Major Retailer Warns of Potential PS5 and Xbox Shortages Due to GTA 6 Launch

A muscular man with tattoos and sunglasses leans on a pink railing while a woman with short hair and a sporty outfit sits behind him, both in a neon-lit environment.
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By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

A muscular man with tattoos and sunglasses leans on a pink railing while a woman with short hair and a sporty outfit sits behind him, both in a neon-lit environment.
  • Primary Subject: Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6)
  • Key Update: An anonymous retail buyer warns that persistent component shortages paired with massive holiday demand for GTA 6 will likely outstrip the supply of current-gen consoles.
  • Status: Confirmed report of retail industry warnings (Xbox executives have also publicly acknowledged current supply constraints).
  • Last Verified: June 26, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Gamers are being advised to buy a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S now, as an impending holiday console shortage is expected due to massive GTA 6 demand.

GTA 6's pre-orders have officially gone live, but it's not just the game that's being hoarded.

It appears console sales are also on the rise due to the game's impact. For some people, they're only getting a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S to play the new entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. However, it appears that if you're planning to score your console closer to the game's release date, you may not be able to secure one for yourself.

Here's everything we know about the situation.

Major Retailer Warns About Possible Console Shortage Due to GTA 6 Release

The Game Business posted a piece talking about a possible console shortage for this upcoming holiday period, when GTA 6 is scheduled to release.

A curly-haired woman and a man in a suit sit inside a yellow taxi at night, surrounded by colorful city lights.
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Credit: Rockstar Games

They claimed that a major retailer has warned them that there likely won't be enough PS5 or Xbox Series units to meet the demand over the last few months of the year.

READ MORE: GTA 6 Vehicles Guide: Every Ride Confirmed for Land, Air, and Sea

The anonymous tipper told the publication, “We’ve been informed that because of the ongoing issues around hardware component availability, we won’t be getting the units we want ahead of GTA. Demand will likely outstrip supply during the year-end period.”

There's fear that scalpers aren't just hoarding physical versions of GTA 6 - they're also hoarding consoles so that people will be able to play the game.

A group of people in a vibrant, urban setting with a motorcycle, neon colors, and a playful atmosphere.
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Credit: Rockstar Games

Both Xbox and PS5 had price increases this year due to the increasing costs of hardware components and the ongoing global memory shortage.

READ MORE: How GTA 3 Shattered Boundaries and Redefined the Open-World Genre Forever

This, paired with scalpers' possible hoarding of consoles, might make it difficult for gamers who are waiting for GTA 6's release date to secure their game and console at the same time. Although this is still just speculation, the best thing you can do is secure your console now before supplies run low.

GTA 6 is set to come out on Thursday, November 19, 2026. A PC version hasn't been announced, and the port is expected to come sometime after the game's initial release.

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