GTA 6 Standard Edition vs Ultimate Edition: Which version is the best deal?

Grand Theft Auto VI is almost here, so it’s time to make your final preparations. Look at it extended gameplay sequences? Check. Revisit the nostalgia of Vice city? Check. Choose which one console will you use to play? Check. All that remains is to pre-orderRIGHT? In fact, there remains a choice to make because GTA 6 is available in two versions: the Standard edition and the Ultimate edition. But which one should you buy? Let us help you make the decision.

GTA 6 Standard Edition vs Ultimate Edition: price

The two editions of GTA6 launch on November 19 for the same platforms (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S). The most obvious difference is the price. The Standard Edition costs $80, which is already higher than the usual price even for a modern blockbuster video game. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Edition costs $100, which isn’t uncommon for a deluxe version of the game, but still potentially a tough pill to swallow. If you have already purchased the Standard edition, you can also pay to upgrade to the Ultimate edition.

GTA 6 Standard Edition vs Ultimate Edition: content

Both editions promise a version of GTA 6 that should feel very complete. But what do you get with the Ultimate Edition to make the premium upgrade worth it? In other words, what is missing from the Standard Edition?

GTA 6 Ultimate Edition includes a variety of additional weapons, cosmetics and cars. If you want to drive a 1995 Grotti Cheetah while getting into gunfights with Hawk & Little Morgan revolvers, this is the only way. This version also unlocks new storefronts to access exclusive content, like salons and tattoo parlors to further customize your character, or shops to modify your weapons. “The Ultimate Edition bonuses are spread across every aspect of Jason and Lucia’s story, with new elements discovered behind each chapter.” Rockstar says.

Pre-order bonuses are also available on both versions. Buy GTA 6 before November 20 and you’ll unlock additional retro weapons, outfits and vehicles inspired by the 1980s version of Vice City. You also get one month of GTA+, Rockstar’s subscription to Grand Theft Auto Online, valued at $8.

We had a GTA 6 PC before we had GTA 6

GTA 6 Standard Edition vs Ultimate Edition: value

It’s hard to look at these two versions and not think that the one with more features is better and more complete. “This is the culmination of this really obnoxious trend where studios develop a game and then cut it up to sell it to you later as DLC,” said my colleague Gabe Zamora, expressing frustration with the split. “In this case, they are literally launching two versions of the game: one has all the customizations and features available at launch, and the cheaper version discounts that to package the product at a “discounted price.” This gives Rockstar a way to charge $100 for a game without looking like the bad guys.

Recommended by our editors

So while it seems a bit crummy, if you’re already paying $80 for a game, there’s an argument that you might as well go for the full $100 version just to sample everything that’s on offer. However, when I actually look at the Ultimate perks, they appear to be extra material, not core aspects of the game itself. It’s nice to have new styles and weapons, but it’s not like the standard edition doesn’t already have plenty of them.

GTA 6 Standard Edition vs Ultimate Edition: Which Should You Choose?

Our recommendation? If you’re a true die-hard and plan to immerse yourself in GTA 6 for weeks and months to come, you’ll easily get your money’s worth with the Ultimate Edition. But if you’re less sure, if you’re just playing the game because you’re curious about the hype, stick with Standard at launch and upgrade later if you’re still hungry for more.

About our expert

Gn tech