Top 25 GTA San Andreas Mods to Revamp Your Gameplay

GTA: San Andreas is a timeless classic that can be played endlessly. It features amusing glitches, a pilot school, and at the time, a vast open world. And then there's that pilot school again… Sorry, childhood trauma, just like the little helicopter in Vice City.

By the way, I broke my dad's new laptop when I was nine years old while trying to complete that mission. Well, that was a fragile child's psyche suffering a lifelong trauma.

Image: Steam

But let's get back to San Andreas, a game that many gamers still play today. So, what's the point of playing the same thing for the thousandth time? The point is that with various mods, you can turn the title into an entirely new project that differs significantly from the old one. We've compiled the 15 best mods for GTA: San Andreas that will undoubtedly enhance the gameplay.

HD Universe GTA Vehicles

Image: gtainside.com

First and foremost, you should focus on the graphics. Honestly, after Vice City, the yellowish visuals of SA didn’t appeal to me much. It seemed kind of dirty. Everything around was dirty: buildings, cars, roads, and so on. Fortunately, modders are now striving to transform this beloved title.

This modification changes the car textures to HD. Finally, the vehicles will look proper, and those luxurious cars will actually look luxurious, not like they were just picked up from the junkyard.

V Graphics

Image: youtube.com/@sparko755

As you can guess from the name, this mod makes the game look more like the fifth installment of the legendary series. You can finally see SA in a new light. It’s like getting eye surgery: the surroundings are no longer blurry but in HD quality.

However, you'll need a more powerful PC for this, as making such an enhancement is quite challenging from a technical perspective. Goodbye, careless yellow tint!

GTA V HUD

Image: gamemodding.com

Let’s not stray too far from GTA V. Since we’ve decided to make a clone of the latest version, we can’t stop at just a pretty picture.Many didn’t like the weapon-switching process in the early Grand Theft Auto games. These players are understandable, although personally, I dislike this process in the fifth installment. Modders have decided to address this issue by adding a convenient switch in the form of the signature wheel.

In addition, the mod adds a smartphone, a mini-map, and health indicators to the game. It’s a bit odd since the story is set in the 90s, but it’s still cool.

Ultimate Graphics Mod 2.0

Image: gtainside.com

If you’re worried that your PC won’t handle the previous graphics mod, we’re happy to present the Ultimate Graphics Mod 2.0, which is less demanding.

It adds a ton of graphical improvements but keeps the shadows, which are the most performance-intensive, at a very low-quality level. Overall, it makes the in-game environment look simply stunning without overloading your video card and processor.

Car-Pack

Image: gamemodding.com

Let’s step away from graphics and move on to other aspects of the game. GTA is not just about killing: it’s also about cars. You can’t imagine GTA without them (especially considering the project’s name).

After so many years, many are probably tired of seeing the same old cars, so it’s time to fix that. This modification adds an entire collection of new cars. From souped-up street racing machines to presentable modern premium-class models, the expansion of the car park is now sorted for many years to come.

Skateboard Mod

Image: libertycity.net

The main character can drive a car, ride a bike, ride a motorcycle, and with this mod, can also skateboard. After all, gangsters can have fun too. By the way, the skateboard can also be a decent weapon.

Moreover, CJ’s movements look smooth, as if it’s not a mod but the authors’ own work. If you want to diversify your movement around the city streets, the skateboard will definitely be a welcome addition to the game.

Teleport

Image: genius.com

This isn't just a mod: it's a real dream come true! If I had a teleport in GTA: SA during my childhood, it would have significantly made life easier for a young gamer. In older versions, you couldn't start a mission from a specific location. You had to return to the mission site, especially if you didn’t have a save point. Sometimes you HAD to drive across an entire city, or even two (and flying with the jetpack was also slow).

This is where the teleport comes in handy. It allows you to travel across the map instantly. Just mark the spot you want to teleport to, and you're there. It saves so much time, but… it does take away some of the charm of GTA.

Tuning Mod

Image: gtaall.com

Highly recommended for all car enthusiasts who love spending time in the workshop, tuning their ride. San Andreas already has special garages where you can upgrade any car, but the options are limited, and Tuning Mod greatly expands them.

Players can add virtually any part to a random vehicle and place it wherever they like, not to mention the unlimited possibilities for choosing paint shades and various accessories. Now, you can spend days and nights just on tuning.

Insanity Vegetation

Image: gtainside.com

I don’t know about you, but the flat vegetation in the game used to annoy me. Seriously, it wasn’t pleasant to look at. However, this can easily be fixed with this modification. Now, the vegetation will look just like it does in modern games.

It’s best to load these textures along with the others I’ve already mentioned to ensure the game looks beautiful in every aspect.

New Weapons Pack

Image: gamemodding.com

We’ve already covered a pack of cars, and now it’s time to move on to something just as important in this game — weaponry. This mod replaces the textures of 44 types of firearms and other weapons with more high-quality HD versions. Even such an update significantly transforms this old project.

Winter Objects Pack

Image: gamemodding.com

I always wanted to immerse myself in a winter atmosphere in GTA: San Andreas, so the mission where the main character ends up in Liberty City delighted me immensely. I made numerous attempts to return to that winter location, not realizing then that it was a game script and such a location doesn’t actually exist in SA. The disappointment and sadness were immeasurable. It was another reason why I gave up on completing that part of the game (the first reason being Pilot School).

It’s as if the modder heard my long-standing wishes and created winter objects. Now, you can find yourself in a snowy gangster wonderland, where corpses lie at every turn, some women are willing to get busy right in an old dirty truck, and where members of rival gangs want to kill you at every step.

