Why India’s console shortage is about more than just GTA VI hype

A gaming console shortage spreading across India is proving to be about more than just excitement for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI). While enquiries for consoles have risen sharply ahead of the game’s anticipated launch later this year, retailers say the demand isn’t solely driven by the title itself — it’s colliding with a supply problem that predates it.

“It is not just Mangaluru, there is practically zero stock across India. The last batch of around 18 units we received was sold out within a day,” said one authorised retailer, describing a pattern reported consistently across the country. A staff member at a different gaming store said they field four to five calls daily from customers checking availability, but “there is demand, but no stock. Even if we arrange a piece, it comes at a higher price and not at MRP.”

Compounding the shortage is an looming price hike from a major console brand. Global prices have already been revised upward, and retailers expect that increase to reach India soon. “The next restock will likely come at a higher price,” one dealer said, noting the news has triggered some consumer hesitation and online backlash even as enquiries hold steady at up to 10 calls a day at some stores.

The shortage is nudging some consumers toward gaming PCs instead, with retailers reporting growing interest in high-end graphics cards and custom builds. But that shift has its own constraints: Nagendra Prabhu of Suprabhata Computers said rising prices for RAM, SSDs and processors over the past six months have discouraged many customers from building PCs too, leaving them enquiring without ultimately buying.