With GTA 6 now just over a month away - who can believe that after all this time - Amazon Prime Day deals might just be the best opportunity to get your setup ready. The game launches before Black Friday, so if you're looking to get a new controller, TV, speaker system, headset, or gaming platform before it arrives, now's the time to use the discount Papa Bezos is giving us.

Amazon's Prime Big Deals event is currently underway and will run until midnight tonight, so you don't have that long to make the most of it. I've been scouring the shelves for all the discounts that will make that first boot of GTA 6 feel like it's been worth the wait. I'm using years of experience testing all sorts of gaming hardware professionally here to recommend the kit that will enhance your experience. From the best gaming TVs to the best sound systems, these are the Prime Day PS5 deals and Xbox savings I'd use to deck your space out with the ultimate GTA 6 setup.

We're not just grabbing any old tat here, though. Oh no, these are discounts on the tech we've been hands-on with and recommend every day. You'll find our absolute top picks just below, our favorite TV, controller, headset, and sound system also taking part in this week's Prime Day offers. Of course, we're still roaming those virtual aisles, and you'll find all our latest picks further down the page. If you want budget or even mid-range alternatives, follow along with me as I live blog the discounts I find.

Quick links

• TVs: from $207 at Amazon
• Controllers: from $21 at Amazon
• Headsets: from $29 at Amazon
• Monitors: from $122 at Amazon
• Soundbars: from $99 at Amazon

The setup so far

Live updates

October 7, 2026 – 6:39 AM

Two more affordable PS5 controllers if Scuf is too pricey for you

If Scuf is feeling a little too pricey for you, I'd take a look at either the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro, or the Razer Raiju V3 Pro. Both are great controllers I got to review, and I'd recommend either.

Both of them are seeing discounts right now, with Nacon coming out as the more affordable one. That's to be expected since it's a bit older than Razer's latest PS5 pad that only launched this time last year.

The only caveat? Nacon's launching an updated Revolution 5 Unlimited, which has a lot of great refinements. Maybe click the highlighted text to read more, and if you can do without those for the cheaper price, check out the deal below.

Razer Raiju V3 Pro: $219.99 $161 at Amazon

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro: $180 $138 at Amazon

Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album is available to pre-order for $49.99 at Best Buy and is a 34-track, 2 LP gatefold set featuring a neat pink and purple splatter effect. The colors are perfectly suited for Vice City vibes of the series' upcoming installment, and are exclusive to Best Buy. While you can pre-order straight from Rockstar, the splatters are blue rather than purple. If you want to add something GTA 6-related that's actually physical, I highly recommend grabbing this Best Buy version before resellers do.

I'm genuinely surprised that any versions of the soundtrack are still available to pre-order, especially as fans seemed hungry for the official GTA 6 PS5 DualSense controllers. Exclusive record releases, particularly video game soundtracks, can be prime fodder for resellers to get their hands on and pop on the likes of eBay to make a profit, but fortunately that has yet to come to fruition.

I'd still recommend that both GTA and vinyl fans alike pick up a copy just in case that scenario becomes a reality. While the Best Buy version remains in stock, the liquid-filled copy of the record has already sold out at Rockstar's official online store. It included the same 34 tracks as the rest of them, but ditches the splatter effect for two transparent magenta discs filled with blue liquid.

That version is long gone and out of stock, and there's every chance that could happen to the rest of them, and I'm not taking any chances. As I'm based in the UK, I personally picked up the pink, blue and purple splatter version for £39.99 at Blood Records, but that's because I prefer buying from music specialists. Whenever I've ordered from generalist storefronts, my records have arrived with damage to their sleeves, but online record shops are typically better equipped to ensure that doesn't happen.

If you don't have a turntable or record player but love physical media, you can also pre-order GTA 6 The Album for $17.98 at Best Buy on CD. You'll be missing out on the exclusive poster, but you'll get the same 34-tracks as vinyl fans.

• View all video game vinyl at Best Buy

Check out our GTA 6 pre-orders page to find the best places to shop for console bundles and the game so you can be prepared for November 19.

I'm naturally talking about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, an open-world romp that has players scrambling for how to play PS2 games to this very day. It's easy to see why once you get a feel for what the GTA Vice City sequel is all about, as it trades the glitz and neon glimmer for the institutionally corrupt Los Santos and CJ's struggle to clear his family name and take on rival gangs.

Here's my big confession: I've never been that big into GTA as a franchise. Therefore, when it became clear that the latest entry would take us back to modern-day Vice City, I really wasn't too enthused. If anything, the fact that it's set to drop the '80s vibes that enticed me to drop into Leonida adds to that, and while my ears perked up upon hearing it will bring back a fan-favorite San Andreas mechanic, I reckon many of us should still just plug back in our PS2.

Play a GTA you actually own

Before you rush to the comments, I know full well a retro console from 26 years ago won't remotely provide the same absurd GTA experience as a new system. That is to say, if you're financially barred from playing the new sandbox, which is exclusive to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, you'll naturally want to reach for good old GTA V as a modern-day alternative.

