GamesRadar - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Game censorship around the world (Feature)

Sep 30, 2009

Games are banned in two primary ways. The first is by corporate policy. When a company refuses to sell or distribute an unrated game, it is effectively censoring the game, but they can’t be entirely lampooned for attempting to maintain a positive image. Nintendo has every right to prevent “Sextrobes: Pornigins” from being released on the Wii ...

GTA IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony - What GR editors thought (Preview)

Sep 16, 2009

Last week, Rockstar visited our UK and US offices to show us the latest instalment of GTA IV's Xbox 360 exclusive DLC - The Ballad Of Gay Tony. ...

Hot Coffee Suit Pointed to Take-Two Duplicity Born of Financial Turmoil (News)

Sep 2, 2009

Struggling to stay afloat, Take-Two decided to ship Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas with a sex scene in the game and later lied to investors to cover up their decision, according to the suit settled today.

The 2006 suit, which was tentatively settled for $20 million, also alleges that company officers earned more than $18 million in insider trading even as the company's stock plummeted.

"As a result of the disclosures of the Company's true financial condition, its stock ratings have been slashed," the suit, initially filed by John Fenninger who purchased Take-Two common stock, states. "Moreover, the Company is exposed to class action lawsuits and regulatory enforcement actions brought by the Attorney Generals of several states. While the public investors lost over one billion dollars in market capitalization, the Individual Defendants pocketed over $18 million in insider trading proceeds."

The Top Ten Selling PS2 Games Of All Time (News)

Aug 30, 2009

Grand Theft Auto dominates the list, but some suprise entries from Need for Speed and Medal of Honor lower down the list...

12 videogame stories that jumped the shark (Feature)

Aug 7, 2009

There is no better way to end GamesRadar’s Shark Week than by preying upon sharkdom’s oldest and greatest catchphrase, “Jumping the Shark.” Popularized by the literal jumping of a shark in a 1977 episode of Happy Days, the colloquialism is now used to describe something veering into absurdity or lesser quality. ...

Grand Theft Auto Playstation 2 Bundle (News)

Jul 21, 2009

Lost among the piles and piles of Playstation 3 and PSP announcements, we were totally unaware Rockstar were releasing a fabulous new package for the Playstation 2 which consists of Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Vice City and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. If you've never touched said games then the Grand Theft Auto Triple Pack launches on July 31st for £17.99.

Yes, £17.99.

That's about 100 hours worth of game for under £20. Bar-gain.

The Top 7... game religions (Feature)

May 11, 2009

Founded by a group of religious cultists who worship an unexploded megaton bomb, who then built their church at the centre of the crater the bomb created. These Children of Atom believe that the atomic masses released by nuclear bombs contain whole universes and are therefore sacred.

How about being constantly surrounded by the most upbeat, glass half full folk any of us are ever likely to meet? Full ...

10 games guaranteed to give you gamer rage (Feature)

Mar 27, 2009

It can strike at anytime without warning. It can take many forms. Someone you know, even a loved one, could be afflicted with it as you read this very sentence. That’s right, ‘gamer rage’ can strike anyone at any moment. From platform fans to beat ‘em up enthusiasts, no one is safe.

The following games all contain dangerous levels of gamer rage-baiting moments. Want to avoid a stroke, heart attack or assault ...

200 Edge covers in 20 seconds (News)

Mar 6, 2009

Abe Lincoln. Charles Darwin. Edge. Between them they’ve mastered the realms of politics, science and writing about overweight Italian plumbers. And, more importantly than any of that, they’re now all 200. Yep, the long-running and respected games mag has just reached its 200th issue, celebrating the landmark event by publishing 200 unique covers.

So if you’re mad for Master Chief, delirious over Deus Ex or want to dip ...

The Top 7… worst games in great games (Feature)

Feb 16, 2009

Today, we’re taking a timeout to break through the fourth wall of online features about games to highlight the seven worst games set in the worlds of great games. Why? Because these minigames are a special breed of boring. We’re tired of tacked-on gambling activities, awful fictional sports, and stale satires of classic arcade hits that dwell in the bowels of some of the best games ever.

Why does this happen? ...

Warning: This article definitely contains spoilers (Feature)

Feb 6, 2009

Right, Darth Vader is Luke’s father, Bruce Willis is dead in the Sixth Sense, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are the same person in Fight Club. There, we’ve just ruined three movies for you. We’re fairly sure you won’t care about us ruining these plot twists by the end of this article, though, as we’re about to spill the beans on 80 (some potentially game-ruining) spoilers. ...

The greatest game on every platform (Feature)

Jan 28, 2009

What is the best Super Nintendo game ever made? Which Xbox 360 title is already the definitive classic? What Atari, Dreamcast and PlayStation experiences are most worth remembering? Growing tired of the internet’s countless, wishy-washy attempts to answer such questions, we decided to make the tough decisions ourselves. You’ll find no Top 5s, Top 7s, Top 15s or Top 100s here - just a single winner and runner up for each platform. ...

Gaming’s least hard hard-men (Feature)

Jan 27, 2009

Promoted as the hardest thing since Chuck Norris’ forehead, the following collection of grizzled marines, legendary soldiers and black-hearted school children cut imposing figures. Break past the Duke Nukem tough veneer, though, and you’ll actually find most of these hard men are really as daunting as the Wii’s processing power.

If over-pronounced bouts of masculinity are a sign of insecurity, then these boys must all ...

