Grand Theft Auto VI launches on 19 November 2026 and it won't run on older hardware. If you're still on a PS4 or Xbox One, you'll need to upgrade before you can play. This guide tells you exactly which consoles work, which one is worth buying, and how to get one without spending more than you need to.
✨ GTA 6 is compatible with PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S only. No PS4, no Xbox One, no PC version is currently confirmed. For most players, a base PS5 or Xbox Series X is the right call: both run the full game, and neither requires a pricey upgrade to the PS5 Pro. If you're still on last-gen hardware, trading in your current console is a smart way to offset the cost of upgrading. And if you're after a GTA 6 console bundle, Back Market has something in the works...more on that below.
Why trust Back Market on this?
Back Market has been the go-to destination for refurbished consoles since 2014. Every device sold through our marketplace is professionally tested and inspected by our network of vetted refurbishers, and backed by a 12-month commercial warranty. We know this hardware inside out, so we have a good idea of what'll give you the best experience when Vice City loads up for the first time.
The verdict: PS5 is the best console for GTA 6
The PS5 is the best console for playing GTA 6 for most players. It runs the complete game, supports all in-game features, and costs significantly less than the PS5 Pro. The Xbox Series X is a strong alternative if you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem: both deliver the same GTA 6 experience. The PS5 Pro adds visual polish but does not unlock extra content or a confirmed 60fps mode, making its higher price hard to justify for the vast majority of players.
Which consoles can play GTA 6?
GTA 6 is confirmed for four consoles, all of them current-gen:
PlayStation 5 (disc and digital editions)
PS5 Pro
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series S
GTA 6 is not compatible with PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, or Xbox One X. Rockstar Games has confirmed no PC version at launch. If you're gaming on older hardware right now, you'll need to upgrade before 19 November 2026 to play on day one.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X/S: which is better for GTA 6?
Playing GTA 6 on a PS5 is the more rounded pick for most players, for one straightforward reason: Sony has an official marketing partnership with Rockstar Games for the title, and the PS5 version supports DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. That means you'll feel weapon recoil, road surfaces, and environmental feedback through the controller in a way the Xbox controller doesn't replicate.
Otherwise, the Xbox Series X runs GTA 6 identically in terms of content and frame rate. If you already own an Xbox or prefer the Microsoft ecosystem, there's no reason to switch platforms for this game.
The Xbox Series S is the budget-friendly option. It plays GTA 6, but at a lower resolution than the Series X or PS5, which is only likely to be noticeable on larger screens.
✨ If you don't already own a current-gen console, go PlayStation 5 for the fullest GTA 6 experience. If you're already Xbox, stay Xbox. The difference in gameplay between the two is negligible.
GTA 6-compatible PlayStation consoles
GTA 6-compatible Xbox consoles
PS5 Slim vs PS5 Pro: which PS5 should you choose for GTA 6?
This is the question that's dominated gaming forums since the GTA 6 release date was confirmed, so let's cut to it.
PS5 Slim (£519.99 digital/£569.99 disc edition): Runs the complete GTA 6 with no compromises on content. Same CPU as the PS5 Pro, same game library, same DualSense features. For most players, this is the right choice.
PS5 Pro (£789.99): Officially listed as "PS5 Pro Enhanced" on the PlayStation Store, meaning improved image sharpness via PSSR AI upscaling and more stable frame rates. The GPU renders up to 45% faster than the base PS5. However, a 60fps mode has not been confirmed by Rockstar. If the game launches at 30fps across all consoles, the Pro's advantage shrinks to a cleaner picture. You're paying a significant premium for visual polish, not extra features or content.
PS5 Slim | PS5 Pro | |
Plays GTA 6 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
GTA 6 content | Full game | Full game |
Computing Unites (The more CU's the higher resolution and smoother frame rates) | 36 CUs | 60 CUs |
PSSR Integration (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) | No - standard checkerboard rendering | Yes - AI-driven hardware for cleaner 4k experience |
Confirmed 60fps | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
Disc drive | Yes (disc edition) | Sold separately |
Best for | Almost everyone | 4K display owners, enthusiasts |
UK Price | £519.99 digital / £569.99 disc edition | £789.99 |
✨ For most players, the base PS5 Slim is the smarter buy. The Pro adds visual refinement providing smoother gameplay at a higher resolution (meaning less blurry or choppy frames). It's ideal for gaming on larger, high-end 4K OLED/QLED TVs, but aside from visuals, the game is the same on both.
How to upgrade your console for less
If you're still on PS4 or Xbox One, the upgrade cost doesn't have to sting as much as it looks on paper.
Trade in your current console. Back Market's trade-in programme accepts gaming consoles including PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, and Xbox One X. You get a cash offer in minutes through the Back Market website or app, ship your old console for free, and receive payment once it's assessed by a professional refurbisher. That money goes straight towards your next console.
Buy a refurbished current-gen console. A refurbished PS5 or Xbox Series X on Back Market costs significantly less than new, and every device is sold by professional refurbishers who have tested, inspected, and cleaned it. Each comes with a 12-month commercial warranty, on top of your statutory rights under UK consumer law.
Time it right. If 19 November isn't a hard deadline, keep an eye on refurbished console prices through late November. Seasonal pricing tends to bring some of the lowest prices of the year around Black Friday on Back Market. Patience pays.
✨ Trade in what you have, buy refurbished, and you've got the most cost-effective path to a GTA 6-ready console.
Bottom line
GTA 6 requires a PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S. If you're on older hardware, now is the time to plan your upgrade.
For most players, a base PS5 or Xbox Series X is the right console: both run the full game without compromise. But if you have a higher end 4K TV and want to get the smoothest, most visually appealing gaming experience, than the PS5 Pro is your best bet.
The smartest way to get there is to trade in what you have and put that towards a refurbished current-gen console on Back Market. You'll spend less, still play on day one, and won't have to wait for a 60fps mode that may or may not materialise. And if the GTA 6 bundle is what you're after, stay tuned: more details are coming very soon.
