Best Console to Play GTA 6—PS5 Pro, PS5, Xbox Series X or Series S?

With GTA 6 expected to be one of the largest game debuts ever, plenty of people are already planning how they'll enjoy the game on day one. The PC version isn't expected to be available at launch, so the only way to jump into Rockstar's next open-world adventure right away will be on consoles.

Price, performance, graphics, and long-term value all factor into the proper console. A comprehensive list of all the consoles believed to have GTA 6 at launch, including their projected performance and price.

Xbox Series X|S

We'll start with the cheapest system on the list: the Xbox Series S. It's the least powerful system you can get to play GTA 6. As for hardware, the console features a unique AMD 8-core Zen 2 CPU and 10GB of RAM. However, the weakest part of this console is its GPU, which delivers about 4 TFLOPS of raw performance.

According to Digital Foundry's tech experts, given the Series S's overall power, GTA 6 is expected to run at 720p with a locked 30fps. The resolution is quite low, and the frame rate is similarly low.

Another limitation of the Series S is its graphics quality. Heavy graphical features such as ray tracing and advanced global illumination are also unlikely, as this will be the cheapest console capable of running GTA 6.

If you are planning to buy one, a brand-new unit costs around $350. However, buying a used console makes much more sense. A second-hand Xbox Series S can be found for around $230. We suggest opting for a used model, as it's difficult to justify spending more on a new Series S when better options are available on the used market.

Assuming GTA 6 launches at around $70, the combined cost of the console and the game comes to roughly $300 if you purchase a used unit. Overall, it is still a decent entry point if your primary goal is simply to play GTA 6.

If you also plan to play GTA 6 Online, you will most likely need an Xbox subscription. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs around $20 per month and provides access to many first-party titles, as well as several new releases on day one. Games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Expedition 33 launched on Game Pass immediately, and more titles continue to arrive regularly.

PlayStation 5

Next comes the most popular console on the market, the PlayStation 5. It has dominated console sales worldwide, making it the platform many players are most interested in for GTA 6.

In terms of hardware, the PS5 features a custom AMD 8-core Zen 2 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and an RDNA 2 GPU capable of delivering around 10 TFLOPS of raw performance.

If you already own a PS5, then there is very little to worry about. Rockstar confirmed that Trailer 2 was captured entirely on a base PS5. Shortly afterward, a detailed technical analysis by industry experts suggested that GTA 6 will most likely run at an upscaled 1440p resolution with a locked 30 fps.

Looking at the visuals shown so far, it is clear that GTA 6 will fully utilize the hardware capabilities of the current-generation consoles. As a result, expectations for 60fps on the standard PS5 remain extremely low.

A brand-new PS5 Disc Edition sells for around $550, while the Digital Edition costs approximately $500. Used models are significantly cheaper. Depending on the version you choose, you can expect to spend between $350 and $430 on a second-hand unit.

Assuming GTA 6 launches at around $70, buying a new PS5 and the game together will cost approximately $620. If you choose a used console, the overall price naturally decreases depending on the model.

Just like Xbox, playing GTA 6 Online on PlayStation will likely require a PlayStation Plus subscription. PlayStation Plus Deluxe costs roughly the same as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at around $20 per month.

While its library of games isn't as large as Game Pass's, it adds new titles monthly, and customers also get access to many PlayStation exclusives.

The PS5's largest strength remains its collection of exclusives. Compared to Xbox, PlayStation continues to offer a much larger collection of exclusive titles.

If you are confused between the original PS5 and the PS5 Slim, there is no need to worry. The PS5 Slim is essentially a revision of the original console. It features a smaller physical design and a bit more storage, but the actual hardware is the same.

Therefore, GTA 6 performance is likely to be the same on the PS5 and PS5 Slim. The only hardware change that matters is the PS5 Pro, which we'll get into next.