles
The PS5 Pro and Digital Edition don't have a disc drive. This add-on lets you play physical games.
Get it if you're buying GTA VI on disc.
PlayStation Portal
Stream your PS5 to a handheld screen when someone else wants the TV.
Get it if you share a TV. It needs a solid home Wi-Fi connection.
13. Launch-week checklist
- Update your PS5's system software.
- Clear storage space, or install your new SSD.
- If you bought digitally, check for pre-load.
- Charge both controllers.
- Turn on your TV's Game Mode and confirm you're using the HDMI 2.1 port.
- Run the PS5 HDR calibration.
- If you play online, make sure PlayStation Plus is active.
- If your internet is slow, plan the download for overnight.
14. FAQ
Does GTA VI need a PS5 Pro?
No. It runs on standard PS5 consoles too. The Pro improves visuals and performance.
When is GTA VI coming out?
November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
What's the PS5 Pro's official price?
$899 in the US, after Sony raised it from the $699 launch price in March 2026.
Will a Gen5 SSD make my PS5 faster?
No. The PS5's slot runs at PCIe Gen4 speeds. A fast Gen4 drive performs the same in practice.
Is the GTA VI controller better than a normal DualSense?
It plays the same. The difference is the Vice City design and limited availability.
Should I buy a used PS5 Pro for $1,400?
For most people, no. That's about $500 over the price of a new one. Wait for a restock, or play on a standard PS5.
Bottom line: Don't let launch hype push you into a $500 markup. Get the console you can find at a fair price, then spend smart on storage, a good headset, and the screen you'll actually be looking at.