GTA 6 arrives Nov. 19 on PS5 and Xbox for $79.99 or $99.99. Preload starts Nov. 12. Here is what each edition includes and what Rockstar has not confirmed.
As of Nov. 2, 2026, Grand Theft Auto VI is set to launch Thursday, Nov. 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Rockstar Games' official game page. The standard edition lists at $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $99.99, and neither comes on a disc. Here is the U.S. date, price and shopping checklist in one place, with a clear line between what Rockstar has confirmed and what has only been reported.
When does GTA 6 come out in the U.S., and when can you preload?
GTA 6 launches Nov. 19, 2026, and Rockstar's page lists only PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Digital buyers can preload starting Nov. 12, a week early, so the game is ready the moment it unlocks. Rockstar's support page says boxed copies, which hold a download code rather than a disc, go on sale Nov. 12 to support that preload.
That detail trips people up. A copy bought at a store on Nov. 12 does not let you play early. GameSpot reports that the game does not fully unlock until Nov. 19 either way. We did not find a Rockstar announcement of an exact launch hour, so check the Rockstar and PlayStation or Xbox store pages that week rather than planning around a midnight start.
There is no PC or Switch 2 version announced. GameSpot cites reports of a PC release in early 2027, which Rockstar has not confirmed.
How much does GTA 6 cost, and which edition should you buy?
The standard edition costs $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition costs $99.99, according to GameSpot and Mashable, both of which cite Rockstar's own pre-order announcement. For comparison, GameSpot notes that Grand Theft Auto V launched at $60 in 2013, which works out to roughly $85 in today's money.
The standard edition is the only one sold in a box. The Ultimate Edition is digital only, sold through the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Rockstar Games Store, per Mashable. Rockstar's support page lists 16 extras in the Ultimate package, including a '95 Grotti Cheetah, a Shitzu Squalo boat, a '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy with a garage, two mod shops, a clothing store, a salon, a tattoo parlor and a raid mission at the PTT Youngin$ compound. Rockstar says the bonuses are threaded across Jason and Lucia's story, with new items uncovered behind each chapter. GameSpot adds that the in-game shops tied to the Ultimate Edition are not accessible to standard owners.
Both editions share one bonus. Rockstar says digital pre-orders and purchases of either edition before Nov. 20 include the Vintage Vice City Pack: a '55 Vapid Stanier sedan with a garage, outfits and hairstyles, a weapon pattern and one month of GTA+ membership. The support page ties the GTA+ month to the digital versions.
Our take: if you are on the fence, buy the standard edition. Rockstar says standard owners can buy an Ultimate Edition Upgrade from the PlayStation or Microsoft store later, after the code is redeemed, and the list-price gap between the two editions is $20. Nothing Rockstar has published says the Ultimate extras are required to finish the story, so there is no penalty for waiting to see how they actually show up in the game.
What do you need to play GTA 6, and how much space?
You need a PS5 or an Xbox Series X|S, a screen, an internet connection and a lot of free storage. GameSpot's buying guide, published Nov. 2, puts new console prices at $500 for an Xbox Series S, $750 for a disc-less Xbox Series X, $800 with a drive, $600 for a digital PS5 and $900 for a PS5 Pro with a drive. It also lists certified refurbished units from Sony at $500 for a PS5 and from Microsoft at $400 for a Series S. Prices move, so confirm with the retailer before you buy.
Storage is where the sources disagree. Our earlier report, based on a PlayStation Store tracker and coverage from Polygon and GamesRadar+, put the PS5 install at 210 GB. GameSpot's guide cites a figure of 201 GB. Rockstar has published neither number. Until it does, treat both as estimates and plan for about 250 GB free so a day-one patch does not stall the download. Our install size report has the full breakdown.
On subscriptions, Rockstar told IGN the game is a single-player experience, per Mashable, and GameSpot does not expect PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass to be required at launch. Rockstar has not said so itself, and a multiplayer mode has not been announced.
What is confirmed and what is not?
Confirmed by Rockstar:
- Launch date of Nov. 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Standard and Ultimate editions, with the Ultimate Edition sold digitally.
- Preloading from Nov. 12, with boxed download codes on sale the same day and no disc in the box.
- The Vintage Vice City Pack for pre-orders and purchases before Nov. 20.
Reported but not confirmed by Rockstar:
- The install size, 201 GB or 210 GB depending on the source.
- A PC release in early 2027.
- Any multiplayer mode, and whether it will need a paid subscription.
Here is the short version for a U.S. shopper. Decide on your edition by the weekend before Nov. 12, clear room for the download, and pre-order digitally if you want the GTA+ month. If you would rather pay a retailer's price for the box, remember it is only a code, and you still cannot play before Nov. 19.
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Picture credit: Rockstar Games