Old GTA games sold 1 million units in May-July (News)

Sep 5, 2008

Speaking in an earnings call following the release of Q3 financials last night, Take-Two CEO Ben Feder said that old GTA titles have sold in seven figure units for the quarter.

Grand Theft Auto Helps Preteen Rescue Family From Crashed Car (News)

Sep 3, 2008

Kotaku writes: "While we've seen countless story regarding children using Grand Theft Auto as their inspiration to do wrong, it's extremely rare that we see news about GTA being cited as a cause for good. It happened on August 27th around 9pm, as the Norris family of five was heading to Diamond, Illinois to visit relatives. Their 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee swerved off the road, hitting a guardrail and flipping four times before coming to a stop, caving in the roof and smashing out the back window. With her mother hanging upside down and her father pinned against the steering wheel, 11-year-old Audrey Plique climbed out of the back window and helped her parents and two younger siblings escape the car. The motivation for her heroic act, according to her mother Karen Norris?

'She just knew, from playing 'Grand Theft Auto.' She saw on there that when a car rolls over, it can blow up. She knew that could happen to us'"

Attorney: Blame Grand Theft Auto in Court, Get Rich (News)

Aug 28, 2008

shacknews.com: The use of Grand Theft Auto as a scapegoat isn't going anywhere, says law professor Ashley Lipson. The trick is worth too much money.

"A good defense lawyer will blame everyone in sight, except of course the client. When he or she runs out of people to blame, it's time to look around for objects. What could be better than a popular videogame?"

Gaming's fittest fatties (Feature)

Aug 13, 2008

Video game characters are increasingly becoming the poster children for gym membership. With most of gaming’s heroes and heroines being chiseled, pert and with cheek bones you could grate cheese on, there seems to be less and less room for the more gelatinous gentleman in the industry. ...

3 Teens Arrested; Say 'Grand Theft Auto' Taught Them About Molotov Cocktails (News)

Aug 7, 2008

WSBTV writes: "Fulton County officials said they have arrested three teens and charged them with 57 felony counts in connection with a recent series of car bombings with Molotov cocktails in the city of Milton, north of Atlanta.

The felony charges include arson, criminal damage to property and possession of explosive devices in six vehicle fires between 11 p.m. July 24 and 3 a.m. July 25. Each teen is charged with 19 counts.

Officials said the teens -- ages 15 and 16 -- told authorities they learned "how to do it" from playing the video game 'Grand Theft Auto.'"

Settlement Over Sex Scenes in Grand Theft Auto Hits a Snag (News)

Aug 1, 2008

A federal judge has put the brakes on a lawsuit filed over sex scenes buried in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

United States District Judge Shirley Wohl Kram wrote that purchasers of the game could not be lumped together in a class action. The claims of members of the proposed class would be affected by the law in each purchaser's home state, Judge Kram wrote, and therefore could not be resolved in a single proceeding in federal court in New York.

"Accordingly, the court decertifies the settlement class on the grounds that common issues do not predominate over individualized issues," the judge wrote.

INTERVIEW: Sam Houser (News)

Jul 11, 2008

MCV: The Rockstar co-founder looks back over his amazingly successful career, discussing his biggest challenges, successes - and what's he's still to achieve.

Sam Houser: Games industry has 'limitless' potential (News)

Jul 11, 2008

MCV: Rockstar boss reveals his motivations and his vision of the future in an exclusive MCV profile

San Andreas is biggest game in American history (News)

Jun 6, 2008

VG247: According to Forbes, GTA: San Andreas is the biggest selling game in America ever. Crime pays, clearly.

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (9.43 million)
2. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (8.2 million)
3. Madden NFL 2007 (7.7 million)
4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (7.3 million)
5. Madden NFL 2006 (6.65 million)
6. Halo 2 (6.6 million)
7. Madden NFL 2008 (6.56 million)
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (6.25 million)
9. Grand Theft Auto III (6.2 million)
10. Madden NFL 2005 (6.1 million)

GTA Rules NPD All-Time U.S. Top 10 (News)

Jun 5, 2008

Next-Gen.Biz writes: "The NPD Group has revealed the top 10 selling games of all time in the U.S. market.

Forbes reported earlier this week NPD Group's up-to-date top ten U.S. videogame sales figures by units, revealing a list dominated by the Grand Theft Auto and Madden NFL franchises.

As seen below, GTA: San Andreas from 2004 is the top-selling game in the U.S. with 9.43 million units sold. The franchise shows up on the top 10 three times, while Madden appears four times.

Activision had two 2007 titles already break the top 10 (Guitar Hero III and Call of Duty 4), while EA had one 2007 title on the list in the form of Madden NFL 08."

Top 10 10 million selling games since 2000 (News)

Jun 4, 2008

VGB writes: Here's the Top 10 10 million selling games. Since the year 2000, there have been few games that sold over 10 million.

Hooker Beauty Contest: GTA IV Edition (Feature)

May 28, 2008

Okay... put those last-gen Ladies of the Evening out of your mind, because the consummate professionals of Grand Theft Auto IV are here to strut the concrete catwalk. That’s right, the Hookers of GTA IV have arrived, and despite only coming in white and skinny, or fat and black, they’re positively overflowing with next-gen gutter-glam. ...

