Why used PS5 Pro console prices are skyrocketing by $500 at GameStop despite being years old
The gaming world has exploded since the pandemic had us holed up at home, but even years after we escaped lockdown, the market means big business as we funnel billions of dollars into the industry.
2026 is a bumper year for video games, with major releases including Marvel's Wolverine, Gears of War: E-Day, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
While Sony faced something of a baptism of fire with Marvel's Wolverine, as the usually vocal critics called it 'woke', the recent Ghost of Yōtei: Complete Edition also has PlayStation fans parting with their money.
It's been a rough year for the Blue Team in general, as Sony is still reeling from the backlash against its decision to stop producing physical discs in January 2028.
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There have been petitions, blackouts, and even lawsuits, but whether the gaming giant's bottom line has actually been affected remains to be seen.
Suggesting that some are a little quicker to forget, there's been an apparent boom in PS5 Pro sales as near the end of 2026.
Why are PS5 Pro consoles soaring in price?
As reported by Kotaku, gamers are clamoring to get their hands on a PS5 Pro, with GameStop apparently making the most of this situation. A pre-owned PS5 Pro has been listed at $1,399.99, which is some $500 above the official PlayStation Store's $899.99 MSRP.
It comes after an (unverified) internal message reportedly from GameStop was shared on Reddit, seemingly alerting employees to PlayStation price rises and stating that the PS5 Pro costing so much more than it should be in the shops is 'intentional’.
This same internal memo suggests that PS5 Pro prices could reach $1,500, which would put it a full $600 ahead of what Sony is charging.
The big problem here is that getting a PS5 Pro for $900 is like owning a unicorn. At the time of writing, GameStop's own listing for a brand-new PS5 Pro at $900 says it’s out of stock. Don't worry, as you can nab a refurbished one for $1,329.99.
But what's going on? It appears that Grand Theft Auto VI is once again to blame. Tipped to be the biggest video game of all time, GTA VI has a PS5 Pro Enhanced label on the PlayStation Store, and Sony has done a big marketing push about the PS5 Pro being the definitive way to play the automotive adventure ahead of its November 19 release.
Gamers react to PS5 Pro 'scalping'
Although there was initial backlash about the PS5 Pro launching for $699.99 in November 2024, some gamers are likely kicking themselves that they didn't get one back then.
We've previously covered how everything from trade tariffs to RAM shortages has pushed console prices through the roof, and as GTA VI looms, people are more desperate than ever to bag themselves a premium way to play.
It's not just GameStop accused of 'scalping' PS5 Pros, as Kotaku points to Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon also listing PS5 Pro consoles for $14,000 or more. These appear to be sold through third-party resellers and partners rather than these shopping giants, but either way, it's clear someone is making a tidy profit here.
In a post calling out GameStop, there was plenty of outrage.
One disgruntled gamer complained: "So GameStop is scalping now. I’m sorry for those who for some reason or another still work there, but I hope GameStop craters and goes out of business asap."
Another added: "First Pokemon cards, now consoles…I can understand the games as games increase in value because the ending of production, but current gen consoles?"
A third was a little smug as they concluded: "Everyone I knew was on my ass for getting a pro at launch after trading in my launch ps5. Paid $400 with the disk drive."
For those who were looking to bag a potential Black Friday deal and hoped they'd be playing GTA VI on a shiny, new PS5 Pro this festive season, it looks like Christmas could be canceled.