At this stage, though, anyone who's hyped for GTA V has likely drained it for every piece of open-world novelty it can provide. It's for that reason that I reckon it's high time we pitched back up the PlayStation 2 in our living rooms, and not even just because I reckon fresher-faced players probably missed out on the third 3D entry.

Here's the thing: GTA 6 is arriving during one of the worst periods in history to buy new video games. Sony is rightfully coming under fire for choosing to end physical PS5 disc support in 2028, and Rockstar has already chosen to shove its sandbox in an empty box. This has prompted some anger from fans, with a rather unorganised collective attempting a "blackout" last month, but I reckon if you really want to make a punch via a protest, you should go completely offline just as GTA 6 lands.

I know there's no talking anyone who's got GTA 6 pre-ordered into passing it up for an offline PS2 experience. Therefore, I'm largely speaking to those of you who can't afford it or are choosing not to play, as if everyone who's not venturing into the sandbox switches back to the PS2, it could be enough to catch Sony's attention this time around.

As for how you're going to do that, there are really cheap ways to get the old PlayStation 2 up and running today. It largely becomes a question of how to connect retro consoles to modern TVs and monitors, and having spent the weekend testing a pretty cheap HDMI adapter, I can confirm it's a decent place to start.

For context, I usually use a dedicated upscaler like the GBS Control, as it takes an RGB signal via SCART, upscales things to 1080p, and deals with any funky, wobbly deinterlacing nonsense. However, I decided to give an adapter similar to the versions you see for $13.99 at Amazon a shot, and it got the job done with zero visual nonsense.

If you really want your consoles to look the part, you'll want to invest in either a GBS-C or an OSSC, as that will provide you with upscaling, retro scanline settings, and other perks that'll help things look crispier. But, I get that the whole deal here is acquiring an old GTA game to play in protest to the industry at large when you potentially don't have any gear already, so a passive HDMI adapter is a perfectly acceptable way to play.

On that note, you can pick up GTA San Andreas on PS2 for around $20 these days, and if you've not got an old console to play it on, you can grab one for under $80. Effectively, you can grab an old Grand Theft Auto and the hardware to play it on for potentially less than GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, which Sony claims you won't actually own.

You could say statements like that are fuelling my decision to revisit San Andreas rather than think about GTA 6. I get that it's completely cynical of me to say both games feature the same core mechanics of automobile theft, gunplay, and law-breaking missions, but really, Rockstar's whole shtick has remained the same for 30 years.

Old crime caper, new controller

I recently had the same conversation of "you should just re-play San Andreas on the PS2" with a friend. They initially fought me on the basis that they didn't want to use a wired DualShock 2 in the living room, so like some sort of spiv, I opened my metaphorical jacket to reveal a bunch of relevant gadgets.

I know for a fact some of you will be scrambling to say "just play the Definitive Edition on PC." Okay, yes, you can do that for a quick fix, but if you also want this project to double up as a light protest over the state of things, you should stick with an OG PS2. You can still help the old system feel nice and fresh by learning how to use new controllers with retro consoles, as if you grab an 8Bitdo Retro Receiver for $24.99, you can sync up a DualShock 4 or even the DualSense to your 26-year-old machine.

Will using a PS5 controller to play San Andreas feel authentic? Nah. Will it help cut the cord and make the setup feel discrete and slick? Absolutely. I absolutely understand that not everyone wants janky old ensembles cluttering their play spaces, and while I'll normally choose an OG pad as an enthusiast, I also test the best retro controllers made today in an effort to put together modern-feeling setups.

A bit of San Andreas inspiration

The initial reason San Andreas ended up on my mind amid GTA 6 is admittedly the mechanical links. The new sandbox is set to borrow the realistic lifestyle routine elements of the PS2 caper, with weight fluctuation and sleep requirements ready to become a part of the formula again. Both of those features were first introduced in 2004, and if it's part of the reason to buy the latest entry, then I'll choose to go backwards.

I should note that you don't have to specifically replay San Andreas to protest by playing other GTA games. Now is a pretty good time to revisit the OG romps like GTA 3, Vice City, or even some of the spin-offs like Liberty City Stories. If you get a base PS2 setup in place, you'll have access to those outings while the modern industry has its very expensive moment, and if you really have no interest in Grand Theft Auto, there are over 4,000 OG PlayStation 2 games that'll save you paying for anything new.

• PS2 adapters at Amazon
• PS2 controllers at Amazon

Swing by the best retro handhelds if you'd rather play classic GTA on the go.

GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders have been dropping all day, first with the UK's early launch and then with the US's 10am start time. While the PS Direct-exclusive black model is still a little tricky to get your hands on, the white version appears to be holding its own.

This lighter special edition controller sold out in a couple of hours in the UK, though is still up for grabs at EE at the time of writing. Right now, the US still has a few retailers to choose from as well. While Best Buy has ducked out of the race, Walmart, Amazon, and GameStop are all still fighting fit in this arena.

For quick reference; the black version is exclusive to PS Direct and the white model is being sold by wider retailers. GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders cost $84.99 in the US and £74.99 in the UK.

