
Grand Theft Auto 6 is just ten months away and seems bound to be the game of the generation. Trailer 2 and the screenshots that followed look incredible, and even Death Stranding 2, one of the most visually impressive games right now, isn’t in the same league compared to the visual quality Rockstar has shown us. I’ve already 100% completed every GTA game to prepare, but after replaying the older titles, I realized one amazing element that few games match up to.
There are numerous requested features fans want to see in GTA 6, even explanations like what’s behind the big global warming problem in the GTA universe. However, I would love — and frankly need — a calming, soothing, and chilled-out pause menu music track. The pause music in Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA 5 is so relaxing and soothing that it always brightens my day, and GTA 6 would do well to follow suit.
Grand Theft Auto Has Some Of The Best Pause Music In Gaming
It Gives You Those Perfect Vibes
While I personally think that the quality of the licensed music in GTA 4 and 5 was a noticeable downgrade from the classic trilogy, the quality of the original soundtracks jumped up dramatically. GTA 6 has a tough hill to climb to beat out the original score for GTA 5, which has so many great tracks, but what’s special about the newer GTA titles is the pause music.
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I’m Already Convinced GTA 6 Will Repeat GTA 5’s Biggest Disappointment
The more we learn about GTA 6, the more I worry it could repeat Rockstar’s worst missed opportunity for GTA 5, leaving its own story dead on arrival.
GTA 4 introduced pause music to the main series, and while the pause tracks for the base game and The Lost and Damned were fairly atmospheric and fit the tone, the track for Ballad of Gay Tony was incredible. Thanks to the unbelievably relaxing and chilled-out track, I always stayed on the pause menu longer than I needed to just to hear more of this incredible music. It’s fantastic for relieving stress.
One day, I was very stressed out mentally, popped in my GTA 4: Episodes from Liberty City disc into my Xbox (incidentally, the best platform to prepare for GTA 6), and just felt so much better. GTA 5 followed suit, and while the pause music isn’t as good it’s still relaxing and soothing in its own right. It’s no surprise that GTA 5’s pause music track is used as background music for tons of gaming YouTube videos.
That Calming And Soothing Feel Must Return In GTA 6
It Would Make GTA 6 That Much Better
Relaxing pause music isn’t a necessity for most GTA fans, but it would be the cherry on top of the GTA 6 package. I love chilling out in Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA 5’s pause menu because of how great the music is, and it’s actually helpful for people who want to be in that relaxing state of mind. Look at Call of Duty, for example.

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Everyone is waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6 with bated breath, but there’s a huge opportunity for a particular GTA clone to make a comeback.
There’s an entire multiplayer theme for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 called Raining the Fire, and it’s an amazing track. COD doesn’t need a theme for multiplayer, but it helps so much, getting you pumped up for that multiplayer FPS action. GTA has a similar effect with its pause music, and it would be such a shame for Grand Theft Auto 6 to forgo this incredible aspect of the prior titles.
Source: 1DERER/YouTube

Grand Theft Auto 6
- Released
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May 26, 2026
- Engine
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Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE)
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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yes
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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May 26, 2026