Like millions of other Grand Theft Auto fans, we have waited years to see Grand Theft Auto VI in action. Rockstar Games finally gave us an extended look at the game during a nearly 27-minute presentation that debuted on Netflix before heading to YouTube and Rockstar’s website. We got to see Vice City, missions, combat, driving, side activities, and plenty more, and it all looked fantastic.
However, the presentation also left us with one pretty important question: Which console will be the best place to play Grand Theft Auto VI? The honest answer is that we simply do not know. Anyone telling you otherwise is guessing because Rockstar has not shown direct comparisons or explained how the game will differ across the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
Grand Theft Auto VI Is Currently Running at 30 FPS
Rockstar confirmed that the entire presentation was captured on a base PlayStation 5, and again, the game looked fantastic. However, Rockstar North Head of Development and Co-Studio Head Rob Nelson reportedly revealed that the console versions are currently running at 30 frames per second. He could not confirm whether a 60 FPS mode would be available at launch or added later, as he would need to speak with the technical team before providing details about performance, resolution, or ray tracing.
That does not confirm that Grand Theft Auto VI will only run at 30 FPS when it launches, but nobody should expect a 60 FPS mode until Rockstar announces one. In other words, none of the consoles currently on the market are guaranteed to give us a consistent or locked 60 FPS experience.
PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
On paper, the Xbox Series X has more raw graphical power than the base PlayStation 5. Microsoft’s console has a 12-teraflop GPU, compared to approximately 10.3 teraflops for the PS5. That gives the Series X an advantage in raw numbers, but as we have seen repeatedly during this console generation, those numbers do not automatically decide which version of a game performs better.
Optimization, resolution targets, ray tracing, and image reconstruction can all affect the final result. The base PS5 is also the only console on which Rockstar has publicly shown Grand Theft Auto VI, so we have no idea how the Xbox Series X version compares. Sony’s marketing deal with Rockstar also means the official website displays a “Plays Best on PlayStation 5” message, but marketing is not the same thing as an actual performance comparison.
What About the PS5 Pro?
The PS5 Pro should theoretically deliver the best-looking console version of Grand Theft Auto VI. Its stronger GPU and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution could allow Rockstar to offer a higher resolution, improved ray tracing, cleaner image quality, or a more stable 30 FPS. We could even see a 40 FPS option for people with compatible 120Hz displays, but Rockstar has not announced anything yet.
Here is the problem. The PS5 Pro does not have a substantially newer CPU, and if Grand Theft Auto VI is being limited by its physics, traffic, NPC behavior, or all the other systems running behind the scenes, throwing more GPU power at it will not automatically double the frame rate. Buying a PS5 Pro specifically because you expect the game to run at 60 FPS would be one very expensive gamble.
The Xbox Series S Is the Biggest Question Mark
Then we have the Xbox Series S, the least powerful console receiving Grand Theft Auto VI. It has a weaker GPU, less memory, and lower memory bandwidth than the Series X, but Rockstar has not shown us this version or explained what compromises it will require. We should expect a lower resolution and reduced graphical settings, but until we see it running, we do not know how significant those differences will be.
Honestly, the fact that Rockstar is bringing a game this ambitious to the Series S is impressive. I am not saying that version will be bad, but if you are considering buying a Series S specifically for Grand Theft Auto VI, I would wait until we see how it actually performs.
Could the Series S become a concern for Grand Theft Auto VI? Absolutely, especially when we are talking about a game this ambitious running on hardware with less memory and graphical power. That does not mean it will hold back the other versions, but it does make the Series S version the biggest question mark. Rockstar has already announced the game for the console, so the studio has clearly been planning around the hardware, but we will not know what compromises were required until Rockstar shows us the game on the console.
So, Which Console Should You Buy?
If you already own a PS5 or Xbox Series X, there is currently no reason to run out and switch platforms. The PS5 version already looks fantastic, the Xbox Series X is stronger than the base PS5 in some areas, and the PS5 Pro has the most graphical headroom. None of that tells us which version will maintain its frame rate, deliver the highest resolution, or provide the best overall experience.
The PS5 Pro is the safest bet for the best-looking version, but even that is still a bet. Until Rockstar provides direct comparisons or the final versions are independently tested, nobody can honestly tell you which console will be the best place to play Grand Theft Auto VI.
Personally, if you take anything away from this, it should be that the best console is the one you can afford. In this hellish landscape, where five- and six-year-old consoles now cost more than they did when they were first released, that really is all that should matter. You shouldn’t have over-extend your bank account trying to purchase a console, even if it’s for the best game in the universe.
Grand Theft Auto VI releases on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
