PS5 Pro Vanishes from Shelves as Scalpers Demand Up to $1,500
Back in 2020, COVID made the PS5 a unicorn. Now in 2026, it’s AI starving the factories of memory chips. The result? The PS5 Pro is selling for a premium—right when everyone wants one for GTA 6.
In Germany, PlayStation Direct simply says “currently unavailable,” Amazon estimates delivery in 3 to 7 months, and third-party sellers aren’t shy about charging well over €1,300 (about $1,500) for a console. With less than three months to go before GTA 6 launches—console exclusive, no less—demand is exploding while production is throttled by a global memory shortage. It’s a symptom of a much bigger problem, as the RAM crisis is already hitting Sony’s future projects.
Image credit: Sony
Stockouts hit Germany hard
Across the Rhine, the situation is crystal clear. On PlayStation Direct, Sony’s official store, the PS5 Pro is bluntly marked “currently unavailable.” Amazon isn’t much better: the PS5 Pro is listed, but with an estimated delivery window of 3 to 7 months. In other words, don’t count on getting one for the GTA 6 launch in November.
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Third-party sellers, meanwhile, smell opportunity. On Idealo, prices start around €999 (about $1,165)—a full €100 (about $115) above the official €899.99 price (about $1,050), which was already bumped up from €799.99 (about $935) at launch in November 2024. At Media Markt and Saturn, the console is usually marked “sold out,” unless you go through third-party vendors who aren’t shy about inflating the bill:
- PS5 Pro from third-party sellers: starting at €999 (about $1,165)
- PS5 Pro via Media Markt/Saturn (third-party): €1,299.99 (about $1,515)
- PS5 Pro bundle with EA Sports FC 27: €1,379.99 (about $1,610)
That’s up to a 50% markup over the official price. For now, the madness is centered in Germany, but warning signs are flashing across other European markets too.
RAM crisis meets the GTA 6 hype train
Two forces are colliding to create this perfect storm. On one side, the global memory crunch, fueled by AI’s insatiable appetite. Data centers are gobbling up massive amounts of RAM and storage, leaving supply chains bone dry for everyone else—including game consoles. Sony claims it secured memory stockpiles for the current fiscal year, but today’s shortages suggest those reserves aren’t enough to meet demand.
On the other side, GTA 6 is pouring gasoline on the fire. Rockstar’s blockbuster drops November 19, 2026—console exclusive, no PC at launch. With its beefed-up graphics, next-gen ray tracing, and AI-powered PSSR upscaling, the PS5 Pro is the go-to platform for the ultimate experience. Thousands of gamers want to gear up before launch day, but production just can’t keep up.
Should you buy now or wait it out?
It’s tempting to hold out for a price drop, but honestly, that’s wishful thinking in the short term. The closer we get to November 19 and the GTA 6 launch, the tighter the squeeze on stock will get. Resellers know this, and they have zero incentive to cut prices during a shortage. Hoping for a return to the official €899.99 price (about $1,050) before launch? That’s pure fantasy.
This is déjà vu for anyone who remembers the PS5 drought of 2020–2021, when COVID-19 brought production to a standstill. The culprit’s changed—AI instead of a virus—but the outcome for gamers is the same: consoles are nowhere to be found, and scalpers are making a killing. If you want a PS5 Pro before GTA 6, your best bet is to check local brick-and-mortar stores—there might still be a few units gathering dust at MSRP.
If the memory crisis drags on past 2026, the entire next console generation could be in trouble. Sony’s already voiced concerns about component costs for the PS6, and the tech industry’s growing dependence on the same memory chips isn’t going anywhere. Today’s PS5 Pro shortage might just be a taste of what’s coming for console gamers in the years ahead.