Did Lawyers Inflate Fees in Hot Coffee Class Action Suit? (News)

May 27, 2008

Lawyers who filed a class-action lawsuit against Take-Two Interactive over the 2005 Hot Coffee scandal have put in a claim for $1,000,000 in legal fees. However, the total value of a settlement award to 2,676 claimaints in the case tallies less than $27,000. Here's how those awards break down:

* Tier 1 (up to $35.00) (no [GTA San Andreas disc] exchange required):
416
* Tier 2 (up to $17.50) (exchange required): 22
* Tier 3 ($10.00) (exchange required): 131
* Tier 4 ($5.00) (no exchange required): 2,050
* Disc Exchange w/o cash: 57

Rockstar's Houser: "Hollywood Hegemony" Won't Support Games (News)

May 25, 2008

Kotaku reports:

In the June issue of Playboy, Rockstar's Dan Houser gave a somewhat rare full-page interview on Grand Theft Auto 4 and violent video games. Why, Houser was asked, don't other entertainment industries offer more support for video games, since their controversial content is often targeted for criticism in the same fashion?

"It's about economics. We take market share and audience from other media - video game makers are challenging the Hollywood hegemony - so they're going to fight us. But I'm not going to fight them. I believe your Constitution protects us."

When interviewer Scott Alexander asked Houser about inequity in the way adult games are treated as compared with film and other media, Houser said:

"These are works of fiction. Playing a game that features violence is no different from choosing to see a violent movie. We're not trying to create a 'here's real life' sensation in a video game; it's "you're the star of a movie. We want to re-create the sensations you have watching movies. We're putting those in a video game."

When asked to isolate why Rockstar's games seem to provoke a swath of mainstream anger from certain circles, Houser said:

"We're trying to give gamers freedom. It boils down to critics not liking the fact that people can choose to do 'bad' things in a fantasy world - which to me is silly."

The full interview is print only, so to read the whole thing you'd have to look at a copy of June's Playboy. You know, for the article, of course.

Grand Theft Radar: Art vs Game (Feature)

May 16, 2008

Ever since the advent of Grand Theft Auto III, the GTA series has practically been defined by the iconic art that's accompanied every release. It's adorned every cover and loading screen in the series so far, and when it changes - as it did to reflect the more realistic tone of Grand Theft Auto IV - people take notice. Distinct and memorable, it's added to the series' hip edge and made its characters into fearsome symbols of fearsome badassery, giving them a larger-than-life quality that jumbles of in-game polygons just can't pull off. ...

Pachter: PS3 Beat 360 in April, Software Boomed (News)

May 12, 2008

EDGE writes:

"Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that the PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 in the US during April, while monthly software sales hit $830 million, up 113 percent on last April's total.

Ahead of the NPD Group's April videogame sales data release, expected this Thursday after market close, Pachter forecast that Nintendo once again came out on top in terms of hardware sales, shifting 600,000 Wii consoles and 550,000 DS systems. He cited greater Wii and DS availability in his investor note as contributing factors to the systems' sales success. He also said he expects the PS3 to have outsold the Xbox 360 by 290,000 units to 275,000..."

GTA IV shatters UK first-week sales records (News)

May 6, 2008

MCV reveals that title sells almost a million units in five days; takes over £39 million at retail.

Top 10 Grand Theft Auto secrets (Feature)

Apr 28, 2008

It wasn’t easy compiling this list. There are just so many tiny brilliant things lurking the various cities of Grand Theft Auto - everything from tombstones that glow at night to a ‘Locals Only’ shop to Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP bike to the actual meaning of ‘burger shot’ to ridiculous posters for the Wizard of Ass - and there’s no telling which you might have seen, and which you may remain blissfully ...

Q: What is Rockstar really like? A: Nuts* (Feature)

Apr 28, 2008

You know they call themselves ‘Rockstar’. Quite a heady claim to live up to. So what are they like to meet in person? We asked a few prominent journos who’ve done just that… ...

6 Reasons why kids should play GTA (Feature)

Apr 25, 2008

Grand Theft Auto IV nearly upon us, and the only group anticipating the release of GTA IV more than gamers are lazy-ass journalists readying their speculative segments and editorials. Crouched at the April 29th starting line and foaming at the bit for that coveted variable to throw in place of their tired "Grand Theft Auto inspires X to Y" headlines. ...

The complete history of Grand Theft Auto (Feature)

Apr 25, 2008

Crime doesn’t pay. But virtual crime? That does pay. And by the bucket-load. Even by the time the series reached Florida, it was breaking records in a major way, with Vice City becoming the fastest-selling PS2 title ever - until San Andreas beat it. And that’s despite four million Americans pre-ordering Vice City, and a million more buying it upon its release (here in the UK, the Miami Vice-vibed title shifted over a quarter of ...

Grand Theft Radar: Did that just happen? (Feature)

Apr 23, 2008

...

Grand Theft Radar: Hooker Beauty Contest (Feature)

Apr 23, 2008

Heroes, cities and decades change, but in the world of Grand Theft Auto, the hard-working hooker will forever remain. No matter what the year or console, we can always count on her to patrol our virtual streets and stir up our real world controversy. Isn't it time, then, that this beloved gaming icon received the spotlight she deserves? And more importantly, isn't it fun to laugh at really cruddy last-gen graphics? We think so. ...

Grand Theft Radar: Is GTA as clever as it thinks it is? (Feature)

Apr 23, 2008

"Everything about Vice City positively reeks of genius."- TotalGames.net

"San Andreas successfully fuses its grand scale with consistently clever missions..."- GMR Magazine, Nov. 2004

"[GTA III is] the most innovative, outlandish, brilliant video game I've ever seen."- Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, Jan. 2002

Genius? Clever? Brilliant? Really?

Well, OK, yes. As a series, Grand Theft Auto has always been heaped ...

