[OPINION] I Bought a PS5 Pro for GTA 6 and Rockstar Has Shattered My 60 FPS Dreams

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you must have seen the latest reports about the PS5 Pro quickly selling out across multiple regions shortly after the GTA 6 Extended Look dropped on Netflix. I can already see some third-party listings for the PS5 Pro priced as high as $ 1,400. Luckily, I knew this would happen, which is why I imported a PS5 Pro for myself, even though the Pro console wasn’t officially available in my country.

Now, if you are wondering why I went to such extreme lengths to get a PS5 Pro, the simple answer is that I want to experience GTA 6 in the best way possible on day one. And I don’t just mean better graphics than the base PS5, but also a smoother 60 FPS experience.

I thought PS5 Pro, being the most powerful current-gen console, was the only machine capable of delivering the experience I seek. Even though I was smart enough to get a PS5 Pro early specifically for GTA 6, seeing Rockstar Games opt for a 30 FPS experience on all consoles and omitting a 60 FPS mode for the PS5 Pro just hurts my soul.

30 FPS in Big 2026?

Historically, Rockstar Games has launched games like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 with only a 30 FPS mode. Back then, 30 FPS didn’t matter at all to a 13-year-old and 18-year-old me. However, I soon built my dream gaming rig, played the latest AAA titles in the highest quality, and even re-experienced Rockstar’s recent titles, including all the Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto games, in their full glory.

Now, my eyes have grown accustomed to higher frame rates, and nowadays 30 FPS is simply a dealbreaker for me. This isn’t just me. I’ve discussed this with my friends, gamers online, and almost everyone agreed that 30 FPS is a thing of the past.

Yes, I know that 30 FPS Quality mode exists in all video games released in 2026. However, the other modes included in PS5 Pro, such as Ray Tracing Pro (60 FPS with RT), Balanced (40 FPS), and Performance (60 FPS), appeal to console gamers more than the Quality mode.

Now just imagine this: it’s November 19, and GTA 6 has finally launched! You take the Grotti Cheetah ’95 (that comes with the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition) and cruise at high speeds through the neon-drenched streets of Vice City. But experiencing all of this at 30 FPS would obviously feel sluggish to eyes that are used to smoother frame rates; at least that’s the case for me.

And to top it off, I even have an OLED monitor, which I bought especially for GTA 6 once again. Now 30 FPS would feel even worse to my eyes than on an LCD. 30 FPS would definitely be a frustrating compromise for me, and that is exactly why I think Rockstar should have given players the choice.

Give PS5 Pro Owners at Least a 40 FPS Mode

Now, I know that many of you are ready to make a sacrifice and experience GTA 6 at 30 FPS at launch; that is why I sincerely believe Rockstar must have come up with two graphical modes at launch. A Quality mode locked at 30 FPS and a Performance mode locked at 60 FPS seem like the right choice, at least for PS5 Pro owners.

Since GTA 6 is confirmed to be a PS5 Pro-enhanced title, every PS5 Pro owner like me was hoping that Rockstar Games makes use of the extra power to deliver a smoother experience at launch. GTA 6 on PS5 Pro will, of course, have a higher resolution, better Ray Tracing, shadows, and more.

Even though I was more than willing to sacrifice some visual fidelity to ensure a smooth and stable 60 FPS experience in GTA 6, it has become impossible for Rockstar to achieve a 60 FPS mode. Rockstar Games is pushing both console platforms to their absolute limits to bring the vast and rich world of Leonida to life.

They are doing this all while maintaining the density and visual fidelity of all its environments and inhabitants. Since the PS5 Pro didn’t receive any major upgrade in the CPU department, it is totally understandable that GTA 6 struggles to hit the 60 FPS mark even on the Pro.

Everyone is aware of the PS5 Pro’s CPU limit and that GTA 6 is CPU-bound. In addition, the NPC density, expansive open world, and complex character physics and mechanics together make it more challenging than ever to deliver a 60 FPS experience on the Pro consoles.

Since 60 FPS isn’t possible, I at least hoped that Rockstar Games could offer a 40 FPS Balanced mode. 40 FPS indeed makes a night-and-day difference compared to 30 FPS because of the reduced frame times. I was ready to settle for a 40 FPS mode, but it is no longer on the cards as well.

So there is no other option but to accept the truth and play GTA 6 at 30 FPS at launch. So all I can do at the moment is put my faith in Rockstar Games once again to do the impossible and at least offer a 40 FPS mode in a post-launch update.

Earlier, GTA 6’s metadata revealed that the game supports a 120Hz high framerate output mode, but without Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). So, adding a 40 FPS mode is entirely up to Rockstar Games, and I hope they do so sometime after launch. In that way, Rockstar can make it up to disappointed PS5 Pro owners after crushing their 60 FPS dreams.