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GTA 6 vs GTA 5: The Biggest Differences Compared

By the Respawndex editorial team. Updated November 13, 2026 in GTA 6

Checked against official sources on November 13, 2026. How we check facts

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  1. GTA 6 vs GTA 5 at a glance
  2. Setting: San Andreas to Leonida
  3. Characters: three leads to two
  4. Platforms over time
  5. Online at launch
  6. Sales and demand

Grand Theft Auto VI arrives more than 13 years after GTA V, and the differences start with the basics: a new state, two playable leads instead of three, and a launch on current consoles only. Here is how the two games compare using confirmed facts.

GTA 6 vs GTA 5 at a glance

GTA 5GTA 6
Release dateSeptember 17, 2013November 19, 2026
Launch platformsPS3 and Xbox 360PS5 (including PS5 Pro) and Xbox Series X and Series S
SettingLos Santos and San Andreas, a reimagined Southern CaliforniaThe state of Leonida, home to Vice City
Playable leadsThree: Michael, Franklin and TrevorTwo: Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos
PC versionReleased April 14, 2015Not announced
Other ways to playRe-released on later console generationsXbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S through Xbox Cloud Gaming

Setting: San Andreas to Leonida

GTA V is set in Los Santos and its surroundings in the fictional state of San Andreas, a reimagined present-day Southern California. GTA 6 moves the series to the state of Leonida and Vice City. See our GTA 6 map guide for every region Rockstar has shown.

Characters: three leads to two

GTA V lets you switch between three playable leads: Michael, a retired criminal; Franklin, a young driver and repo man; and Trevor, Michael's volatile former partner. GTA 6 has two leads, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Meet them in our GTA 6 characters guide.

Platforms over time

GTA V has been released across three console generations and PC:

  • PS3 and Xbox 360: September 17, 2013
  • PS4 and Xbox One: November 18, 2014
  • PC: April 14, 2015
  • PS5 and Xbox Series X|S: March 15, 2022
  • A free GTA V Enhanced upgrade on PC: March 4, 2025

GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, with no PC version announced. Xbox One owners can stream it through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Our GTA 6 PC status page explains where things stand.

Online at launch

Rockstar calls GTA 6 a single-player experience at launch, and no online mode has been announced. GameSpot reported that Take-Two expects to keep supporting the current GTA Online after GTA 6 releases.

Sales and demand

Push Square reported that Take-Two put GTA V at nearly 235 million units worldwide on its November 9, 2026 earnings call, up about 5 million from the prior quarter. GTA 6 has no sales figures yet, but PlayStation calls it the most pre-ordered game in PlayStation Store history and Microsoft calls it the most pre-ordered title ever on the Microsoft Store.

For more on the older game, visit our Grand Theft Auto V page.

FAQ

Is GTA 6 on the same platforms as GTA 5?

Not yet. GTA V is on consoles from PS3 and Xbox 360 up to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, plus PC. GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, with no PC version announced.

How many years apart are GTA 5 and GTA 6?

GTA V launched on September 17, 2013 and GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026, a gap of a little over 13 years.

Does GTA 6 have three main characters like GTA 5?

No. GTA 6 has two playable leads, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. GTA V had three: Michael, Franklin and Trevor.

How many copies has GTA 5 sold?

Push Square reported that Take-Two put GTA V at nearly 235 million units worldwide on its November 9, 2026 earnings call.

Sources

  1. GTA V, Five Years Later, Kotaku
  2. Grand Theft Auto V, GameSpot
  3. Grand Theft Auto V Release Dates and Exclusive Content Details for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, Rockstar Games Newswire
  4. GTA 5 PC Release Date Delayed Again, GameSpot
  5. Grand Theft Auto 5 dated for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S with new details, VGC
  6. Free Upgrade for Grand Theft Auto V on PC Coming March 4, Rockstar Games Newswire
  7. GTA V: Los Santos confirmed. Multiplayer confirmed. But don't expect San Fierro or Las Venturas, GamesRadar+
  8. Grand Theft Auto V Review, GameSpot
  9. Rockstar explains male-only protagonist roster for Grand Theft Auto V, GameSpot
  10. GTA 6 Pre-Orders Outperform Even Take-Two's Expectations, GTA 5 Just Keeps on Selling, Push Square
  11. Grand Theft Auto VI is Now Set to Launch November 19, 2026, Rockstar Games Newswire
  12. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal Second Quarter 2027 (Form 8-K exhibit), Take-Two Interactive (SEC filing)
  13. Grand Theft Auto VI Pre-Load Begins on November 10, Rockstar Games Newswire
  14. Grand Theft Auto VI Comes to XBOX One and XBOX Series X|S Through XBOX Cloud Gaming on November 19, Xbox Wire
  15. Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar Games
  16. Grand Theft Auto VI: Watch Trailer 1 Now, Rockstar Games Newswire
  17. Only in Leonida: Lucia Caminos, Rockstar Games
  18. GTA 6 Characters, Locations & Screenshots Revealed In Massive Info Blowout, Pure Xbox
  19. Pre-Order Grand Theft Auto VI on June 25, Rockstar Games Newswire
  20. GTA 6 Is a 'Single Player Experience', No Word on GTA Online at Launch, Push Square
  21. Pre-load Grand Theft Auto VI on PS5 starting today, PlayStation Blog
  22. Take-Two Reaffirms Its Support For GTA Online To Continue After GTA 6 Releases, GameSpot
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