There's near-constant profanity, with innumerable f-bombs and pretty much any other word you can think of. And if you happen to miss the audio version, the words are often in the captions.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
You'll find everything you can imagine here: gang warfare, beatings, drive-by shootings, the killing of innocent bystanders, and bloody deaths. Players can drive on the sidewalk, running over pedestrians at will, or assault a pedestrian on the street, beating him to death to get money (or beating a police officer to death to get his weapon).
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Explicitly sexual. Prostitutes are prominent characters in the game, both as part of the story and non-player characters -- and they're dressed in low-cut apparel, true to the streetwalker cliche. You can gain "health points" by having implied sex with a prostitute in your car, where you hear what's happening and watch the rhythmic actions of the couple from a distance but don't actually see the act.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
The game is part of a long-running franchise, and players may be moved to buy a more recent version of the game after playing this.
Ease of Play
some
The game gives a variety of control options -- from a virtual analog stick to swipe gestures -- and has well-placed controls for other game features. This is optimal for tablets, but smartphone users might have too much on-screen at one time.
Educational Value
very little
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a game that's completely inappropriate for children -- as are other games in the GTA series. The drug trade is glamorized and there's nonstop violence and sex, and it could teach them a few obscenities that even parents are unfamiliar with. The game is a direct recreation of the console hit, and what didn't work for kids then still doesn't today. Players can lead a life of crime, shoot police officers (as well as civilians and drug dealers), drink and drive, and have sex with prostitutes. The infamous "Hot Coffee" interactive sex scene that could be unlocked in the original game has been removed, though.
i played all old grand theft autos from ages 10-11 and then got gta v the day after my 12th birthday. i'm a female (not that it should make a difference) but playing never caused anything as was exposed to language elsewhere and violence is visible in many cartoons. its an old and outdated game, even in newer gta v you never really see gore etc just red splatters. giving your child access if they want is a good idea, as trust me, if not, they will probably find alternatives.
Players can select how they move around the screen. They can use a virtual analog stick on the lower-left corner of the screen; digital buttons, which can be resized and moved around the screen to a place most comfortable for the player; or finger flicks, which can also be used in the lower-left corner of the screen. Controls to accelerate or brake while driving are on the lower-right corner of the screen, as are combat options when on foot.
There shouldn't be any doubt by now that any game in the Grand Theft Auto series is a poor choice for young players. That doesn't take away the quality of the game for mature audiences. GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS is widely considered one of the best games in the series, with a strong story, plot twists, and mature themes. Also, this mobile port of the game is just as solid as the console version.
That said, the pervasive sex, drugs, harsh language, and nonstop violence make it wholly inappropriate for children. However, adults looking for a solid, interactive action-adventure game won't be able to put it down.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