The craziest GTA videos... Part 2 (Feature)

Apr 21, 2008

Eight days until the whole gaming world pulls a sickie. Eight days until Grand Theft Auto IV finally launches and we can stop thinking about it and start playing the damn thing. So what say we all heighten our anticipation with another dose of brill GTA action courtesy of lovely YouTube users? ...

The Best Videogame Stories Ever (Feature)

Apr 17, 2008

Whoever said videogames have no cultural value needs a shot in the mouth - or they need to sit down with The Longest Journey, Metal Gear Solid or any of the other games on our list of Best Videogame Stories EVER. A good story isn’t necessary for a good game (Halo, Super Mario Galaxy or Tetris, anyone?) but that’s what makes the games on our list just that much more important. These are good games with amazing stories of epic ...

GamesRadar's Treasure Hunt (News)

Apr 16, 2008

How do you fancy scooping a Sony Bravia XBR KDL-40XBR4 40" LCD TV, worth around $2,000, an Xbox 360, a PS3 plus a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV for both platforms all in one massive prize?

As part of our ongoing celebration of all things GTA, GamesRadar has chummed up with the makers of the game Rockstar, to offer this killer, one-off haul.

And the best part is the key to the loot is in front of you right now, it’s ...

What type of GTA player are you? (Feature)

Apr 15, 2008

Anticipating the approach of the latest Grand Theft Auto isn’t the same as yearning for a new Halo or Resident Evil. Most games make you anticipate the experience that the designers dole out to you in a prescribed way, whereas with GTA, you anticipate all the ways in which you will create experiences of your own design. Even if the main draw for some players is the story - and the marketing for GTAIV aims to show this will be the ...

These Grand Theft Auto screenshots are fake! (Feature)

Apr 10, 2008

While researching our These Screenshots Are Fake! feature last month, we happened upon some wonderful fake GTA shots. Some we'd seen before, some we hadn't. But impersonating Rockstar's megaseries is so popular that in just a few minutes we'd found a dozen more. So, obviously, there was only one thing to do - dedicate an entire feature to them! ...

10 Most Swearing-est Games (Feature)

Apr 3, 2008

Swear words are used in film, TV and games to glorious effect. But sometimes the sheer quantity of obscenity causes the words to lose their meaning. Ever the cultural explorers here at GR, we’ve compiled a list of the ten swearing-est games we could think of. Then we grabbed footage from the first hour of each, and chopped it down to just the dirty words. Very scientific.

Check it out. But remember: this video is categorically ...

59 levels to play before you die: G - L (Feature)

Mar 21, 2008

Legions of exasperated gamers whined that Kratos' escape from the bowels of Hell - complete with rotating columns of bladey cartilage, platforms of bone and two huge towers of spinning blades - was 'stupid', 'cheap' or 'toohardIwantmymummy!' but we loved it. ...

Gaming's greatest Fatties (Feature)

Feb 22, 2008

Just in time for Black History Month, GamesRadar is proud to present a completely unrelated article about fat people. Chubbies are everywhere these days. Your next door neighbor could be a fatty. More than likely, your mom is one, too. Oh, Snap! ...

Grand Theft Auto Lawsuit Settlement: You Get $35, Lawyers Get "One Million Dollars" (News)

Jan 26, 2008

Gaming Steve writes, "Just in case you forgot in 2007 Rockstar Games proposed a settlement for a class action lawsuit concerning the infamous Hot Coffee modification. As a result any US citizen who was officially 'offended and upset" by the ability to unlock this hidden content can now claim up to $35 in compensation."

As Steve further investigated this class action lawsuit it turns out that the lawyers' representing this suit are standing to get "the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)" for their time and trouble.

Clinton Would Crack Down on Computer-Generated Cartoon Sex (News)

Dec 23, 2007

Via Wired:

"Clinton reveals today that she still sees the [San Andreas] affair as a victory for child safety. She describe her introduction of the doomed Family Entertainment Protection Act as a response to the "illicit" sexual content in San Andreas, and says, as president, she'd support regulation of the gaming industry.

"'When I am President, I will work to protect children from inappropriate video game content.'"

Video games cause rising youth violence, reports top cop (News)

Nov 27, 2007

Violent Xbox video games are being fingered by a top police officer in New Zealand as a possible cause of rising violence among young people.

Superintendent Bill Harrison, national manager of police youth services, says at a youth offending conference in Wellington on November 27 that youth violence rates have jumped in the past two or three years throughout the Western world, coinciding with the rise of new products such as the Xbox. Harrison provides statistics and arguments.

However, Auckland University psychologist Dr Ian Lambie said violent video games had no effect on most people.

[ by Simon Collins for The New Zealand Herald on November 28, 2007 ]

Take 2 spills at least $1.025 million over 'Hot Coffee' settlement (News)

Nov 8, 2007

The infamous Hot Coffee Modification from GTA: San Andreas is going to cost Rockstar's parent company at least $1.025 million in settlement benefits.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - Homebrew homicide 10-24-07 (Video)

Oct 24, 2007

A hell of a lot of fun, even when the cops are chasing you around town.

GTA a benchmark for design values (News)

Oct 21, 2007

An exhibition entitled "Love & Money: The Best Of British Design Now" is touring Asian countries currently. The synopsis is below:

"...Love & Money, organised jointly by the British Council and UK Trade & Investment, features twenty projects and designers that balance business ambition and commercial success with the invention and experimentation for which Britain's creative industries are internationally renowned."

Within the exhibition is a space dedicated to Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto Series.

GTA is considered to be a benchmark for modern design values. This is a very positive nod towards gaming and in particular one with such a criticized content.

