Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and it comes in two editions: Standard at $79.99 and Ultimate at $99.99. The extra $20 buys a pack of in-game extras, not a different game. The more useful detail is buried in Rockstar’s support pages: the Ultimate content is also sold separately as an upgrade, and on the Xbox Store it costs exactly the $20 gap. That changes the decision for most people.
Prices below are US list prices from Rockstar and Take-Two, with Canadian prices from the Xbox Store, checked October 8, 2026.
Quick comparison
| Standard Edition | Ultimate Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $79.99 | $99.99 |
| Canadian price (Xbox Store) | CA$109.99 | CA$139.99 |
| The main game and story | Yes | Yes |
| Vintage Vice City Pack (buy before Nov 20) | Yes | Yes |
| One month of GTA+ (digital pre-orders) | Yes | Yes |
| Ultimate vehicles, weapons, outfits, shops and activities | No (sold separately as an upgrade) | Yes |
| Boxed retail version | Yes (a download code in the box, no disc) | No, digital only |
| Pre-load from November 12 | Yes | Yes |
What’s in the Standard Edition?
The Standard Edition includes the base game and the main story across Leonida. What it lacks are the Ultimate extras: some vehicles, weapons, styles, five shops and a couple of side activities. Anyone who pre-orders or buys it before November 20 also gets the Vintage Vice City Pack.
Rockstar’s support page describes it simply: the Standard Edition includes the game. Rockstar’s descriptions of the Ultimate Edition list extras and side content, not a separate part of the main campaign.
The Vintage Vice City Pack is the pre-order and early-purchase bonus for both editions. Per Rockstar, it includes a ’55 Vapid Stanier sedan with a garage, outfits and hairstyles, and an exclusive weapon pattern. It applies to purchases made before November 20, 2026, so buying on launch day (November 19) still counts, but the day after does not.
What does the Ultimate Edition add?
The Ultimate Edition is the Standard Edition plus the Ultimate Edition Upgrade: extra vehicles, weapons, clothing, shops and a couple of side activities, spread through Jason and Lucia’s story.
Based on the upgrade’s listing on the Xbox Store and Rockstar’s announcement, the extras include:
- Vehicles: a ’95 Grotti Cheetah, the Ganado Retro Build (exclusive modifications for Jason’s Vapid Ganado pickup), a Shitzu Squalo watercraft, a ’67 Vapid Dominator buggy with a garage, and Jason’s safehouse motorcycle and kayak.
- Weapons: the Hawk & Little Morgan revolvers (one for each protagonist) and engraved versions of Jason’s and Lucia’s pistols.
- Style: Vice City themed outfits, hairstyles and tattoos for both characters, plus Goodtime Gear apparel.
- Activities: a raid on a gang compound in Southside Vice City and a classic car collection commission from a fixer named Wyman.
- Shops that only open with the Ultimate Edition: Rideout Customs, Sara’s Unisex Salon, Stock 305, Electric Fang Tattoo and One-Eyed Willie’s.
That last point is what has made the Ultimate Edition controversial. The store listings describe those five as destinations “only open for business with the Ultimate Edition.” Rockstar says the Ultimate content is threaded across Jason and Lucia’s story, with items unlocking as you progress through the chapters rather than all at once on day one.
Can you upgrade from Standard to Ultimate later?
Yes. Rockstar sells the Ultimate Edition Upgrade separately for $20 (CA$30 on the Xbox Store), which is exactly the price gap between the two editions. At current Xbox list prices, buying Standard now and upgrading later costs the same as buying Ultimate.
Rockstar’s support page confirms that Standard owners can buy the upgrade as a digital add-on through the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store at any point. If you buy the boxed version, you can upgrade once you’ve redeemed the code in the box.
That means you don’t have to decide now. Start with Standard, play for a few days, and if you find yourself wanting the Cheetah or wishing that tattoo parlor were open, upgrade then. You might decide you don’t care. Prices and promotions can change, so check the upgrade price when you’re ready to buy.
The upgrade is listed on the Xbox Store at $20. The PlayStation Store has a listing for it too, but it wasn’t purchasable yet when we checked on October 8, so its PlayStation price wasn’t shown.
Is the Ultimate Edition available in a box?
No. Rockstar’s support page states that a physical version of the Ultimate Edition is not available. Only the Standard Edition comes boxed, and that box holds a download code, not a disc.
Rockstar confirmed in June that the boxed version contains a download code inside the case rather than a disc. Rockstar expects boxed copies to be available for shipping and pickup from November 12. You can pre-load once you’ve received and redeemed the code, so ordering a box doesn’t guarantee you’ll have it installed at midnight on the 12th.
That makes the choice simple if you prefer buying from a store (to use a gift card, a retailer credit or a store discount): buy the boxed Standard Edition, then add the upgrade digitally later if you want it.
There have been reports since June of a disc release coming later. Rockstar hasn’t announced one, so don’t hold off buying on the strength of those reports.
GTA+ and the pre-order bonus: read this before you redeem
Digital pre-orders on either edition come with one month of GTA+, Rockstar’s paid membership. It renews automatically once activated, so note the date you redeem it.
Rockstar’s support page lists one month of GTA+ Membership with digital pre-orders made before November 20, 2026. The Xbox Store and PlayStation Store both advertise it, so it isn’t limited to one console. It can be claimed once per account, however many editions or upgrades you buy.
Two things to know:
- It auto-renews. After the free month, GTA+ continues as a paid monthly membership ($7.99 a month in the US at the time of writing) unless you cancel it in your console’s subscription settings before the renewal date.
- There’s a deadline to claim it. On Xbox, the month must be redeemed within 180 days of placing your pre-order (not 180 days from launch). On PlayStation, Sony’s offer terms set a deadline of March 31, 2027.
The boxed Standard Edition includes the Vintage Vice City Pack, but Rockstar lists the GTA+ month only for digital pre-orders.
Which edition should you buy?
For most players, the Standard Edition. You get the main game and story, and the upgrade path means you can still add every Ultimate extra later, for the same total at current Xbox prices.
Buy the Standard Edition if:
- You mainly want the story and the open world. The main campaign is all there.
- You want a boxed copy from a store. It’s the only edition sold that way.
- You aren’t sure. The upgrade is sold separately, so you can add it later if you change your mind.
Buy the Ultimate Edition up front if:
- You already know you want everything, and you’re buying digitally anyway.
- You want each Ultimate extra to unlock as you reach it in the story, without having to buy anything partway through.
Who this isn’t for: PC players. GTA 6 is launching on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, and Rockstar hasn’t announced a PC version. If you’re deciding which platform to play on, our PC vs console comparison covers the tradeoffs and current console prices.
Where to buy
The boxed Standard Edition is sold at major retailers, including Amazon:
The Ultimate Edition and the upgrade are sold digitally through the PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store.
One thing to check if you buy a code anywhere other than your console’s own store: per Rockstar Support, GTA VI codes for PlayStation are tied to your account’s region (a North American code works on US and Canadian accounts), while GTA VI codes for Xbox are not region-locked. Rockstar still recommends buying from a retailer in the same country as your console account. Our guide to where to buy game keys safely explains how to avoid codes that get revoked. For ways to pay less, see how to find the best deals on open-world games.
While you wait for November 19
Pre-loading starts at local midnight on November 12, so you can have the game installed before launch. Until then, our list of the best games to play while waiting for GTA 6 has open-world picks for every budget. If you’re spending the wait in GTA Online, our complete guide to making money fast and our heists ranked by payout will help you get the most out of your playtime.
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