Grand Theft Auto V: Special Edition vs Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Grand Theft Auto V: Special Edition is an action-adventure game that takes place in the fictional city of Los Santos and its surrounding areas. Players control three characters: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. The game features a vast open world, engaging storyline, and various side missions and activities.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North. The game is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, based on California, and follows the story of Carl Johnson as he returns to his hometown of Los Santos. The game features a vast open world, engaging storyline, and improved gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessors.
- Engaging storyline with complex characters and multiple endings
- Vast open world to explore, complete with a richly detailed environment
- Variety of side missions and activities to engage in
- Stunning graphics and realistic sound effects
- Immersive gameplay
- Rich storyline
- Vast open world
- Improved graphics
- Mature themes and content may not be suitable for all players
- Some players may find the game's controls and mechanics to be complex and difficult to master
- Online multiplayer mode can be affected by server issues and lag
- Steep learning curve
- Some missions can be frustratingly difficult
- Limited multiplayer options
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Alternatives to Grand Theft Auto V: Special Edition
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Grand Theft Auto V is a vast open world game set in Los Santos, a sprawling sun-soaked metropolis struggling to stay afloat in an era of eco
Alternatives to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
View all →Grand Theft Auto V is a vast open world game set in Los Santos, a sprawling sun-soaked metropolis struggling to stay afloat in an era of eco
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGTA V is the higher-scoring, more modern default with broader multiplayer, while San Andreas offers significantly wider platform compatibility at a lower price point. The main trade-off is cutting-edge presentation and multiplayer depth versus vintage availability and budget savings.
Key differences
- •GTA V features three switchable main characters, whereas San Andreas focuses on improving a single character's skills and abilities as you progress.
- •GTA V is priced at an MSRP of $59.99 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, while San Andreas costs $19.99 and is available on a massive range of platforms including PC, mobile, and multiple console generations.
- •GTA V includes traditional multiplayer with friends completing missions together, while San Andreas supports single-player and cooperative multiplayer.
- •GTA V achieved a slightly higher critic score of 96/100 compared to San Andreas's 93/100, with a release date nearly a decade later in 2013.
Gameplay & fun factor
GTA V offers seamless switching between three unique characters and a vast array of side missions, scoring a stellar 96/100 critic rating.
Platform availability
San Andreas is available on a massive list of platforms including PC, mobile devices, and numerous consoles, unlike GTA V's restricted PS3/Xbox 360 list.
Price & value
San Andreas is much cheaper with an MSRP of $19.99, while GTA V costs $59.99.
Multiplayer / co-op
GTA V features full multiplayer to play with friends, whereas San Andreas has more limited multiplayer options featuring co-operative play.
Content & replayability
Both games offer vast open worlds to explore, rich storylines with multiple characters, side activities like racing and shooting, and character/vehicle customization.
Difficulty & accessibility
GTA V's cons mention complex controls, but San Andreas is noted for a steep learning curve and frustratingly difficult missions.
Graphics & performance
GTA V delivers stunning graphics and realistic sound effects from 2013, whereas San Andreas boasts improved graphics for its 2004 release era.
Choose Grand Theft Auto V: Special Edition if…
Gamers with a PS3 or Xbox 360 wanting top-tier graphics, three playable protagonists, and robust multiplayer.
Choose Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas if…
Budget-conscious players seeking a classic open-world experience across PC, mobile, or multiple generations of consoles.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is cheaper with an MSRP of $19.99, compared to Grand Theft Auto V's MSRP of $59.99.
Which platforms can I play these games on?
GTA V is on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. San Andreas is on a huge range of platforms including PC, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and multiple PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Which game scored higher with critics?
Grand Theft Auto V received a critic score of 96/100, while Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas received a critic score of 93/100.