Both editions will launch alongside the game itself on November 19, so we've only got a couple of months to wait before logging in with a piece of memorabilia in-hand. With these being 'limited' rather than 'special' editions, I'd recommend locking in that GTA 6 DualSense pre-order as soon as possible. While more stock could become available closer to launch, this release is a hype juggernaut and things are already going to be particularly competitive.

This isn't my first time in this situation. I've been tracking tough-to-find pre-orders since those hectic early days of the PS5's launch, covering all major retailers (and many smaller ones in the hopes of finding stock) and learning how they work. That means I know where to look for GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders, and how to prepare to make sure you've got the best chance at success.

Quick stock check

• ✅ Amazon | In stock
• ✅ PS Direct | In stock
• Best Buy | 'Coming soon'
• ✅ GameStop | In stock
• ✅ Walmart | In stock
• Target | Check stock

UK

• PS Direct | Check stock
• ✅ EE | In stock
• Amazon | Check stock
• Smyths Toys | Check stock
• Very | Check stock
• Currys | Check stock
• Argos | Check stock

Where to pre-order the GTA 6 DualSense in the US

Where to pre-order the GTA 6 DualSense in the UK

How to prepare for GTA 6 DualSense pre-orders

Preparation is key to sailing through checkout when the heat is on. Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do now that will help you claim your controller when stock eventually lands.

1. Sign into your PlayStation account

Sony often requires its customers to be signed into a PlayStation account to have access to limited stock like this. Make sure you're logged in and that you stay logged in after your session, and be sure to double check shortly before that 10am go-time.

2. Save your payment and shipping details

Nobody wants to be sniped at checkout. When things are moving this fast, your GTA 6 DualSense pre-order isn't yours until you fully complete the order. That means you can get down to the final few clicks and still have your controller appear as out of stock at the end of it. This is a race to order confirmation, not a race to have one in your cart.

By making sure your payment and shipping details are up to date and saved you can sail through the checkout process in as little time as possible, reducing the chance of your gamepad being picked out your cart by a speedier player.

3. Refresh early

When the heat is on, PS Direct often uses a queuing process to keep demand from overwhelming its site. Getting into that queue as early as possible can make all the difference when there are only seconds between you and an 'out of stock' sign. Start regularly refreshing (but not mashing) the site from about half an hour out to make sure you catch the queue up front.

Live updates

Each gamepad launches at a pretty sizeable $84.99, though that's been the going rate for a special edition controller for a little while now, with pre-orders dropping on September 10 at 10am local time.

Available in either black or white, both gamepads feature a shimmery two-tone mid-section with a pop of neon purple in those icon legends and D-pad arrows. Both feature identical Vice City etchings around the main grips and controls, with palm leaves cut into the body of the gamepad itself, and replicated in the middle of that now-iconic VI stamp on the touchpad.

It's a nicely bold controller design, in the right light. Obviously Sony has positioned its shimmers and shines just so to create the classic Vice City vibe in its State of Play sizzle reel. However, if those embossed sections are as textured as they appear from press materials, your GTA allegiance should be pretty obvious in the hands.

Of course, you're still getting all the first-party features of the best PS5 controllers, with unparalleled (on the console) haptic feedback and that slick adaptive trigger system as well. Based on the GTA 6 pre-order hype and recent Xbox X25 pre-orders, these could well move fast when they hit the shelves, so I'd recommend marking September 10 on your calendar sharpish.

This marks the first special edition GTA 6 PS5 accessory we've seen so far. It's all but expected that Sony will launch its own PS5 bundles when the time comes, but a special edition console is still but a hope and a dream. Still, having something to hold in the hands is always appreciated right now. GTA's own digital-only release kickstarted a whole physical media debate earlier in the year, one Sony seems to have doubled down on in more recent announcements.

• See all PS5 controllers at Amazon

Don't care for the DualSense? We're also rounding up the best PC controllers and the best Xbox Series X controllers on the market.

But after watching the Netflix GTA 6 extended look (which is now up on YouTube) maybe too many times now, I've spotted some smaller details that you might have missed. From little references that call back to places and features we've seen in some of the best GTA games over the years, to things in the background that make the prospect of GTA 6 arriving this November even more exciting, there's a lot packed into this latest look, and I'm here to shout about it.

One of the things I love when it comes to big reveals like this is seeing the community come alive and pick apart the finer details, and as someone who's all about worldbuilding and life-sim-y elements, I've already honed in on things that make me personally excited. Be sure to share any discoveries you've made in the comments section below. But without further ado, join me as I break down the 7 things you might have missed in the GTA 6 extended look.

7. Hello there, Misfire Games

Right at the beginning of the GTA 6 extended look, Jason and Lucia meet with a character called San4San rocking a T-shirt (which also briefly appeared in the first trailer) with a logo that instantly caught my attention. Emblazoned on the front is "Righteous Slaughter: Hood Ops".

Parodying FPS games like Call of Duty, those who played GTA 5 may remember Righteous Slaughter 7, which you could see being played by Michael's son Jimmy at home. So it looks like the fictional in-game universe's developer, Misfire Games, is still going strong in GTA 6. It begs the question: will we see or even be able to play this new entry as Jason or Lucia?

