Parents' Guide to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Game Windows , Xbox 2004
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Marc Saltzman By Marc Saltzman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 18+

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

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 18+?

Any Positive Content?

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age 13+

Based on 36 parent reviews

Parents say the game offers a complex story that explores deeper themes, making it one of the better entries in the series despite its age rating. While many agree it contains excessive language, violence, and some mature content, many also believe that responsible and mature teens can handle its themes, suggesting it can be entertaining and beneficial for older players if monitored appropriately.

  • age suitability
  • complex story
  • excessive violence
  • responsible play
  • exploration themes
Summarized with AI
 

 

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age 12+

Based on 98 kid reviews

Kids say that this video game is a mix of fun and controversy, with many enjoying its storytelling and open-world features but expressing concerns over excessive violence, strong language, and mature themes. While some players argue it's suitable for mature teens, others stress that younger audiences should avoid it due to its explicit content and potential influence on behavior.

  • fun gameplay
  • violence concerns
  • strong language
  • suitable for mature teens
  • explicit themes
Summarized with AI
 

 

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What's It About?

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?

Our review:
Parents say ( 36 ):
Kids say ( 98 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Game Details

  • Platforms : Windows , Xbox
  • Pricing structure :
  • Available online? : Not available online
  • Publisher : Rockstar Games
  • Release date : November 2, 2004
  • Genre : Action/Adventure
  • ESRB rating : M for Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs
  • Last updated : December 11, 2025

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