GTA 6 Effect Sends PS5 Pro Demand Soaring 348% in the UK
GTA 6 has convinced gamers to pick up a PS5
GTA 6 is already influencing the console market months before launch, with new UK data showing PS5 Pro demand jumped by 348% after pre-orders opened.
The long wait for Grand Theft Auto VI is doing more than generating hype among gamers. New consumer demand data suggests Rockstar’s upcoming blockbuster is also pushing players toward higher-end PlayStation hardware ahead of its November 19, 2026 release.
According to price comparison platform idealo, demand for the PS5 Pro increased by 348% week-on-week in the UK after GTA 6 pre-orders opened on June 25. Interest in the less expensive PS5 Slim also increased, although by a considerably smaller 38%.
The effect didn’t stop there.
Following Rockstar’s GTA 6 Extended Look in August, interest in the game surged again, with GTA 6 searches increasing by around 350% during the week beginning August 24. At the same time, demand for the PS5 Pro climbed another 144%.
GTA 6 Is Driving Interest in More Powerful Consoles
For players planning to experience GTA 6 at launch, the PS5 Pro has naturally become one of the most interesting hardware options.
Rockstar has shown an enormous open world packed with detailed environments, vehicles, characters, weather effects and a range of technical improvements. While Rockstar has not said that a PS5 Pro is required to play GTA 6, the game’s scale is clearly encouraging some players to consider upgrading their hardware.
The idealo figures don’t represent confirmed PlayStation sales. Instead, they reflect consumer activity and demand on the comparison platform.
Even so, the timing of the increases is notable.
The first major jump came directly after GTA 6 pre-orders opened, while another significant increase followed the game’s Extended Look presentation.
PS5 Pro Demand Jumped 348% After GTA 6 Pre-Orders
The biggest number in the data is the 348% week-on-week increase in PS5 Pro demand following the opening of GTA 6 pre-orders.
The PS5 Slim also benefited, recording a 38% increase during the same period.
That suggests GTA 6 isn’t only attracting existing PlayStation owners. Some gamers appear to be considering completely new hardware purchases to prepare for the game’s launch.
For anyone following the game’s hardware requirements, you can also check our coverage of [GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S] and our latest [GTA 6 news and updates].
Another 144% PS5 Pro Surge After the Extended Look
Rockstar’s Extended Look created another major wave of GTA 6 interest.
During the week starting August 24, searches for GTA 6 on idealo increased by approximately 350%. At the same time, PS5 Pro demand increased by 144%.
That’s an interesting pattern because it shows how major GTA 6 announcements can translate into hardware interest almost immediately.
For Rockstar, this is another indication of just how powerful the GTA brand remains. For PlayStation players, however, the situation could become more complicated if demand continues pushing prices upward.
PS5 Prices Have Also Increased
The demand surge comes at a time when PS5 pricing has already moved higher in the UK.
According to the data provided by idealo, average market prices for several PlayStation 5 models increased between June and September 2026.
| PlayStation 5 Model | June 2026 | September 2026 | Increase | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 Pro | £649.99 | £789.00 | +£139.01 | +21% |
| PS5 Slim Digital Edition | £439.99 | £495.99 | +£56.00 | +13% |
| PS5 Slim Standard | £479.99 | £519.99 | +£40.00 | +8% |
The PS5 Pro saw the largest increase in both absolute price and percentage terms.
The data also indicates that between June 25 and June 27, the average market price for the PS5 Pro increased from around £703 to £753.99.
That means players waiting for GTA 6 could potentially face a more expensive hardware market if demand remains high as the November launch approaches.
Why Are GTA 6 Players Upgrading?
There are several possible reasons behind the increased interest.
GTA 6 is expected to be one of the biggest and most technically ambitious games of the current console generation. Rockstar’s trailers and gameplay footage have repeatedly highlighted the game’s detailed world, advanced animations, weather systems, character interactions and enormous amount of environmental detail.
For some players, that may be enough motivation to replace an older console before launch.
The PS5 Pro is particularly attractive to enthusiasts who want the best possible console experience available without moving to PC.
However, it’s important to make one thing clear: there is currently no indication that players need a PS5 Pro to play GTA 6. The game is officially coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The Pro is an upgrade option rather than a requirement.
GTA 6 Could Continue Affecting Hardware Demand
The November 19 launch date is still ahead, meaning the hardware effect could become even stronger as the release gets closer.
More trailers, gameplay information, pre-order activity and reviews could all trigger additional waves of interest.
If the current pattern continues, GTA 6 could become one of the strongest individual game releases to influence console purchasing decisions during this generation.
For players who haven’t upgraded yet, though, the rising prices provide another reason to compare retailers carefully rather than buying immediately during a spike in demand.
With GTA 6 now approaching its launch window, the question isn’t simply how many copies Rockstar will sell.
It’s also how many players will buy a new console specifically to experience it.
GTA 6 Is Bigger Than Just a Game Release
The 348% PS5 Pro demand increase is only one example of the wider impact GTA 6 is already having on the gaming industry.
From pre-orders and hardware demand to merchandise and online discussion, Rockstar’s upcoming release continues to generate huge interest more than two months before launch.
And with GTA 6 releasing Globally on November 19, 2026, the biggest wave of demand may still be ahead.
Stay with GTAVI Galaxy for more GTA 6 news, updates, trailers, guides and everything GTA 6.