6. Vice City wheels

My first proper introduction to the Grand Theft Auto series was actually GTA: Vice City. But I wasn't interested in the action, guns, and missions. I was there for the cars. I loved cruising around to '80s tunes of Flash FM back then, and there was one set of wheels I enjoyed hopping into the most: the Sentinel.

As GTA's fictional car brands go, it was always my favorite for some reason. So, imagine my delight when I clapped eyes on Jason and Lucia driving in an old convertible Sentinel model, which feels like a true call back to those Vice City (Dance Hall) days.

5. Fridge finds

During the extended look, we see Jason go to his fridge to get a drink. As much as it makes my life-sim-loving heart happy to see smaller activities like this alive and well in GTA 6, I actually honed in on the front of the fridge, which is adorned with a variety of stickers and photos.

One sticker comes from Fleeca Bank, a little nod to a well known bank chain in the GTA universe. I particularly remember it being featured in radio ads when I was playing as Nico Bellic in GTA 4. But it also appears in various entries in the series.

4. Box meals

GTA has always done a lot of parodies, and there's one very prominent one that sticks out in the GTA 6 deep dive. During the extended look we see some TV ads, with one showcasing the Prairie sandwich box meal.

With a frankly wild amount of meat slices piled between bread buns (with top bun fashioned like a cowboy hat), it clocks in at "only 30,000 calories. The ad at once looks like the many stacked sandwiches found at Arby's. So, it certainly looks like it's poking a little fun at the fast food chain.

3. '80s tunes

The extended look is full of music tracks, but to my well-trained Vice City, I loved hearing some of the '80s tracks that throw it back to the feel of Tommy Vercetti's era. As Jason goes up in an elevator, for example, you can hear Phill Collins' Against All Odds playing in the background, which instantly feels like a nod to GTA: Vice City stories.

Not only did Collins actually appear in Vice City Stories, where he performed In the Air Tonight, but it also features another one of his most iconic '80s tracks, Easy Lover, which played on Flash FM.

2. Under the sea

The GTA 6 map already looks very impressive, with sprawling cityscapes made up of various notable locations. With so much of the footage showing off a bustling Leonida and its many NPCs, I couldn't stop noticing the aquatic side of things.

The ocean is absolutely teeming with life, from manatees to dolphins, and stingrays. GTA 5 also boasted a highly detailed ocean, but it looks like GTA 6 is building on this even more. And with lots of scenes showing Jason underwater, or diving off a pier and riding on jetski, it looks like we'll have plenty of occasions to see this underwater world for ourselves.

1. Sweating it

With Leonida being home to a modern take on Vice City, the feel of the place wouldn't be complete without some neon-tinted nightclubs. During the extended look, we see Lucia and Jason go to a few, but what really caught my eye was the fact that Lucia is actually perspiring during one visit.

With GTA 6 promising to dial things up in the immersion and interactivity department in the expansive open world, we're set to see lots of new features that will affect Lucia and Jason in different ways to reflect your choices. And it looks like the interactivity will even extend to things like the temperature of the place you're in having an effect – like going into a busy nightclub, exercising, or sitting in the hot sun and sweating for it.

Join us as we Countdown to GTA 6 with lots of coverage on the next big GTA game.

It's a heartbreaking thing to admit, because despite 2026 already being one of the most expensive years for gamers thanks to the likes of RAMageddon, I was ready to upgrade my PC and even considered buying a PS5 Pro just to get in on GTA 6 shenanigans. However, as soon as GTA 6 preorders revealed a $80 price tag for the base game and $100 for the Ultimate Edition, I saw a picture of a pricey future that my pockets and I can't ignore.

It's no secret that gaming is getting more expensive, but it's also filled with so much choice. From classic games that still run just fine on current-gen consoles to indie games that don't set your machine on fire, I always have to really justify the long-term investment when upgrading my systems. And I fear GTA 6 has set a new, unsustainable premium price tag for legacy studios that, at the end of the day, isn't cost-effective enough to make me seal the deal anymore.

Looking ahead

I'm not against GTA 6's price by itself. Considering its market power and the level of global anticipation it's created, $80 is actually pretty reasonable and could have been a lot higher. GTA is also not the first game to hit the $80 price tag, with Nintendo jumping on that train back in 2025 with Mario Kart World. However, unlike Nintendo, which exists in its own premium, platform-exclusive bubble, GTA 6 (a multi-platform AAA game) has a lot more sway over the future of game releases as a whole.

Whether you are a PC player, Xbox Series X, PS5, or Switch 2 owner, AAA game prices affect us all. A luxury tier in gaming has been formally established, and while some prices have been high for a while, only a handful have passed the $70 mark. I fear we will see more titles from the likes of EA or Sony pushing an $80 base price to follow GTA's example. Paired with rising console and subscription costs and potentially new-gen machines releasing in 2028, will undoubtedly price many gamers out of their hobby.

Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, analyst Neil Barbour points out that "the push to $80 flirts with the same negative feedback loop that engulfed recorded music, cable TV, and film exhibition over the past two decades." He goes on to note that the higher price may result in fewer people buying, which will then "lead to fewer purchases, pushing vendors to offset slower growth with higher prices, which risks further alienating consumers." Higher prices may result in even higher prices. The end result is me looking at my gaming setup, which can run nearly all non-AAA games just fine, and wondering if an upgrade's even worth it?

The golden goose

I hope my bleak vision of the future isn't entirely correct and that other studios recognize that GTA 6 is an outlier that shouldn't be used as a basis for the rest of the industry's costing models. Let's be honest: Call of Duty won't get the same level of pandemonium that GTA 6 has. Rockstar has created a cultural moment in the gaming community, one where the vast majority of us will all be playing the same thing by the end of the year.

People can easily justify the $80 price point for GTA 6. However, asking people to continually justify that price for more and more games is unattainable. I'm very interested to see what 2027 price tags will look like once all the GTA launch buzz dies down and studios can start setting dates on their calendars for their games again. However, right now, my PC and consoles look like they are here to stay, and my bank account is side-eyeing the potential future of the market.

Upgrading my setup will be pricey no matter what if I do, especially if I decide to ignore my gut and do it this year. Of course, I want the best graphics and smoothest gameplay while playing the latest open-world games and best RPGs – who doesn't? But I don't need that if it's going to cost me nearly $100 each time. Especially when there are thousands of games (old and new) that run just fine.

If you want to go back to the classics, check out our list of the best GTA games and the best Rockstar games of all time next.

And people are more than willing to spend: apparently the AU$160 Ultimate Edition is outselling the standard edition.

As a reminder, GTA 6 officially releases on November 19 but you'll be able to preload your pre-order from a week ahead. That means it's imperative you find a retailer offering shipping ahead of the full release date.

GTA 6 got an extended look on August 28, breaking an extremely long info drought.

I've checked all the major stores carrying GTA 6 pre-orders to keep you covered here. Amazon, JB Hi-Fi and EB Games are among the major Aussie retailers currently sticking to that November 12 release date.

Both the Standard and Ultimate editions are now available, but those looking to upgrade their console at the same time may need to wait, with only one retailer offering a PS5 Pro bundle at present.

GTA 6 is pricey, but the RRP is slightly lower than many had anticipated. The Standard Edition has hit at AU$129.95 and the Ultimate Edition can be grabbed for AU$159.95 (though the latter is only available via PS Store or Xbox). All pre-orders come with the nostalgic Vintage Vice City Pack, but you're getting even more swag with the full release.

If you're after the GTA 6 soundtrack on vinyl or CD, see below for info on where to get it.

GTA 6 pre-order watch

• ✅ Amazon | Live now
• ✅ JB Hi-Fi | Live now
• ✅ Kogan | Live now
• ✅ The Gamesmen | Live now
• ✅ EB Games | Live now
• ✅ Big W | Live now
• ✅ PlayStation | Live now
• ✅ Xbox | Live now

Where to pre-order GTA 6 in Australia

Pre-order GTA 6 Ultimate Edition

Where to pre-order GTA 6: The Album in Australia

The GTA 6 soundtrack will release on CD and vinyl on November 19, with pre-orders open at JB Hi-Fi right now. "Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album features 34 original tracks that capture the electric energy of Grand Theft Auto VI’s world of Vice City and Leonida, with a genre-defying roster of the most exciting and preeminent artists in the world," reads the official description.

• JB Hi-Fi (limited pink / blue double vinyl) - AU$140
• JB Hi-Fi (black double vinyl) - AU$120
• JB Hi-Fi (2CD) - AU$36.99

GTA 6 pre-order bundles and discounts

GTA 6 pre-order bonuses explained

GTA 6 pre-orders come in two flavors; the simple Standard Edition and the Ultimate Edition. Both come with the Vintage Vice City Pack including:

• 1955 Vapid Stanier
• Jason - linen suit
• Lucia - red sequin dress
• Weapon skin

However, the Ultimate Edition packs a whole host of extra cosmetics, stores, and vehicles to enjoy:

• Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers
• Personalized weapon variants
• 95 Grotti Cheetah
• 67 Vapid Dominator Buggy
• Ganado Retro Build
• Classic Car Collection
• Shitzu Squalo
• Vice City Style Pack
• Jason's Safehouse Vehicles
• Rideout Customs Mod Shop
• Sara's Unisex Salon
• Stock 305 Clothing Store
• Estudio Electric Fang Tattoo
• One-Eyed Willie's Mod Shop
• Goodtime Gear
• PTT Youngin's Compound

If you pre-order either GTA 6 edition via PS Store or Xbox direct, you'll also receive a free month of GTA+. That nets you access to a bunch of monthlies in GTA Online, but also unlocks a catalog of rotating Rockstar titles.

Do you need to pre-order GTA 6?

Pre-orders on games are tricky. Their only real benefit is the exclusive in-game items that often come alongside that early commitment - the days of having to reserve your copy are (hopefully) behind us.

If you want to play as soon as the clock hits midnight, though, you will need to pre-order. Pre-load opens up on November 12, which means you'll be able to get everything sorted for the big day.

