The GTA 6 Gravity Well: Why GTA 5 is Still Dominating the 2026 Charts
The Bottom Line: Despite being a three-generation-old relic, Grand Theft Auto 5 secured the #2 and #3 spots on the January 2026 PS5 download charts. We believe this isn't just a fluke—it’s the "GTA 6 Effect" in full swing, as players revisit Los Santos to prep for the series' next evolution. Only Embark’s ARC Raiders managed to hold the line against the Rockstar juggernaut.
Our editorial team has seen this cycle before, but never with this much intensity. We remember the 2013 launch on PS3 like it was yesterday, and seeing a thirteen-year-old title go toe-to-toe with 2026's heavy hitters like Black Ops 7 and EA Sports FC 26 is frankly absurd. It’s clear that Rockstar’s ecosystem has become the industry’s permanent "center of gravity."
January 2026 PS5 Download Rankings
The following data highlights the split between the US/Canada and European markets. While the top three remain relatively consistent, the "comfort food" gaming trend is keeping legacy titles on life support long past their expected expiration dates.
| Rank | US / Canada | Europe (EU) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARC Raiders | EA SPORTS FC 26 |
| 2 | Grand Theft Auto V | ARC Raiders |
| 3 | NBA 2K26 | Grand Theft Auto V |
| 4 | Minecraft | UFC 5 |
| 5 | EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 | Minecraft |
The "ARC Raiders" Exception
We need to talk about ARC Raiders. For a newer IP to trump GTA 5 in the current climate is a massive win for Embark. It’s the only title effectively breaking the "Live Service Stagnation" we’ve been tracking over the last 24 months. While GTA 5 relies on nostalgia and the impending GTA 6 hype, ARC Raiders is actually pulling numbers based on its current gameplay loop and extraction meta.
Legacy Fatigue or Just Better Games?
Look at the rest of the list: The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, and Minecraft. Our analysis suggests a widening gap in the market. New AA and AAA titles are struggling to find oxygen because players are retreating to "Forever Games."
- The Hype Tax: Every time Rockstar drops a GTA 6 trailer, GTA 5 sales spike. It’s the industry’s most reliable Pavlovian response.
- Live-Service Stickiness: Titles like Black Ops 7 and FC 26 are staples, but their inability to unseat a decade-old port in the North American market should be a wake-up call for Activision and EA.
- The "Fallout" Tail: Fallout 4's presence, years after the TV show boost, proves that once a game hits "Legacy Status," it becomes nearly impossible to dislodge from the top 20.
Our Take: If you’re a developer trying to launch a new IP in 2026, you aren't just competing with the latest hits—you’re competing with the entire history of the medium. The fact that Grand Theft Auto 5 is still a podium finisher on the PS5 port's fourth anniversary is a grim reminder that until GTA 6 actually ships, we’re all living in Rockstar’s world.