Had this N4G member not have stumbled upon this showcase, it may well have slipped silently into the night. Here is a link to the offical exhibition page

http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-design-love-and-money.htm

Enjoy

Grand Theft Anime - bizarre (News)

Sep 25, 2007

Sept 25, 2007 While certain other Grand Theft Auto mods may have caused Rockstar a degree of aggravation in the last few years, you can't help but admire the talent that's gone into this anime-themed job. Not only have the modders managed to change the lead character into a saucer-eyed, gun-toting schoolgirl, there's robots! Suddenly the oft-rumoured GTA Tokyo seems like a brilliant ...

GTA: a history of cheats (Feature)

Aug 24, 2007

Grand Theft Auto is best known as being the father of sandbox games, and one of the most controversial games ever made (that got released). But among fans, its possibly known just as well for its cheats – its brilliantly massive selection of cheats. With GTA IV on the horizon, weve dug our hands deep into our cheats crypt and unearthed over 200 old, but not tired, cheats from GTA III onward. Grand Theft Auto III 22 cheats in GTAs prolific legacy of button pressing were packed into GTA ...

Museum Riot - Gamers take over art theater 08-16-07 (Video)

Aug 16, 2007

A hell of a lot of fun, even when the cops are chasing you around town.

Manhunt nearly caused a "mutiny" at Rockstar (News)

Jul 26, 2007

We know that plenty of people think gore-fest Manhunt has no place in the happy world of videogames, but former Rockstar employee Jeff Williams has revealed on his blog that the controversial game also caused a swell of disquiet at the company's New York HQ. "It may sound surprising, but there was almost a mutiny at the company over that game. It was Rockstar North's pet project - most of us at Rockstar Games wanted no part of it. We'd already weathered plenty of controversy over GTA3 and Vice ...

Grand Theft Piñata: Filled with Guns! (Cheatplanet)

Jun 27, 2007

Naughty mash-up dubs San Andreas dialogue into Viva Piñata cartoon

Grand Theft Pinata - Filled with guns! 06-27-07 (Video)

Jun 27, 2007

A hell of a lot of fun, even when the cops are chasing you around town.

Grand Theft Auto: Loose ends (Feature)

May 1, 2007

With Grand Theft Auto IV taking a new, more realistic direction in a radically different vision of Liberty City, it seems more and more as though the series - like its new protagonist, Niko Bellic - is angling for a fresh start. The cartoonish mayhem of previous GTAs seems out of place in this bleak new vision of Liberty, and according to our UK counterparts, virtually no familiar faces will appear in GTA IV. But that doesn't necessarily mean we've seen the last of them. Rockstar's left a lot ...

Battle of the GTAs (Feature)

Mar 28, 2007

Ever since the release of 2001's groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto III, there've been seemingly hundreds of games that shamelessly rip off its free-roaming, carjacking open-world formula. But as hard as the pretenders try, there's still only one ...

Battle of the GTA clones (Feature)

Mar 27, 2007

The funny thing about inventing a genre of videogames is that, until it becomes completely played out, every game that emulates your formula is going to be attached to your name. Games that feature a wide-open, freely explorable world, for example, will have a hard time avoiding the label of "Grand Theft Auto clone," especially if their worlds are littered with vehicles to steal and drive. In the six years since Grand Theft Auto III, a slew of games have tried to become "the next GTA," but so ...

The Top 7... things Grand Theft Auto IV needs (Feature)

Mar 26, 2007

The official trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV is only a few days away as of this writing, and publisher Rockstar has promised that it won't just be some infuriatingly quick teaser. Instead, it'll offer up the first substantial look into what the game is all about, and internet speculation over what that might be has kicked the rumor mill into high gear. We've got our own theories on what the game might be like, ranging from a futuristic dystopia with flying cars to a college-crime romp ...

The Video Zone (Feature)

Mar 20, 2007

The Internet is a scary place. Yeah, we know that sounds a little weird coming from the online publication, but when you think about all the content that people like you are putting up; pictures of cats posed in a hilarious fashion, “jackass” videos where guys set their friends on fire and oh so much porn, it can be a little much at times. Oh, did we say scary? We meant really awesome. Where else would we see so much deprived video content for free? Basic cables got nothing compared ...

GTA can make you a better person (Feature)

Mar 7, 2007

Grand Theft Auto. A game series synonymous with death, drugs, carjacking, prostitution, sleaze, ultraviolence, sex and controversy. The tabloids would have you believe that simply playing the game will turn you into some kind of sick, perverted monster... who can barely swim. We say: look again. There are many reasons why GTA can not only be harmless (when played by responsible adults as the Mature rating implies, we will say that), but can even help you become a better person. Don't believe ...

The Top 7... You love 'em, we hate 'em (Feature)

Mar 2, 2007

These games are classics. They're beloved by millions. The problem? Well, they suck. Don't believe us? Keep reading. Yeah, some had their defenders - even on our staff. But a convincing argument can be made about why each game just doesn't cut it. And that's just what we'll do. Ready? Line 'em up and we'll knock 'em down... Final Fantasy VIII Hated by: Nintendo Editor Brett Elston The entire catalogue of Final Fantasy games is untouchable. We get that. They're all special and unique in their ...

GTA is good for your brain (News)

Feb 7, 2007

At last. Real scientific evidence that GTA is good for brains: according to the scientific lab boffins at FKF Applied Research and the UCLA Ahmanson Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, squishy skull-encased sponges simply love GTA. Or, at least, they dig this spoof ad for Coca Cola. In an experiment to record the effectiveness of adverts during the recent Super Bowl, it was discovered that the amusing GTA -inspired ad was one of the "best testing" and "fired the region of consumers' brains ...

