GTA 6 Has Not Arrived Yet, but Consoles Are Already Disappearing From Stores

Grand Theft Auto 6 will not reach stores until November, yet the game is already creating a buying frenzy around Sony’s premium console. PS5 Pro units have disappeared from major American retailers, and some second-hand offers have climbed as high as $1,300.

The rush reflects players’ desire to upgrade their equipment before the release of one of gaming’s most anticipated titles. The PS5 Pro turns two in November, but the approaching launch has renewed interest in the more powerful PlayStation model. A price increase from $699 to $899 in March apparently did little to cool demand.

By Wednesday evening, PS5 Pro consoles remained unavailable at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target and PlayStation Direct. Gaming websites reported that Best Buy had only a limited number of opened display units, while GameStop offered used consoles. Availability of opened-box and used models varies by region.

Interest is also rising in Poland. Google Trends showed a sharp increase in searches for both PS5 and GTA 6 in recent weeks. The game is scheduled for release on Nov. 19 and will be available only on PS5 and Xbox Series X. New game materials have continued to appear online before launch, while Rockstar Games and Take-Two have tried to remove leaked content.

The PS5 Pro’s current price also stands well above the PS5 Slim, listed at $649, and the PS5 Slim Digital Edition, listed at $599. The article links rising console prices to the broader cost of memory, describing the phenomenon as “RAMageddon” and connecting it to the artificial-intelligence boom.