A New Chart Highlights the Rising Costs of Playing the Next GTA

Grand Theft Auto 6 is shaping up to be the most significant video game launch in a decade. With its absence on PC at launch and the likelihood of not being available on the Switch 2, players eager to dive into Rockstar’s latest adventure have limited options. To experience GTA 6, you’ll need either an Xbox Series X, S, PS5, or PS5 Pro, and with the game priced at $80, getting in on the action is going to be quite the investment.

When comparing costs to previous GTA titles, adjusting for inflation reveals that while the numbers are closer than you might think, GTA 6 paired with a new PS5 still represents the priciest combination to date.

This analysis focuses on the least expensive new PlayStation console available at the time each GTA game launched, excluding PC and Xbox prices, as well as various spin-offs like Vice City Stories. For inflation calculations, I utilized a specific calculator and the latest data from May 2026.

The original Grand Theft Auto debuted in December 1997 on the original PlayStation, just after Sony had reduced the console’s price to $150. Yes, this will remind you that consoles used to drop in price over time. Back then, GTA launched at $50 in the U.S.

Cost to buy a PS1 and GTA in 1997 – $200 | In 2026 that’s about: $415

Grand Theft Auto 2 hit the PlayStation in October 1999, perfectly timed after a PS1 price cut. This remains the cheapest opportunity in history to snag a launch copy of a new GTA game alongside a new console. GTA 2 also launched at $50 in the U.S.

Cost to buy a PS1 and GTA 2 in 1999 – $150 | In 2026 that’s about: $298

Grand Theft Auto 3 arrived on PlayStation 2 in 2001, quickly becoming one of the console’s standout titles. It launched at the standard $50 price tag on the nearly year-old PS2. While not a launch title, it showcased the significant power upgrade from the PS1.

Cost to buy a PS2 and GTA 3 in 2001 – $350 | In 2026 that’s about: $660

Later this year, countless gamers will be exploring GTA 6’s revamped version of Vice City. Flashback to 2002, when millions were immersed in the PS2 version of Vice City, enjoying one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. This release came shortly after the first major PS2 price cut of $100.

Cost to buy a PS2 and Vice City in 2002 – $250 | In 2026 that’s about: $462

This was the first GTA title I eagerly anticipated, counting down the days until its release. I remember thinking the two-year wait between Vice City and San Andreas felt like an eternity. San Andreas launched at the end of the PS2’s lifecycle but became a massive success, benefiting from another PS2 price cut in 2004.

Cost to buy a PS2 and San Andreas in 2004 – $200 | In 2026 that’s about: $351

GTA IV marked the series’ transition to the next generation of consoles and was the first title to launch on both Xbox and PlayStation. In April 2008, the most affordable way to play GTA IV was to grab a price-reduced, discontinued Xbox 360 20GB model for $300, while the cheapest new PS3 variant was $400.

Cost to buy a PS3 and GTA IV in 2008 – $460 | In 2026 that’s about: $561

The latest GTA installment, released in 2013, is already 13 years old. GTA V launched on both Xbox 360 and PS3, with both consoles having been around long enough to see price cuts. At that time, both systems cost $300 for versions with enough storage to install the game. Just remember not to install the play disc on Xbox 360!

Cost to buy a PS3 and GTA V in 2013 – $360 | In 2026 that’s about: $515

Now, we approach the next chapter in the GTA saga. After more than a decade since GTA V, Rockstar is set to release GTA 6 this November, priced at $80. This launch coincides with a period when older consoles like the PS5 are more expensive than ever due to a global RAM shortage. The most affordable option in November, assuming prices remain stable, will likely be the Xbox Series S. While it may not be the best way to experience GTA 6, it will be the most budget-friendly. However, if you’re looking to play GTA 6 on a PS5 and don’t already own one, be ready to spend nearly $700 before taxes.

Cost to buy a PS5 digital-only console and GTA 6 in 2026 – $680