You don't know GTA (Feature)

Feb 5, 2007

In the last two years, youve done it all in San Andreas. Dove out of planes, ran the marathon and shot Bigfoot. Wait… you didnt find Bigfoot? No, were only kidding. But then again, there may be a lot of things you dont know about one of the greatest and largest games for the PS2. Enjoy. The top 5 facts about San Andreas 1) It followed on from films 1990s gang flick Menace II Society was an influence - several stars voice GTA, including Big Smoke and Cesar. 2) It made ...

GTA San Andreas Bitch Slaps Japan Sales Charts (News)

Feb 2, 2007

Who said the Japanese don't like Western games? The Capcom published Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas made its Japanese debut last week, moving a healthy 227,261 copies, twice that of local hero Dragon Quest Monsters Joker numbers. Not bad.

"I need that shit you drive" (Feature)

Feb 1, 2007

Official ‘next-gen GTA may be bearing down on us like a ton of psychos, but you know what? San Andreas was damn near ‘next gen in 2005. Its still so far ahead of the competition its not even funny. Except San Andreas is often funny too. Quite how Rockstar fitted it on the disc, let alone created it all before the universe ended, is beyond us. Each of the 90s era cities of Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas is huge – LS alone is probably the size of Vice City – but ...

Zombies in San Andreas! (Feature)

Jan 29, 2007

Psst. Wanna hear a secret? You havent seen everything on the PlayStation 2. We know, we know. You used to rock Vice City and own Silent Hill. But tell us, sir. Did you find everything? Are you one of those masochistic collectors who loves to explore every nook and cranny in a game before setting it aside? If so, my hats off to you, young lad. If not, go away kid, you bother us. Everyone else, sit down and check out some of these hidden goodies from the PlayStation 2s golden years. Oh, the ...

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Review)

Jan 3, 2007

Given the endlessly bad press it receives, you'd almost think Grand Theft Auto was the ruin of Western civilization. But while its hooker-beating and indiscriminate violence come up every time some culture critic wants to rag on digital entertainment, gamers have their own reasons for liking it. Reasons like limitless freedom, unfettered exploration and infinite possibilities for running over old ladies at high speeds. And with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, you'll get more of that stuff than ...

Rockstar Games to release Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy for PlayStation 2 (News)

Nov 12, 2006

Rockstar Games announces that it plans to release Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas together as the original trilogy for the PlayStation 2 system. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy will ship to retail stores in North America on December 4, 2006 with a retail price of $39.99.

Gaming supermen (Feature)

Aug 7, 2006

What the hell did people do all day before the internet? In just the past year, user-generated sites like YouTube have become everyday destinations for virtually anything that's ever been recorded, broadcasted or even conceived of - and that includes gaming. A recent thread over on the Penny Arcade forums called out the best you'll-never-pull-this-off video game moments captured on video, and wouldn't you know it, YouTube pretty much as them all. Prepare to feel worthless. We perused the list ...

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Screenshots)

Feb 28, 2006

GTA San Andreas pulled from shelves (News)

Jul 21, 2005

A number of US retailers are refusing to sell after another twist in the controversial game's tale, resulting in the American game rating body upgrading the title to 'Adults Only' and developer Rockstar promising to start work on a new version. These dramatic moves come as a response to the discovery of a cheat mode in both the PS2 and PC versions that reveals explicit scenes of CJ making the beast with two polygonal backs - the so called 'Hot Coffee' modification. Rockstar has been keen to ...

GTA sits tight at no.1 (News)

Jun 22, 2005

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 18 June1 (1) Grand Theft Auto San Andreas(PS2, Xbox, PC)2 (NE) Medal of Honor European Assault(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube)3 (NE) Juiced(PS2, Xbox, PC)4 (2) Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith(PS2, Xbox, PC, GBA, DS)5 (3) Lego Star Wars(PS2, Xbox, PC, GBA)6 (NE) Batman Begins(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, GBA)7 (4) Area 51(PS2, Xbox)8 (6) Pro Evolution Soccer 4(PS2, Xbox)9 (5) Championship Manager 5(PS2, Xbox, PC)10 (7) FIFA ...

GTA hits no.1 again (News)

Jun 15, 2005

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 11 June1 (RE) Grand Theft Auto San Andreas(PS2, Xbox, PC)2 (1) Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith(PS2, Xbox, PC, GBA, DS)3 (2) Lego Star Wars(PS2, Xbox, PC, GBA)4 (3) Area 51(PS2, Xbox)5 (4) Championship Manager 5(PS2, Xbox, PC)6 (6) Pro Evolution Soccer 4(PS2, Xbox)7 (5) FIFA Street(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube)8 (9) Splinter Cell Chaos Theory(PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)9 (19) Cold Winter(PS2)10 (15) Guild Wars(PC)11 ...

Is GTA off to Japan or Columbia? (News)

Feb 28, 2005

While most of the world are still ploughing their way through the trail of the dead in , GTA's developers Rockstar are already planning their next headlong plunge into the immoral world of mouthy mobsters. Their latest move has been to send a group of lawyers out to sign up a variety of potential game names, while at the same time lazily reaching out a paw to give the rumour mill a quick spin. We have uncovered five potential titles for their next GTA game, with each one having been ...