There's another problem on the horizon, though. Originally reported via The Game Business, it looks like retailers are going to struggle to keep consoles on the shelves come GTA 6's November release date. An unnamed retailer told the site they "won't be getting the units [they] want ahead of GTA... demand will likely outstrip supply during the year end period."

RAM shortages and rising SSD prices have consumer-facing MSRPs in a tailspin in the last year. While we'd normally expect the PS5 and Xbox Series X to be winding down to their heavier discounts at this point in their life cycle, they're more expensive than ever. With GTA 6's additional demand sitting on top of the traditionally busier November time frame, things could be squeaky later this year.

So what does it mean for you?

If you've been waiting for GTA 6 before upgrading your console, you might want to get in there before this November rush begins. That said, I wouldn't recommend buying a brand new device right now.

Those prices are far higher than they should be, and there are alternative routes available. PS Direct has its own stock of certified refurbished PS5 consoles that hold their previous MSRPs (if you're really lucky, you'll find OG stock for $399.99). This stock comes with everything you need to get started from day one, a 12-month warranty, and free delivery.

A PS5 Slim Digital Edition, the cheapest way to play GTA 6 on Sony's console, costs $499 through this program. It'll cost you $599 brand new these days and originally launched at $399.99 (though I haven't seen prices near that rate for some time now). If you're going for the disc version, you're looking at a $650 purchase, whereas a refurbished model is available for $549.

Xbox is a little trickier. There's a wider array of consoles to choose from and I often see Microsoft selling out of its refurbished stock a little quicker. That's where we find ourselves right now, while the Series S is still cheaper than a PS5 at $329, the full-fat Series X is nowhere to be seen. Instead, the cheapest 4K option in your arsenal is the 1TB Digital Edition, at $499.99.

Here's the bottom line. There's a lot of doom and gloom around console pricing right now, but you don't need to spend $900+ on a PS5 Pro for GTA 6. Refurbished consoles should be cheaper than they are right now, but there is still a way to get ahead of potential shortages later in the year and only spend a little over $300 while getting GTA-ready.

For more offers, check out the latest PS5 bundle deals or take a look at the Nintendo Switch deals before Ninty's own price increases launch in September.

There are ways to save on your GTA 6 pre-order. PS Store digital credit is going (slightly) cheaper in both the US and UK right now, and those across the pond can even save on some GTA 6 PS5 bundles with EE as well. I'd avoid heading to other countries' storefronts for a cheaper price, though. GTA 6 pre-order codes will only work in the region they were purchased in on PlayStation (Xbox is actually in the clear).

While many were expecting GTA 6 pre-orders to clock in at over $100, the Standard Edition has hit at $79.99 / £69.99 and the Ultimate Edition can be grabbed for $99.99 / £89.99 (though the latter is only available via PS Store or Xbox). All pre-orders come with the nostalgic Vintage Vice City Pack, but you're getting even more swag with the full release.

I've checked all the major stores carrying GTA 6 pre-orders to keep you covered here.

GTA 6 pre-order watch

US

• ✅ Amazon | Live now
• ✅ Walmart | Live now
• ✅ Best Buy | Live now
• ✅ GameStop | Live now
• ✅ Target | Live now
• ✅ PlayStation | Live now
• ✅ Xbox | Live now

UK

• ✅Amazon | Live now
• ✅ John Lewis | Live now
• ✅ Very | Live now
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Where to pre-order GTA 6 in the US

Where to pre-order GTA 6 in the UK

Pre-order GTA 6 Ultimate Edition

GTA 6 pre-order bundles and discounts

GTA 6 pre-order bonuses explained

GTA 6 pre-orders come in two flavors; the simple Standard Edition and the Ultimate Edition. Both come with the Vintage Vice City Pack including:

• 1955 Vapid Stanier
• Jason - linen suit
• Lucia - red sequin dress
• Weapon skin

However, the Ultimate Edition packs a whole host of extra cosmetics, stores, and vehicles to enjoy:

• Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers
• Personalized weapon variants
• 95 Grotti Cheetah
• 67 Vapid Dominator Buggy
• Ganado Retro Build
• Classic Car Collection
• Shitzu Squalo
• Vice City Style Pack
• Jason's Safehouse Vehicles
• Rideout Customs Mod Shop
• Sara's Unisex Salon
• Stock 305 Clothing Store
• Estudio Electric Fang Tattoo
• One-Eyed Willie's Mod Shop
• Goodtime Gear
• PTT Youngin's Compound

If you pre-order either GTA 6 edition via PS Store or Xbox direct, you'll also receive a free month of GTA+. That nets you access to a bunch of monthlies in GTA Online, but also unlocks a catalog of rotating Rockstar titles.

Do you need to pre-order GTA 6?

Pre-orders on games are tricky. Their only real benefit is the exclusive in-game items that often come alongside that early commitment - the days of having to reserve your copy are (hopefully) behind us.

If you want to play as soon as the clock hits midnight, though, you will need to pre-order. Pre-load opens up on November 12, which means you'll be able to get everything sorted for the big day.

