As demand surges ahead of the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch, gamers are facing steep premiums for Sony’s latest hardware. The PlayStation 5 Pro, which retails at an adjusted manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $899.99, is being listed by GameStop for $1,399.99—a markup of roughly $500 above the official price.
The scarcity is driven by a global shortage of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a component critical for both AI data centers and consumer gaming consoles. With the artificial intelligence boom consuming high-bandwidth memory, production for devices like the PS5 Pro has lagged. An August 2026 JP Morgan report projected that DRAM prices would rise by 400 percent worldwide since the console’s 2024 debut, a trend expected to continue well beyond the current year.
Sony is attempting to curb the chaos, particularly in Japan where it introduced a lottery system tied to gameplay time requirements. However, internal memos cited by German publication Playfront indicate that supply constraints will persist through at least early 2027. Some industry forecasts suggest the memory crisis could extend into the 2030s.
GameStop is not operating in a vacuum. Best Buy is currently listing the console for over $1,500, while Walmart offers an open-box unit for $1,200. Resale platforms like eBay see similar pricing, with listings regularly exceeding $1,100. This comes despite GameStop’s earlier attempt to acquire its competitor eBay for $56 billion, a move that was rejected earlier this year.
The broader impact on consumer technology is significant. According to a September 2026 report by The Economist, the consumer price index for computer software and accessories jumped 31 percent. Standard PS5 prices have also risen by approximately $150, or 30 percent. Consequently, video game hardware sales have hit a 13-year low.
Despite the hype, experts question whether the premium is warranted. The PS5 Pro features a 2 TB SSD, an enhanced GPU, ray tracing, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), an AI-driven upscaler now set as the default mode. However, PSSR is primarily effective in games labeled “PS5 Pro Enhanced,” of which there are very few at launch.
Sony is working to narrow the performance gap between the standard and Pro models. In an October 2026 blog post, the company announced that Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR) would be coming to the standard PS5, providing image and stability improvements, albeit without the “gold standard” performance of PSSR.
While the PS5 Pro offers tangible graphical advantages, the cost-benefit analysis shifts dramatically at inflated resale prices. Given that the console is selling for nearly double its original 2024 asking price, analysts and reviewers agree that paying such a premium is likely not a prudent purchase.
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