Grand Theft Aspirations (Feature)

Feb 18, 2005

Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery or the lowest form of light-fingered skulduggery? Well, we're not entirely sure but, after Konami's announcement, last week, of , which reeks of a GTA rip-off, and today's release of Activision's GTA-in-a-war-zone, , we thought it was a particularly relevant point to ponder.Of course, publishers can hardly be blamed for wanting to muscle in on Rockstar's highly lucrative turf. But, in the long run, is tailgating the GTA juggernaut ultimately a ...

Mobs beats mods! (News)

Nov 23, 2004

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 20 November1 (2) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)2 (NE) Need For Speed: Underground 2(PS2, Xbox, PC, Gamecube)3 (NE) Half-Life 2(PC)4 (2) Halo 2(Xbox)5 (3) WWE Smackdown vs Raw (PS2)6 (4) FIFA 2005 (PS2, Xbox, GBA, Gamecube, PC)7 (6) The Getaway: Black Monday (PS2)8 (7) Pro Evolution Soccer 4(PS2)9 (10) The Urbz: Sims In The City (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, GBA)10 (5) Football Manager 2005 (PC)11 (14) The ...

GTA San Andreas continues to amaze (News)

Nov 9, 2004

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 6 November1 (1) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)2 (2) FIFA 2005 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)3 (NE) Football Manager 2005 (PC)4 (3) Pro Evolution Soccer 4 (PS2)5 (6) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)6 (5) Burnout 3: Takedown (PS2, Xbox)7 (4) Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)8 (10) Shark Tale (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)9 (9) The Sims 2 (PC)10 (11) Sonic Heroes (PS2, ...

GTA: San Andreas breaks all known records (News)

Nov 3, 2004

Official ELSPA Entertainment Top 20 Software Chart (all prices) - week ending 30 October1 (NE) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)2 (1) FIFA 2005 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)3 (2) Pro Evolution Soccer 4 (PS2)4 (3) Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, GBA)5 (6) Burnout 3: Takedown (PS2, Xbox)6 (RE) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC)7 (7) LMA Manager 2005 (PS2, Xbox, PC)8 (4) Star Wars: Battlefront (PS2, Xbox, PC)9 (5) The Sims 2 (PC)10 (8) Shark Tale (PS2, ...

GTA San Andreas: We've played it! (Feature)

Oct 26, 2004

For the first UK online review of GTA San Andreas, check out gamesradar.com from first thing Friday morning (29 October): we've teamed up with PSM2 magazine to bring you the only online review you can trust!With under three (three!) days to go until Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is released in the UK, we've got hold of an early copy of the game and have had chance to play through about the first 60 minutes of it. No massive revelations as yet. But it's the new GTA. What more could you ask for? ...

GTA: San Andreas stolen! (News)

Oct 21, 2004

We could say that those who live by the jemmy, crowbar and balaclava die by the jemmy, crowbar and balaclava. But we won't because even Rockstar, those riders of the gaming crime wave, have become the latest victims of pilfering software pirates. Just as with Halo 2 and Half-Life 2 before, some deviant sort has pilfered the game and set it up for download on various websites along with copies of the manual and even parts of the packaging. No-one seems sure of the origin of the leak but today ...

GTA: San Andreas - more new shots (News)

Oct 21, 2004

The bell rings, food arrives. The phone rings, San Andreas shots arrive. Yep, it's a fine line between life as one of Pavlov's pups and the pet of the Rockstar press office but it's not a bad existence as we've managed to get our paws on two revealing new shots of the brand new GTA. In today's dripping instalment of this divine water torture, the latest leaks reveal yet more of the countryside, complete with impressively rocky scenery and a highly stealable looking plane. As for the second ...

GTA San Andreas: Tribes go to war (News)

Oct 19, 2004

The steady drip, drip, drip of GTA San Andreas info continues as Rockstar squeeze out yet more fact-droplets from their ghetto superstar. This time, their latest spurt reveals not only which mobs populate Los Santos but also what CJ will need to do to fit in. Out have gone the cartoon Cosa Nostra and the Hare Krishna bumper-fodder of the old games to be replaced by as serious selection of original gangsters, based on the west coast mobsters of the '90s. So now rolling with a crew means more ...

GTA: San Andreas - radio stations unveiled (News)

Oct 18, 2004

Grand Theft Auto's in-car radio sounds came of age in Grand Theft Auto 3 and Rockstar have raised the ante again in GTA: San Andreas. Eleven radio stations will feature 20 different DJs and carry a track listing three times greater than the one that graced GTA 3. But the real juice is in the enhancements...Variety is key in GTA radio world, allowing players to choose music that stirs their aural imagination, and the system has received a major overhaul by Rockstar's audio team. Whereas previous ...

Grand Theft Auto heads to Las Venturas (News)

Oct 15, 2004

Rockstar have released another pair of shots of GTA: San Andreas - and this time they're of the game's Las Vegas-alike third city Las Venturas. Er, as evidenced by the screenshot of the massive sign saying 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Venturas'.The other - and only slightly less self-explanatory - screenshot shows an M16-wielding CJ by the oilfields which are located in the desert on the outskirts of the city. For plenty more on San Andreas, take a look at the .Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is ...

GTA San Andreas: Second city exposed (Feature)

Oct 14, 2004

After having seen and the of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in action, we've finally had a chance to take a look at San Fierro. In familiar Rockstar fashion, we were shown a number of missions from San Andreas' second city, replete with live commentary from a Rockstar representative.The first thing that strikes you about the San Franciso-inspired city is just how different it looks and feels to Los Santos, with its hilly streets, bay, plethora of bridges and changeable micro-climate (look out ...