What's Tempest 3D Audio, you ask? Well, it's essentially the name given to Sony's proprietary spatial audio technology, which allows you to don one of the best gaming headsets and hear your game's audio in a more realistic way. Instead of being able to pinpoint a character's location as they send a barrage of bullets your way from left to right, you can more accurately and realistically hear exactly where they're coming from in a 3D environment, which is going to be very handy when it comes to the crime-laden streets of the latest Grand Theft Auto.

The neat thing about it is that you don't need a specific headset to enable Sony's spatial audio tech. The console provides it out of the gate, so any of the best PS5 headsets will do the trick. Equipping your setup with cups specifically catered to the Tempest 3D Audio tech will have the best results, but I've gathered an arsenal of both, so you have plenty to suit your budget and PS5 needs - especially if your budget is a little low after securing your GTA 6 pre-order this week.

Check out our guides to the best PS5 controllers and the best SSDs for PS5 if you want to stay prepared for GTA 6 this November.

EE just dropped not one but two of the best PS5 console bundle deals I've spotted in a long time, including a deal for £808 (EE), which includes the beastly PS5 Pro and the standard edition copy of GTA 6 on PS5. To break that down, the PS5 Pro retails for £789.99 in the UK since the price increase. Meanwhile, GTA 6 is available for £69.99 on the PS5. If you were to buy them separately, you'd be expected to pay £859.98, so you're saving £51 here, which isn't too shabby.

Of course, if you already have a PS5, you can always check out our GTA 6 pre-order page and pick up the game separately instead to save the most bucks.

This PS5 Pro bundle deal wasn't the only one that EE had up its sleeve, as there's also a PS5 Slim Disc Edition bundle deal available to grab today.

It also comes with a Standard Edition copy of GTA 6 and is available for £588 at EE. Again, if you were to pick up the disc edition console on its own, you'd be expected to lay down its £569.99 post-price-hike MSRP. Taking the £69.99 (Amazon) cost of GTA 6 into consideration, that's a combined cost of £639.98, so you're saving £51.98 here - even more than the £49.99 saving EE insists it is.

Amongst all the many Prime Day PS5 deals currently running on Amazon, there's no console or bundle saving that's quite this juicy. If you were hoping to upgrade your old launch model to a PS5 Pro, this could be your calling, as I know I'm considering it after having to ensure the sound of my aging Sony console's fan over the last year or so.

Just remember that as GTA 6 doesn't launch until November 19, you likely won't get your new flashy console until then.

For more PS5 discounts, check out our hub to the best Prime Day gaming deals, which is full of savings on controllers, headsets, and games to keep you busy over until GTA 6 launches this November 19.

There's currently a £70 PlayStation Gift Card sitting at ShopTo for just £60.85 (ShopTo), a saving of a little over £9. If GTA 6 pre-orders were to drop to £69.99 tomorrow, that means you can get your copy for approximately £60 instead. Is it a huge discount? No, it's pretty insubstantial, but any help towards GTA 6 is one worth taking.

I was going to drop everything and grab the standard physical edition of GTA 6 tomorrow, but sadly, those are just going to be a download code in a box, according to Rockstar, so I'm opting for this ShopTo deal instead.

I'd much rather save £9 off the game, even though I'm really not a digital game fan in the slightest. I mean, I still have my physical copy of the very first Grand Theft Auto released way back in 1997, fold-out map and everything. Yet as much as I cherish my physical GTA copies, I don't quite fancy waiting to receive a plastic box in the mail with nothing significant inside it.

Grabbing this £70 PlayStation Gift Card deal instead won't add anything nice and physical to my game shelf, as the redeemable code will likely arrive in my email inbox. But the £9 I get to keep and put towards something else, like keeping in my account to help towards my monthly PlayStation Plus Premium fee, is a nice consolidation prize.

• View all PS5 gaming deals at Amazon

Check out our GTA 6 live pre-order page to keep track of all the latest news and buying links on the lead-up to the big day.

Okay, here's a recap so you're up to speed with the supposed timings. We know for a fact GTA 6 pre-orders will go live on June 25. The emergence of fresh Geekbench results also suggests the Steam Machine could launch next week, but keep in mind, Valve hasn't confirmed an official release date for its box. Prior leaks have suggested reviews for the mini PC will land on June 23, meaning there's a chance it'll go on sale two days later.

Yes, I'm sweating at the idea of the Steam Machine and GTA 6 landing at the exact same time. There's no guarantee it'll happen at precisely the same moment, but even both occurring in the same week is bananas. Yet, if playing the long-awaited sequel is a priority, and you're currently leaping to older hardware, the fact that it's not coming to PC will have narrowed your options.

Of course, I know there's a Venn diagram for people who want to both pick up GTA 6 day one and grab the Steam Machine. The immediate issue is that it won't be what you're playing on the box, as you'll be limited to PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S on November 19.

I do find it slightly amusing that GTA 6 will only be playable on a system that arrived six years ago and not a new-fangled, console market-disrupting powerhouse that'll arrive shortly before. It's these sorts of situations that could hamper the Steam Machine's efforts against the console status quo, especially if the box costs a chunk more than a PS5 Pro.

