GTA 6 and Wolverine lift PS5 sales 22% before launch

PS5 sales rose 22% in units in September in the United States, according to a Bloomberg report built on Circana data and cited by IGN. The jump comes before the launch of GTA 6. Qué.es, a Spanish outlet relaying the analysis through Areajugones, adds that PS5 hardware revenue grew 43%.

That 43% is money, not consoles: more units sold, at a higher price. Per Qué.es, Piscatella notes that Sony had not posted such a high monthly revenue share in the US since May 2025.

Mostly Marvel's Wolverine, according to Piscatella. He told IGN it was the month's best-seller, ranks 11th year-to-date, and that its console bundle appears to have sold out. Its limited edition DualSense was also the market's best-selling accessory, even though IGN scored the game 6 out of 10.

GTA 6 plays a supporting role in Circana's reading. Piscatella thinks NBA 2K27 and Rockstar Games' title probably helped, but he does not put a number on it. Qué.es instead credits GTA 6 directly, a framing that differs from the analyst who holds the data.

Much worse. Per Qué.es, Xbox Series lost 27% of units in September and Switch 2 lost 14%, in a month when industry hardware fell 3%. Piscatella told IGN that Xbox Series did not get a similar boost.

In revenue, Xbox Series is down only 2% and Switch 2 is down 12%. Qué.es reads this as buyers who stay on Xbox choosing the expensive model. That is the outlet's interpretation, not a Circana figure.

Getting a PS5 may cost more and be harder before launch. IGN reports that a couple of weeks ago the PS5 Pro began selling out, with used units reaching 1,400 dollars, 500 dollars above shelf price. IGN says that price still holds at Amazon and GameStop.

Rockstar sets the launch for November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, so the choice of console is not about exclusivity. Anyone planning to play on console should check stock and price early. Editions are covered in GTA 6 release date, price and editions, and first steps in the GTA 6 beginner's guide.

It remains to be seen whether September was a peak. Qué.es says October's figures will show whether the pull continues, and frames that as a projection rather than a fact. Those figures are not yet known.

Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive have not commented on the Circana data. Take-Two reports quarterly results on November 9, another date to gauge the game's effect. For wider context, see what we know about GTA 6 and the Leonida map dossier.

How much have PS5 sales grown because of GTA 6?

22% in units in September in the United States, per Bloomberg with Circana data, and 43% in revenue, per Qué.es. Piscatella credits mainly Marvel's Wolverine.

Have Xbox Series and Switch 2 sales fallen?

Yes. Per Qué.es, Xbox Series lost 27% of units and Switch 2 lost 14% in September.

When does GTA 6 come out?

On November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Rockstar.