Tools for this page
Print

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Violent, open-world, do-anything mature adventure.

In this game kids can:   kill humans (with blood), live vicariously, play in a virtual world, race

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Not an issue.
  • Educational value:

    None.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Gangster lifestyle is central to the storyline, so violence, misogyny, and mayhem are all rewarded.
  • Role models:

    You are a gangster with no moral compass. You kill policemen, hookers, and anyone else you encounter. You can explore just about any deviant behavior.
  • Violence:

    Gang warfare, beatings, drive-by shootings, killing of innocent bystanders, bloody and grotesque deaths.
  • Sex:

    The game contains everything from idle come-ons and sexual encounters to pimping and strip clubs. Partial/near nudity.The infamous "Hot Coffee" hidden scene has been removed by the game makers.
  • Language:

    You're unlikely to find a video game that uses the "F" word more liberally. Consistent, repeated use of profanity in almost all scenes.
  • Consumerism:

    Faux radio and billboard ads spoof national brands.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drug use is prevalent and there is some alcohol consumption, as well.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know that this game is raunchy and violent and portrays just about every deviant act that a criminal could think of in full, living 3-D graphics. Players participate in drive-by shootings, deliver prostitutes to their johns, kill mob bosses, hijack vehicles, and learn to operate within the criminal world. The star rating given to this game is based on quality of gameplay within this adult genre of video gaming and is not an endorsement of the violence within the game.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the presence of adult content in video games. How do you feel when you are doing things that are clearly illegal or immoral? The game is a way to experience criminal life without societal consequences -- is it the "forbidden fruit" aspect that draws so many people to it?
  • Why do you think this game is so popular?
  • How do you think violent media affects you?
Did this review help you decide?

OK for Your Kids to Play?

Do you play it? Review It!

More on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

What’s the Story?

In GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS, players must run, gun, and drive through a bustling city to perform missions such as knocking off a mob boss or preventing a truckload of ammunition from reaching its destination. Gamers play as Carl "CJ" Johnson, a young man who returns to the slums to avenge his mother's murder with the help of his old gang. New gameplay features to the Grand Theft Autoseries require players to perfect certain skills over time, such as hand-to-hand combat and driving. You must also earn "respect" with each mission; the more you gain, the more likely gang members will help you on missions.

Is It Any Good?

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas boasts an exceptional soundtrack, a well-written story line and a slew of plot twists and other surprises. The dialogue between CJ and his crew is raw but convincing, and some big-name celebrities contribute their vocal talent, including James Woods and George Clinton.

Without question, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas isn't for kids because of its graphic violence, sex, and coarse language, but mature fans of this 32 million-unit-selling franchise who want to know if this sequel lives up to its hype, the answer is a resounding yes. Few video games pull off everything successfully, but San Andreas does so in spades. Indeed, this mature-rated game may be deemed offensive for its depiction of life as a "gangbanger," but if taken for what it is -- an interactive action-adventure for adult gamers -- you won't find a title that's more difficult to put down.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Rockstar Games
Released on: 11/2/2004, Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: M for Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

What did you think about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?

or

to post a review

See all 158 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    GTA: San Andreas

    Its a good game. Not the best, but there are hours of fun that come out of it.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • Safety is an issue
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Adults Only

    Even though I played this: It should be 18+ (like the original rating of "AO") because I have seen the Hot Coffie Minigame and have it. There is strong language, strong sexual content, very violent, blood and gore, alchol usage, and nudity (if you have hot coffie mod). I think it is a fun and easy to play game, but not for kids. (DOESNT INCLUDE ME OKAY?)

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Perfect for teens, an iffy for tweens.

    This edition of Grand Theft Auto is fine. It's violent due to assassinations and all. The language is over-rated, to be exact it's very racist. But that's over-all fine if you can leave the language.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    FUN, like it. play all the time, but hide from my parents

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    A iffy game for 17+

    awsome but none of my kids are playing this

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    Percy Jackson Fever

    Percy Jackson Fever

    Read the book before you see the movie!

  • Advice for Parents

    Facebook for Parents

    Facebook for Parents

    Get info and facts to keep your kids safe and smart on Facebook.

  • Must See TV

    Team Umizoomi

    Team Umizoomi

    Super team teaches preschoolers real-life math applications.

  • Pick of the Week

    Sites for Haiti

    Sites for Haiti

    Help kids get involved.

  • Game of the Week

    Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

    Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

    Fave brainy bunny hops to DS for learning romp that talks.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name