Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an iconic open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. Released in 2004, the game is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, which is based on California in the early 1990s. The game's narrative follows the story of Carl "CJ" Johnson, a former gang member who returns to his hometown of Los Santos after a five-year absence. Upon his return, CJ finds his family and friends in disarray, and he soon becomes embroiled in a world of crime, corruption, and violence.
The game's storyline is heavily influenced by the social and economic issues of the time, including gang violence, police corruption, and the crack epidemic. The game's setting is also notable for its faithful recreation of 1990s California, complete with nostalgic references to the music, fashion, and pop culture of the era. With its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and vast open world to explore, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has become a beloved classic among gamers and is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time.
Key Points
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an open-world action-adventure game set in the fictional state of San Andreas.
- The game's narrative follows the story of Carl "CJ" Johnson, a former gang member who returns to his hometown of Los Santos.
- The game's setting is based on California in the early 1990s and features a faithful recreation of the era's music, fashion, and pop culture.
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has a vast open world to explore, complete with a variety of missions, side quests, and activities.
- The game's storyline explores themes of gang violence, police corruption, and social inequality.
Gameplay and Features

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas features a vast open world to explore, complete with a variety of missions, side quests, and activities. The game’s gameplay is centered around the player’s ability to explore the world, complete missions, and engage in various activities such as driving, shooting, and fighting. The game also features a unique “wanted” system, which allows the player to attract the attention of the police and other enemies, adding an extra layer of complexity and challenge to the gameplay.
The game's graphics and sound design were also widely praised at the time of its release, with the game's 3D graphics and realistic sound effects helping to create a immersive and engaging gaming experience. The game's soundtrack, which features a mix of hip-hop, rock, and pop music, is also notable for its nostalgic value and its ability to transport the player back to the early 1990s.
Technical Specifications
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was developed using the RenderWare game engine, which was also used in other Grand Theft Auto games. The game’s system requirements were relatively high at the time of its release, with the game requiring a 1 GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 64 MB graphics card. The game was also released on several platforms, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC.
Platform | Release Date | System Requirements |
---|---|---|
PlayStation 2 | October 26, 2004 | 1 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, 64 MB graphics card |
Xbox | June 7, 2005 | 1.4 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, 64 MB graphics card |
PC | June 7, 2005 | 1.4 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, 64 MB graphics card |

Impact and Legacy

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has had a significant impact on the gaming industry, with its open-world design and engaging gameplay influencing a wide range of other games. The game’s success also helped to establish the Grand Theft Auto series as one of the most popular and successful gaming franchises of all time, with the series going on to sell over 275 million copies worldwide.
The game's legacy can also be seen in its influence on popular culture, with the game's characters, music, and references to 1990s pop culture becoming ingrained in the public consciousness. The game's iconic protagonist, Carl "CJ" Johnson, is also widely regarded as one of the greatest video game characters of all time, with his story and personality continuing to inspire and influence gamers and non-gamers alike.
Critical Reception
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with the game’s engaging gameplay, memorable characters, and immersive open world receiving high praise from critics. The game holds a Metacritic score of 95 out of 100, based on 56 reviews, with many critics praising the game’s ability to balance gameplay and storytelling.
The game also received several awards and nominations, including Game of the Year at the 2004 Spike Video Game Awards and Best Game at the 2005 BAFTA Video Game Awards. The game's success has also been recognized by the Guinness World Records, with the game being named as one of the best-selling video games of all time.
What is the main storyline of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
+The main storyline of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas follows the story of Carl “CJ” Johnson, a former gang member who returns to his hometown of Los Santos after a five-year absence. Upon his return, CJ finds his family and friends in disarray, and he soon becomes embroiled in a world of crime, corruption, and violence.
What are the system requirements for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
+The system requirements for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas vary depending on the platform. For the PlayStation 2, the game requires a 1 GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 64 MB graphics card. For the Xbox and PC, the game requires a 1.4 GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 64 MB graphics card.
What is the legacy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?
+Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has had a significant impact on the gaming industry, with its open-world design and engaging gameplay influencing a wide range of other games. The game’s success also helped to establish the Grand Theft Auto series as one of the most popular and successful gaming franchises of all time, with the series going on to sell over 275 million copies worldwide.