The countdown to GTA VI is officially on. Rockstar’s long-awaited sequel launches November 19, 2026, but if you haven’t bought a current-gen console yet, the timing could not be worse. Both Sony and Microsoft raised prices by $100 to $150 in August, putting the PS5 Pro at $899 and the Xbox Series X at $799.99. Pair that with the $79.99 standard edition of the game, and day one in Vice City is looking like a four-figure commitment.

And there’s no cheap escape route. GTA VI is a console exclusive at launch, so PC players are stuck waiting until at least Q1 2027, and it won’t run on the Switch 2, PS4, Xbox One, or handhelds like Steam Deck. If that weren’t enough, AI-driven supply chain shortages have pushed electronics prices up 17% to 42% across the board, and rumors say next-gen consoles could land between $1,000 and $1,800. The AI boom is great for tech companies and rough for anyone’s gaming budget.

So the real question heading into November isn’t whether GTA VI will be incredible. It’s whether one game is worth nearly a grand of hardware to play it the moment it drops. Would you buy a console for a single game, or is that a hard pass? Tell us on socials.