Have the PS5 and Xbox Console Shortages Been Exaggerated Ahead of the GTA 6 Launch? - IGN

Most models are in stock at MSRP right now.

With both Black Friday and the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 around the corner, console shortages have been in the news lately.

Xbox head Asha Sharma recently said there’s more demand than Xbox consoles available, and Microsoft told Xbox owners to trade in their dusty consoles. Meanwhile, over on the other side of the aisle, Sony wants to buy your PS5 for $400, and anyone in the market for a PS5 Pro may have to shell out as much as $1,400 to a reseller to get one.

Console stock must be getting pretty dire, right? To answer that question, I visited all the major online retailers to see what the status is surrounding console availability. And what I found was, with the exception of the PS5 Pro, every current model of every current console is widely available at manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP).

Featured in this article

PS5 with Disc Drive (1TB - Slim)

PS5 Digital Edition (825GB - Slim)

Xbox Series X (1TB with Disc Drive)

Xbox Series X (1TB All-Digital Edition - Robot White)

Now, that doesn't mean that's how things will stay as GTA 6 and Black Friday creep nearer. And it's worth noting that those MSRPs have gone up in recent years. But at least at this pre-Black Friday, pre-GTA 6 moment in time, it’s not hard to find a new game console at retail price – unless you want a PS5 Pro. Let’s take a look at where things stand with every current model of every game console.

- Current MSRP: $899.99

- See at Amazon - (Sold out)

- See at Best Buy - (Sold out)

- See it at Target - (Sold out)

- See it at GameStop - (Sold out)

- See it at PS Direct - (Sold out)

To kick things off, yes, new PlayStation 5 Pro consoles are sold out everywhere. You can still get a used one at eBay or marked up by third-party retailers at some of the links above, but they cost around $1,500, so buy at your own risk. Moving on…

- Current MSRP: $649.99

- Get it at Best Buy - $649.99

- Get it at Target - $649.99

- Get it at Walmart - $649.00

- Get at GameStop - $649.99

- Get it at PS Direct - $649.00

- Get it at Amazon - (Sold out)

Even though Sony is doing away with discs starting in January 2028, the PlayStation company will still happily sell you a PS5 with a disc drive. This model of the PS5 is widely available (except at Amazon), so pick one up at your favorite retailer. It's unlikely these consoles will get discounts during PlayStation's Black Friday sale this year.

- Current MSRP: $599.99

- Get it at Best Buy - $599.99

- Get it at Target - $599.99

- Get it at Walmart - $599.00

- Get it at PS Direct - $599.00

- Get it at GameStop - (Used only)

As you may have heard (in the previous blurb), Sony is doing away with discs starting in January 2028. If you’re ready to embrace that digital-only life, feel free to grab this one. At $599.99, it’s pretty much a steal in this (horrible) economy. However, it's worth noting that Amazon and GameStop are currently sold out of new stock of this model, while other retailers have it in stock.

Xbox Series X (with Disc Drive)

- Current MSRP: $799.99

- Get it at Amazon - $798.00

- Get it at Best Buy - $799.99

- Get it at Walmart - $798.00

- Get it at GameStop - $799.99

- See it at Xbox - (SOLD OUT)

The standard Xbox Series X with a disc drive is available at most retailers. It's worth noting that both Target and Microsoft are currently sold out, which could be what Sharma was referring to in her comments about supply not being able to keep up with demand.

Xbox Series X (All-Digital Edition)

- Current MSRP: $749.99

- Get it at Amazon - $748.00

- Get it at Best Buy - $749.99

- Get it at GameStop - $749.99

- Get it at Target - $749.99

- Get it at Walmart - $748.00

We’ve seen a lot of evidence over the years suggesting Xbox console sales are lagging badly behind PS5. The most recent hint that this is the case came from Capcom, which says only 8.6% of Resident Evil Requiem sales were on Xbox. But if you’re willing to throw in with Microsoft anyway, you can get an Xbox Series X at MSRP at most of the usual retailers, with the exception of Xbox directly.

- Current MSRP: $499.99

- Get it at Amazon - $493.32

- Get it at Walmart - $493.32

- Get it at Best Buy - $499.99

- Get it at GameStop - $499.99

- Get it at Target - $499.99

- Get it at Xbox - $499.99

The slightly less powerful Xbox Series S is available in two models that are identical in all ways except the amount of storage that comes in them.

- Get it at Amazon - $598.00