Stop press: GTA San Andreas to feature two-player mode? (News)

Oct 11, 2004

Unconfirmed rumours currently doing the interweb rounds strongly suggest that GTA: San Andreas will feature a - the first time a PS2 game in the GTA series has offered multiplayer support. Whether such a mode would be based around vs or (as seems more likely) cooperative gameplay remains to be seen, as does whether it would be split-screen, feature two playable characters on a single screen or even require two PS2s to be linked up.Rockstar were unavailable for comment at the time of writing ...

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Review)

Oct 6, 2004

The most controversial series in videogame history has spawned an unarguable truth - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the best game on PS2. Fact. If not, one of the best console games - and we've thought long and hard about this - ever, matched only by such epochal titles such as Halo, Super Mario 64 and Final Fantasy VII. In some respects, Rockstar's achievement is all the more daunting because San Andreas delivers relentless, sublimely balanced and uniquely varied gameplay for at least 50 ...

GTA San Andreas country bumpkins revealed (Feature)

Sep 24, 2004

We've had yet another chance to visit Rockstar to see Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in action - and this time around we grabbed an eyeful of the game's rural locales.As previously mentioned, between the game's three major cities are miles of desert and countryside. While we were initially concerned that they would be little more than empty dirtscapes, they're as much a living, breathing part of San Andreas as the traditional urban areas are.The demo kicked off with CJ tearing around in a ...

GTA San Andreas confirmed for PC in 2005 (News)

Sep 10, 2004

Rockstar have today confirmed that a PC version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will be released between May and July 2005. No further details on the game have been announced although it's expected that it will be a straight port of the PS2 version.While the PC incarnation of GTA 3 was very unstable, the port of Vice City was much improved, with far better visuals and a much higher resolution, so we have high hopes for the PC version of San Andreas. In other San Andreas news, the release of ...

GTA goes to the country! (Feature)

Sep 7, 2004

The latest screenshots of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have taken a distinct turn for The Wurzels, with a whole farm-full of countryside action, including combine harvesters, quads, sit-on lawnmowers and lumberjack shirt-wearing yokels. It's like a virtual home from home.While the main action in San Andreas takes place in the game's three cities of Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturra, between those urban sprawls are large countryside areas packed with their own peculiar take on GTA. We're ...

New San Andreas character revealed? (News)

Aug 27, 2004

Rockstar Games have today launched a pair of spoof websites for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. is a parody of a cult based around 12 tenets, including "We all come from the same tree - FACT!" and, our personal favourite, "Dinosaurs are a lie that people believe because they are weak - FACT!"However, it's Rockstar's - homepage for Madchester pioneer Maccer - that's of more interest. The Maccer character is a thinly disguised caricature of Shaun Ryder who, you may remember, was heavily rumoured ...

Rockstar in cheeky GTA punnery (News)

Aug 25, 2004

You may remember that we recently ran the . What you probably didn't notice, though, was one of Rockstar's trademark puns making a fleeting appearance as a plane flies over the Vinewood sign towards Los Santos. As you can see by the exclusive screenshot above (click on it for a larger version), the crazy japesters have named the game's airline 'Juank Air'. Surely Rockstar North have got better things to be doing? Honestly, games developers, eh?Meanwhile, in slightly more serious San Andreas ...

GTA: San Andreas - retail therapy (News)

Aug 17, 2004

The latest shots of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas prove once and for all that when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. And the choices you make will affect gameplay as you either gain respect or get laughed out of the hood for sporting the wrong trainers. We've all been there.First up, get your barnet sorted. He's sporting cornrows in the shot to the right but you can opt to give CJ a bald pate, afro or something called a jheri curl, amongst others. No mention of a mullet though, but ...

Exclusive! GTA San Andreas stealth mode revealed (News)

Aug 16, 2004

These brand new screenshots of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - which are exclusive to gamesradar.com - demonstrate the ability in the game to burgle houses and even terrorise unfortunate home-owners as part of the first side missions that Rockstar have announced for the game.There's plenty for main character CJ to spend his money on (from haircuts and burgers to properties and businesses) and, while you sometimes earn cash by successfully completing missions, not all tasks are the kind of ...

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Feature)

Aug 13, 2004

We've finally had a chance to see Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in action and, predictably, it's already looking great. But, based purely on the handful of Los Santos missions that we've been privy to, there's nothing yet that marks it out as being leagues ahead of what was on offer in its (admittedly fantastic) predecessor Vice City. While the state of San Andreas - which is loosely based on California and parts of Nevada - consists of three major cities, a smattering of rural conurbations, ...

GTA: San Andreas - CJ goes for a swim (News)

Aug 11, 2004

We've done eating, going to the gym, BMX tricks and, er, road signs. Now the latest shots of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas give us a look at your character's new-found swimming abilities. While earlier GTAs gave you the option to make use of boats, this is the first time in the series that you can actually get your feet wet.Treading water is the 'default' setting when you hit the water and, you'll be relieved to learn, protagonist CJ automatically stays afloat in even the roughest waters. What ...

GTA: San Andreas - Los Santos exposed (News)

Aug 10, 2004

Rockstar have today released yet more new screenshots of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and this time they give us a good look at Los Santos, which is inspired by Los Angeles and one of three cities in the game.Los Santos is actually the home town of the game's main character CJ, who grew up in a poor neighbourhood called The Grove where, after he returns from Liberty City, he meets up with his old gang the Orange Grove Families. This is where the game begins, with CJ battling to regain ...