Rockstar Says GTA 6 'Plays Best on PS5' While Xbox Gets Saddled with Worse Experience

Rockstar Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment claim that GTA VI “plays best on PS5”, making the Xbox Series X/S feel like a mere bystander.

Rockstar Games recently announced when you’ll be able to pre-order GTA VI, and earlier today, 24 June, the information dropped regarding exactly what time you can pre-order the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series.

As we’ve seen with the launch of GTA V in 2013, and later with the new-gen versions on PS4 and PS5, Rockstar Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment have collaborated to market the next GTA, claiming that the best way to play it is on a PlayStation machine. Well, by the looks of things, it seems that GTA VI will be no exception.

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GTA VI “Plays Best” on Playstation 5

“Grand Theft Auto VI plays best on PS5 on November 19,” reads the post on the PlayStation Blog. It’s a bold statement, but technically, it’s not wrong.

No doubt when it comes to the core gameplay experience, everyone will be playing the same version of GTA VI, whether that’s on PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro or Xbox Series X/S. Albeit with some differences in resolution and performance, depending on your console. But again, at its core, it’s still the same GTA VI.

Why is GTA VI best on PS5?

According to the aforementioned PlayStation Blog post, it all comes down to the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller, as well as the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech.

“The controller’s haptic feedback offers responsive vibrations, while its adaptive triggers provide dynamic resistance,” the post reads. “The controller’s integrated speaker also adds another dimension to key moments and interactions, with sound effects from the controller enhanced by haptic feedback.”

Lucia in GTA VI, Rockstar Games

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As for the Tempest 3D AudioTech, it says: “From the streets of Vice City to the moments that unfold all across the state, this highly accurate audio positioning enhances your perception, helping to bring this world to life around you in unmatched ways.”

The PlayStation Blog post also mentions the “ultra-high speed SSD” providing “near-instant load times”. Truth be told, as a base PS5 and Xbox Series X owner, the difference in loading times is quite minimal, and I’d be shocked if GTA VI on PS5 in that respect is all that drastic, but I could be wrong.

The Internet Reacts To The “Plays Best on PS5” Claims

“They only mention the Tempest 3D AudioTech and DualSense. That’s it? Series X for me,” said Casey_Payne23, replying to a tweet from Geoff Keighley.

"Plays best on PlayStation 5... because controller goes brrrrrrrrr,” responded Carnivol.

“Rockstar doing Xbox like,” said BKLYNJT, sharing an image of an assassination in the TV show The Sopranos.

“It will actually play best on PC, when they finally decide to move it to the superior platform,” added Mlaningham.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter where or how we play GTA VI; all that matters is that we’re having fun on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, as well as when it eventually comes to PC.

Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on 19 November 2026.

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