GTA San Andreas parents guide: Is it safe for children?
If you have kids who want to play Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, then this GTA San Andreas parents guide will help you make that decision. You may remember that the 2004 video game received heavy backlash and criticism due to some mistakes made by Rockstar Games. However, those mistakes were promptly fixed by the American gaming studio, making the game acceptable for everyone again. Still, it is one of the most controversial video games in entertainment history.
This GTA San Andreas parents guide will discuss some parameters raised by industry experts such as the ESRB. Parents are advised to go through the parameters carefully as they will help them determine whether their kids should play the game.
Note: Some parts of this GTA San Andreas parents guide are subjective and only reflect the writer’s opinions.
GTA San Andreas parents guide: Understanding the official rating of the game
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was rated M by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Here M means for mature audience, aged 17 and above. If your kids belong to this category of players, then you can allow them to play without any worries.
However, you must know what is ESRB and where it operates. The Entertainment Software Rating Board is an organization that reviews video game natures for the audiences of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The official website of ESRB describes itself as follows:
“We are the non-profit, self-regulatory body for the video game industry. Established in 1994, our primary responsibility is to help consumers—especially parents—make informed choices about the games their families play.”
The board has rated many other games in the Grand Theft Auto series and the GTA San Andreas parents guide will discuss the parameters raised in its rating. They are as follows:
- Blood and gore
- Intense violence
- Strong language
- Strong sexual content
- Use of drugs
The influence of blood and gore in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
When compared to the modern HD Universe Grand Theft Auto games, San Andreas has more blood and gory scenes. It was one of the most ambitious projects of Rockstar Games from that era, and the studio made it as engaging as possible. However, since the game does not have high-resolution textures, the bloody scenes look cartoonish and borderline funny.
If you have read the GTA 5 parents guide, then you would remember that one of the most concerning things in that game is the level of detail in disturbing scenes. However, GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should ease their concerns as kids cannot draw many details from low-resolution crime scenes filled with polygons.
You can indeed decapitate people or blow their heads off in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. But, the actions look funny rather than horrifying. Moreover, law enforcement is always there to stop you from going on a crime spree.
The influence of violence in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
There is no second thought that Grand Theft Auto games will feel bland without violence and crime. The name of the series is itself based on stealing cars. Therefore, violence is a very common and accepted phenomenon in this context. The entire game has many violent scenes and acts that unfold the narrative. However, GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should not get worried as the in-game violent acts do not promote real-life violence.
Rockstar Games allows players to steal various vehicles, rob houses, fire weapons, kill people, learn various fighting skills, take part in gang warfare, and do many other things. However, these things are important for the story to progress. As a matter of fact, these acts are what made Grand Theft Auto San Andreas so iconic in the video gaming industry.
Many missions in the game require you to do dangerous and violent acts such as drive-by shootings, jumping from one plane to another mid-air, fighting with the military, etc. However, as mentioned before in the GTA San Andreas parents guide, the low resolution and animation make these scenes both comical and intriguing at the same time.
The influence of strong language in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is a gangster-centric game and the use of strong language is very common among gangsters. Therefore, parents may have to think considerably about this aspect as the use of the N-word and the F-bomb is very prominent in the game. Protagonist Carl “CJ” Johnson, as well as the other NPCs, use strong language frequently to express their feelings.
However, GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should note that Rockstar Games comically used strong language. The dialogs where the characters use profanity are usually to scold others or to troll them. Therefore, if your kids are mature enough, you should not be worried about it.
The influence of strong sexual content in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Rockstar Games has a notorious history with the inclusion of sexual content in Grand Theft Auto games, and San Andreas was the most problematic of all. GTA San Andreas parents guide readers may remember the “Hot Coffee Mod controversy” that dragged the American gaming studio into hot waters. While it is no longer available in the game, there are still some things that may not be appropriate for young kids.
If you have read the GTA San Andreas girlfriends guide, you would know that Carl “CJ” Johnson can date various girls in the game. While the actual dates are not problematic at all, the protagonist gets to visit the partners’ house for some “quality time” afterward. Rockstar Games did not shy away from this thing and even added various moaning sound effects that players can hear from outside the house.
Moreover, the protagonist can have int*rcourse with pr*stitutes and get private dances at the strip clubs. Players can also find crude humor elements such as sexually suggestive billboards, d*ldos inside certain police stations, bikini-clad ladies near the beaches walking too passionately, and many other things.
But, GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should note that most of these things can be easily avoided if you simply focus on the main storyline. Rockstar Games is known for its witty humor and things like this are what make San Andreas popular even in 2024.
The use of drugs in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
While the San Andreas gameplay shows the use of drugs and alcohol, it is not as problematic as other games in the Grand Theft Auto series. As a matter of fact, Rockstar Games portrayed the protagonist Carl “CJ” Johnson as a sober man who actively denies any harmful drugs.
Although CJ is not a saint person per se, his dissent towards drugs and alcohol makes him somewhat better than other characters in the game. GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should note that Rockstar Games portrayed the drug addicts and alcoholics in the game as degenerates of society.
Police Officer Frank Tenpenny, Ryder, Big Smoke, etc. can be frequently seen smoking joints and marijuana. Later, they become antagonists in the story who betray and use Carl “CJ” Johnson for their personal gains. Therefore, the use of drugs should not be a very concerning factor for the GTA San Andreas parents guide readers.
Is Grand Theft Auto San Andreas safe for children?
Giving a straightforward and definitive answer to this question is very difficult as the game has many incredible things to offer and yet has a few objectionable elements. Therefore, the GTA San Andreas parents guide advises you to stick to the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s verdict and only allow kids aged 17 and above to play the game.
However, the GTA San Andreas parents guide suggests you accompany anyone nearing that age, during the gameplay. Anyone younger than that should not be allowed to play the game until they are of a suitable age or have proper understanding.
While the Entertainment Software Rating Board suggests the game for players 17 and above; if you are from the European region, the Pan-European Game Information system advises only adult gamers to the game. PEGI rated the game as 18, which means underage gamers should not play Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.
Global ratings of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
It goes without saying that Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is a global icon and therefore, many countries have rated the game differently. If you live outside of the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the European region, the GTA San Andreas parents guide advises you to refer to your country’s official rating for the game (if available). The following are some of the global ratings for the game as per IMDb:
- Australia: R18+
- Brazil: 18
- France: 18
- Germany: 16 (censored)
- Japan: Z (CERO)
- Russia: 18+
- South Korea: 19
GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should also note that both the Entertainment Software Rating Board and the Pan-European Game Information system gave San Andreas Definitive Edition the same rating as the original version. While the ESRB rated the remastered version as M (age 17 and above), PEGI labeled it as 18.
A brief overview of what Rockstar Games have to offer in Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
As mentioned before in the GTA San Andreas parents guide, the 2004 title was one of the major projects for Rockstar Games, and it has many things to offer. Players should note that there are 101 missions in the game, which is more than any other game in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Here is a list and comparison of the number of missions in Grand Theft Auto games (in chronological release order):
- Grand Theft Auto: 90
- Grand Theft Auto London 1969: 43
- Grand Theft Auto London 1961: 8
- Grand Theft Auto 2: 67
- Grand Theft Auto 3: 75
- Grand Theft Auto Vice City: 86
- Grand Theft Auto San Andreas: 100
- Grand Theft Auto Advance: 41
- Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories: 70
- Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories: 59
- Grand Theft Auto 4: 88
- The Lost and Damned DLC: 22
- The Ballad of Gay Tony DLC: 35
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars: 65
- Grand Theft Auto 5: 69
GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should also note that there are a slew of additional side missions and activities in the 2004 title. Rockstar Games divided them into the following five categories:
- Vehicles Sub-Missions: Firefighter, Freight Train Challenge, Paramedic, Pimping Missions, Taxi Driver, and Vigilante.
- GTA San Andreas Schools: Driving, Bike, Boat, and Pilot Schools.
- Side Missions and Activities: Ammu-Nation Shooting Range, Basketball, BMX Challenge, Burglar, Exports & Imports, Gyms, Lowrider Challenge, Unique Stunt Jumps, etc.
- Asset Missions: Courier Missions, Quarry Missions, Trucking Missions, and Valet Parking Missions.
- Time-Sensitive missions: Big Smoke's Cash and Yay Courier.
The story missions and the side activities make the 2004 title one of the most intriguing video games of all time. Many of the characters are also widely popular in pop culture. Therefore, the GTA San Andreas parents guide readers should allow their mature kids to play the game and enjoy themselves as well.
Also read: GTA 4 Parents Guide