PS5 lands new hardware upgrade intended for GTA 6 as it bolsters 'plays best' claim

Grand Theft Auto VI supposedly “plays best” on PlayStation 5, with a new hardware release now seemingly bolstering that claim.

Rockstar Games and PlayStation have partnered up to market PlayStation 5 consoles as the home of GTA VI.

The game is set to be fully optimised for the PlayStation 5 Pro plus, according to its PlayStation Store listing, will feature fast loading and haptic feedback.

It’ll also make use of the DualSense’s integrated speaker and adaptive triggers and the PS5’s Tempest 3D audio.

All of PlayStation’s headsets make use of 3D audio, including those that were available at launch.

That being said, if you want the best possible experience, PlayStation is clearly hoping you’ll take advantage of the new PlayStation Pulse wireless headset which handily lands on November 19, GTA VI’s launch day.

Pre-orders for the new headset open a couple of weeks before launch on October 29, with the accessory set to be available in both White and Midnight Black.

The headset has been confirmed to cost $99.99 / £89.99 GBP / €99.99 / ¥15,980, putting it in the mid-range space of the headphone market.

The Pulse is a natural successor to 2020’s Pulse 3D headset

Clearly, this headset is intended to be an updated version of the Pulse 3D wireless headset that launched alongside the console back in 2020.

The names are incredibly similar, so it wouldn’t be totally surprising if the Pulse 3D was phased out, although there’s no confirmation of that just yet.

While some will potentially upgrade from the Pulse 3D to the Pulse, the latter is perhaps predominantly hoping to target those that don’t have an official headset, but want the full experience for GTA VI.

The Pulse headset will feature planar magnetic drivers and PlayStation Link connectivity which, previously, were exclusively features of the pricey Pulse Elite headset.

PlayStation hopes to offer “deliver exceptional sound separation and spatial accuracy” thanks to the “custom studio-inspired planar magnetic drivers”, as per a PlayStation Blog post.

That essentially means the 3D audio should be as lifelike as can be, so whether it’s footsteps behind you or a car zooming past, sounds should feel utterly immersive.

The headset also promises to include a deeper bass sound thanks to the larger planar drivers, while the hidden mic is fitted with AI-enhanced noise rejection to filter out background noise.

In terms of ease of use, the earcups now rotate which was not a feature of the original Pulse 3D. That should make storing and transporting the headset easier.

That being said, some are concerned about the downsizing of the headband, wondering whether its slimmer design could make the headset flimsy.

It’s not the only headset on the way with the Pulse Edge due in 2027. Clearly, however, the more accessible Pulse option was accelerated to synergise with GTA VI’s launch.

It awaits to be seen how many GTA VI gamers make use of the new hardware option.