That said, PC players are well used to waiting for some of the biggest games (thanks, Sony), and since it'll eventually land on Steam, I'd start thinking about whether it'll actually run well on the Machine when it does grace the storefront. The big question is whether a demanding game like GTA 6 could break Valve's 4K 60fps general performance promise, and I suspect it will.

I should stress that since we're not getting a PC port yet, I naturally don't have GTA 6 system requirements to hand. So, rather than basing theoretical Steam Machine performance on recommended specs, all I can do right now is highlight how the crime caper will run on a base PS5, as that's the closest launch system to Valve's wee computer.

It's incredibly likely that if you're running GTA 6 on a vanilla PS5, you'll be playing at 4K 30fps. In theory, the Steam Machine should pack slightly more of a punch since its custom RDNA 3 CPU should be similar to an AMD Radeon RX 7600, but you'll be at the mercy of less optimized settings compared to the set experience on console.

If I were to guess a hypothetical sweet spot for GTA 6 on the Steam Machine, it'd be 1440p 60fps. That's with a little help from upscaling tools like AMD FSR 4.1, which will absolutely be needed if you've also got ray tracing switched on. That's not to say you won't be able to potentially get Rockstar's latest romp running at 4K, but you'll have to go through the usual PC gaming rigmarole of dialling in settings, and the visuals could take a hit as a result.

As I said above, though, conversations surrounding GTA 6 on the Steam Machine will have to wait. If Rockstar takes the same approach as GTA 5, it should eventually end up on PC, and I actually have a funny feeling Valve's box could make that happen sooner than later.

Take Two Interactive previously described console players as its "core consumers", attributing it as a reason for a delayed PC launch. But if the Steam Machine prompts those players to cross the aisle, and Microsoft sticks with Xbox Project Helix hybrid platform plans, the exclusivity could place a chunk of the intended audience for GTA 6 out of reach. Plus, many players are now also rocking gaming handhelds, so we'll perhaps see the publisher change its release strategy sooner than later.

I'm getting ahead of myself, though, so the takeaway right now is that while GTA 6 and the Steam Machine could go on sale at the same time, their paths won't actually cross. That's certainly going to help keep eyes on PS5 and Xbox Series X as its new rival takes to the stage, and as hyped as I am for Valve's mighty box, I get a feeling more players than ever will be reaching for a new console this year.

• More mini PCs at Amazon
• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Sticking with the classics for now? Swing by the best retro consoles and best retro handhelds for authentic remakes, emulation systems, and more.

To use the ghastly corporate term, Rockstar is a thought leader in video games. Where it goes, others are sure to follow: after all, the company effectively pioneered what open-world games look like. Even today, GTA Online has become one of the key titles that other multiplayer games try to unseat.

Gravitational pull

We still don't have a completely solid idea of what GTA 6 is going to look like when it rolls out in November, but we can be sure that it's going to make waves that reach the farthest shores of games. We can already see small hints of this. GTA 6's first trailer famously featured a TikTok/Instagram Live vertical video, which we saw repeated in the first trailer for Ananta. This isn't going to stop.

The upcoming year is effectively Rockstar's by default, and the choices it makes will likely be felt by gamers and game developers alike for years to come. If, for instance, it brings a business management aspect, as I vainly hoped for back in May, we're going to see it spring up in most major open-world titles.

Outside of systems, it will shape the approach that other devs take to world design, too. The map is going to be enormous, that much is certain, but we can likely expect unprecedented levels of detail, too. This has been a trend with Rockstar, who moved from the comparatively tiny GTA 3 to the sprawl of GTA San Andreas in one console generation, while Red Dead Redemption 2 expanded on GTA 5's map size and augmented it with varied terrain. We may also expect something of a tonal shift, even if it's not particularly seismic, as this is the first game in the series not written by Dan Houser – though the snippets of dialog that we've seen so far point toward a similarly satirical style.

Backstage Pass

There are also some unfortunate side effects to Rockstar's influence on games. As arguably the biggest developers in the industry, rockstar has a responsibility to lead by example. While the studio certainly didn't invent crunch, we've heard a lot of rough stories, particularly across the development of Red Dead Redemption 2 and even Bully over the years. That's before we approach the ongoing case of alleged union busting at Rockstar, which has seen a cohort of recently-dismissed former Rockstar North employees claim that they were sacked due to unionisation efforts. This has become so high-profile here in the UK that even the Prime Minister has got involved, but the case itself is still in process.

We can reflect on the way that larger developers' approach to their teams affects smaller devs, too. Indie games aren't immune to crunch pressures, and, as many game developers are either new to the industry or have previously worked at larger developers, they seek to emulate these conditions, seeing them as vital for creating a great game. There are many that don't, of course, but the vicious cycle continues to rumble on across the industry.

Here's my wish, for both us as consumers and the developers around the world who are anxiously awaiting the release of 2026's biggest title. I want the game to be as great as it possibly can be. I want it to be groundbreaking. However, I want it to be a game that its developers don't regret working on, and is instead one that they're rightfully proud of, giving the industry the positive feedback loop it needs right now.