Pre-orders for the Grand Theft Auto 6-themed PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers went live on September 10, immediately overwhelming Sony's PlayStation Direct store. The Vice City-inspired gamepads, priced at $85 each, saw such intense demand that many prospective buyers faced hour-long queues or were unable to complete their purchases.
Some users reported being redirected to an error message screen featuring the PlayStation mascot, Astro Bot, while attempting to secure a controller. The custom controllers feature a distinct pink color scheme and a pattern that evokes the aesthetic of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Both black and white variants were made available.
While PlayStation Direct struggled to manage the influx of traffic, other retailers like Best Buy appeared to handle the demand more effectively. However, even on these alternative platforms, the controllers sold out quickly, indicating a widespread desire for the limited-edition merchandise. Many players found more success through third-party retailers, though availability was still extremely limited.