Where can you buy a PlayStation 5? The GTA VI effect has driven prices up and cleared the shelves

Where can you buy a PlayStation 5? The GTA VI effect has driven prices up and cleared the shelves

• After the GTA VI showcase on 27 August, the PS5 Pro cleared out at major retailers across Europe

• Against a UK RRP of £789.99, the console is widely out of stock or only available from third parties

• UK RRP now runs £569.99 for the standard PS5, £519.99 Digital and £789.99 for the Pro

• GTA VI arrives 19 November 2026, exclusively on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

• The standard PS5 is entirely sufficient, because the game targets 30 frames per second

What actually happened

The story starts earlier than most people remember. On 27 March 2026 Sony announced a global price increase across the whole PlayStation 5 family, effective 2 April. In the UK that meant £90 on every console: the standard PS5 went from £479.99 to £569.99, the Digital Edition from £429.99 to £519.99, and the PS5 Pro from £699.99 to £789.99. The PlayStation Portal rose £20 to £219.99.

At £789.99 the PS5 Pro became the most expensive home console ever released. For context, the PS5 launched here in 2020 at £449.99 for the disc model, so British buyers now pay £120 more for the same core hardware.

That was already the third increase in Europe during this generation. It makes the PS5 the first PlayStation in history to get more expensive over time rather than cheaper, since every previous generation became more accessible as the years passed.

The cause is not GTA alone. The decisive factor is the memory market. Enormous demand from the artificial intelligence sector has driven up prices for RAM chips and storage, which hits production costs across consumer electronics, not just consoles.

The GTA VI showcase poured fuel on the fire

The real rush began on 27 August 2026, after the 26-minute gameplay showcase "GTA VI: An Extended Look" on Netflix. The game arrives 19 November 2026 and will be available at launch only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no PS4, Xbox One or PC versions.

The effect was immediate and it reached across Europe. Against a continental RRP of €899.99, offers on OTTO start around €999, Media Markt and Saturn show the console as sold out or available only through third parties at €1,299.99, and a bundle with EA Sports FC 27 was listed at €1,379.99. Some Amazon listings carry shipping windows measured in months.

British buyers face the same pattern in sterling. Stock at the major retailers thins quickly after each restock, and where the console does appear it increasingly comes through marketplace sellers rather than the retailer itself, which is where the premiums sit.

Gaming analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis put the underlying cause plainly to Eurogamer: the prolonged rise in memory and storage prices, both essential to console hardware, made these increases close to inevitable.

This applies mainly to the Pro. The standard PS5 has also risen and can be harder to find, but the situation there is considerably calmer.

Why the standard version is enough

This is the most important practical conclusion of the whole affair, and the argument that gets lost in the buying panic.

Rockstar's entire showcase was captured on a standard PS5, and the notice saying so appears explicitly at the end of the footage. The game looked excellent.

Then there is performance. GTA VI targets 30 frames per second on PS5, and a 60fps mode on the Pro is considered unlikely given the CPU load. Rockstar has confirmed the Pro will receive enhancements but has not said what they are. Realistically that means higher resolution or better lighting rather than smoother play.

Anyone buying a Pro hoping for 60fps in GTA VI is probably buying something other than what they think.

Is it worth waiting

Probably not, though for a different reason than is often given.

Sony stated in July that it had secured the memory components needed for its fiscal 2026 sales targets. The problem is that holiday demand has outrun those projections. The issue is therefore not global supply as such but its distribution over time: the closer 19 November gets, the higher the demand and the slimmer the chance of a deal.

Analysts do not rule out further increases if the memory situation fails to settle. Pre-April prices are history.

Where to buy the PS5 with Soleback cashback

Availability at retailers can change, so we recommend checking this list regularly. Console stock levels can shift hour by hour at the moment, and individual retailers' offers appear and disappear.

• The Game Collection, up to 1 percent

• Conrad, up to 0.6 percent

• GAME, up to 0.45 percent

• Argos

• Currys

• Amazon.co.uk

The Game Collection carries the highest rate here, while Argos and Currys have the densest store networks, which when hunting stock often matters more than the price itself.

What else to watch for

Check the cashback terms. Games consoles are a very low margin category, which is why rates here run noticeably below those on accessories or games. It is worth a look at the exclusions in each retailer's terms before buying.

Consider the standard version over the Pro. The price gap is substantial today, and with a 30fps target and a showcase captured on a standard PS5, the premium may simply not pay for itself.

Be careful with third-party listings. With demand where it is, the secondary market carries both prices well above retail and outright scams, from fake auctions to sites promising early access to the game. Watch also for shipping windows measured in months, which turn up on seemingly cheap offers.

Bundles with a game can be worthwhile. In the run-up to Christmas, Sony and retailers often prepare packages with titles included, which can genuinely reduce the total cost of entry.

FAQ

Why has the PS5 gone up in price?

Two things combined: Sony's global increase in April 2026, driven by the memory market, and the jump in demand after August's GTA VI showcase.

When does GTA VI release?

19 November 2026, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Do I need a PS5 Pro for GTA VI?

No. Rockstar's showcase was produced on a standard PS5, and the game targets 30 frames per second on both versions.

What does the PS5 Pro cost now?

The UK RRP is £789.99, up £90 from £699.99. The European RRP is €899.99, with third-party offers running from €999 to €1,299.99.

Will prices return to pre-April levels?

Nothing suggests they will. Analysts do not even rule out further increases.

Where can I buy with cashback?

Through The Game Collection at up to 1 percent, Conrad at 0.6 percent and GAME at 0.45 percent.

In summary

If you intend to buy a PS5 for GTA VI, do it sooner rather than later. There are under three months to release, and every week brings us closer to the point of peak demand and scarcest deals.

And before paying the premium for a Pro, check whether you actually need it. On a game targeting 30 frames per second, shown off on a standard PS5, that price gap buys less than it appears to.