Realistic Car Crash Physics

Image: gamemodding.com

There's a lot to say about physics in the old GTA. In SA, the embodiment of chaos is just unreal. Cars seem to go crazy, and true mayhem ensues. It’s fun!

However, many people don’t like such erratic behavior on the roads, and this mod can fix the problem by altering the physics. Collisions and flips during sharp turns and jumps off ramps become particularly spectacular and realistic.

Taxi Pass

Image: grandtheftwiki.com

This mod adds a touch of realism to the game. Now, you don’t always have to be behind the wheel: you can simply call a taxi by pressing the "T" key.

While riding, CJ can give various commands to the taxi driver: increase or decrease speed, ignore traffic lights, change the destination, and more. It’s a simple yet very atmospheric and lifelike mod.

You are here

Image: screensider.com

This mod introduces a new location, immersing players in a dark and eerie world. It’s a true horror experience. The setting is a small town with a network of secret laboratories dedicated to the creation of biological weapons. If you love zombies, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained here.

HRT Pack

Image: moddb.com

This is a comprehensive graphical modification that replaces the vast majority of textures with higher-quality versions. It also adds new objects to the global map and opens access to locations that were previously inaccessible to players.

The interior design of many bars, casinos, cafes, and other places is updated, and new graphical effects are introduced.

Starting the Engine Like in GTA 4

Image: libertycity.net

Are GTA 4 fans present? This mod is specially designed for you, as well as for those who want a bit more realism in their favorite game. After the main character enters a car, he will begin connecting the wiring under the steering wheel. Once these manipulations are complete, the engine will start. A small detail, but capable of enhancing the gameplay.

Animation in Transport as in GTA 4

Image: libertycity.net

Let's not rush to part ways because this mod also brings a bit of realism from the fourth installment into GTA: SA. Now, when braking, CJ will slightly lean towards the steering wheel, just as it happens in real life. The speed of this action will depend on the intensity of the braking.

Police Reaction

Image: libertycity.net

You know how it is in real life: you're walking around as a cool gangster with a weapon, and the cops immediately arrest you because you can't do that in the real world.

With this modification in GTA, the same rules apply. If you walk past a police officer with a weapon, the cop will start looking at you suspiciously, and a handcuff icon will appear. The icon will gradually turn yellow, leading to one of three reactions:

In short, you can no longer roam around carelessly with a flamethrower.

Texture Improvement

Image: libertycity.net

I was always annoyed by the "soap" graphics in San Andreas. Seriously, even in the distant 2000s, I wanted the graphics to be a bit sharper. But back then, I didn't have the Internet, so I couldn't realize my dream thanks to skilled modders. However, I can now, just like other players.

Thanks to the texture improvement pack, some objects will look sharper and more three-dimensional, adding more charm and appeal to the game.

Timecyc Atmosphere Edition

Image: libertycity.net

Perhaps some people felt that the game lacked atmosphere. The 90s were a wonderful time, but the developers, in my opinion, couldn't capture the spirit of that era. However, dedicated fans of the project managed to do so.

Timecyc from the GTA San Andreas: Atmosphere Edition mod creates its own atmosphere close to the time in which the game's events take place.

Street Musicians

Image: libertycity.net

If you look around, you can see other gangsters, cops, women with ancient professions, and vendors selling things that shouldn’t be sold. But does that really happen in real life? Of course, there are also other people you often meet when you leave the house.

This modification adds musicians. Now, observing the life of the virtual world will be more interesting because talented people will entertain you (and for some, these will be additional targets). The character may favor them and give money for living expenses for great music (and then get rid of them and take back the money, haha, classic).

Ship Management

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Remember that cool ship in San Fierro? I don't know about you, but I always wanted to hijack it for a ride. Unfortunately, the developers didn't provide such a wonderful opportunity. But everything changes thanks to a modification that allows you to control this vehicle.

There will be three ships available, all marked on the map within the archive. To board a ship, approach the vessel and press the "Home" button.

GTA SA: Flame's Story

Image: libertycity.net

A global hardcore mod that offers players one hundred missions. This number makes your pulse race, and your finger is already pressing the "Download" button. Now you will play as a character who is drowning in debt and also hungry.

It all started when you crashed into a police car. After that, the character faces misfortunes: gypsies are hunting him, the hero finds himself without money, and the myths of San Andreas suddenly become reality. Sounds tempting. Discover the world of SA in a new way.

Police Reaction to Traffic Violations

Image: libertycity.net

So, a mod for the righteous guys or for malicious hooligans who decided to become righteous guys. Now, for any traffic violation, there will be a fine. Yes, hello, reality. Additionally, cops will chase you. You can pay the fine or try to escape from the police, but in doing so, you'll receive a wanted star.If you love:

Then you'll go bankrupt on fines.

Faster Animation of Sellers

Image: libertycity.net

This is an incredibly cool mod. I always wanted to shove a burger into a seller's mouth (no, somewhere else) because he performs his duties too slowly. Why wasn't this idiot fired for such sluggish work? Weapon sellers weren't any faster than them, so I punished them with a headshot. What annoyed me the most was the main character who stood in the fitting room for a million hours and stared at himself in the mirror.

Fortunately, it wasn't just me who was annoyed but also another person who created such a wonderful mod. Now all these actions will happen much faster.

This was a selection of the 25 best mods for GTA: San Andreas. Of course, there are many more out there. Which mods would you recommend? Share your suggestions in the comments!

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