GTA 6 Standard vs Ultimate Edition: which one should you buy?

For Jason and Lucia’s story, the Standard Edition is enough. The Ultimate Edition adds vehicles, weapons, outfits, businesses and more. At the announced US prices the gap is $20: $79.99 against $99.99. If you start with Standard, you can buy the Ultimate Edition Upgrade later.

Both editions launch the same day, and the pre-order bonus and pre-loading work the same way for either. Before paying, compare both listings in the store your account uses.

What does the Ultimate Edition add?

Rockstar Support lists two editions. Standard includes the game. Ultimate includes the game and the Ultimate Edition Upgrade, a set of extra items and activities. Here is how they compare:

• The game and its full story: both editions
• Ultimate Edition Upgrade: included in Ultimate; Standard owners can buy it separately
• Upgrade vehicles, outfits, weapons and businesses: Ultimate, or Standard plus the Upgrade
• Vintage Vice City Pack: both editions, if bought before November 20
• A month of GTA+ with a digital pre-order: both editions, with its own deadlines

Among the extras Rockstar names the ’95 Grotti Cheetah, weapon variants, clothing, mod shops and other businesses, the PTT YOUNGIN$ Compound Raid and the Classic Car Collection. The full list is long, so if one item matters to you, check its name in Rockstar’s list right before you buy. Our editions guide goes through it item by item.

The GTA+ month needs to be activated, and on PlayStation the subscription then renews monthly at the regular price until you cancel, as the PlayStation page warns. If you don’t want GTA+, check how to cancel before you redeem it.

What the extra $20 buys

The extra money buys the Upgrade content and nothing else. The story and release date are the same, and nothing in the published Ultimate contents mentions a different graphics mode or 60 fps. If you mostly care about Vice City, Jason and Lucia, think about whether you would actually use the extra cars and businesses.

If only one or two names on that long list catch your eye, the Upgrade can wait until you have played the base game.

Can you upgrade from Standard to Ultimate later?

Yes. Standard owners can buy the Ultimate Edition Upgrade at any time in the PlayStation Store or the Microsoft Store; in the US Xbox Store it is listed at $20. A physical Ultimate Edition doesn’t exist: the box contains a download code for the Standard Edition, not a disc, and you can add the Upgrade once that code is redeemed.

Waiting gives you time to decide, but the final cost depends on the Upgrade price in your store and any sale. Compare two totals in the same region: Ultimate now, or Standard plus the Upgrade.

Which edition fits you?

• You want the story and the world: Standard, since the full game is already in it
• You aren’t sure about the extras: Standard, and decide on the Upgrade later
• You definitely want the listed cars, businesses and items: Ultimate, which includes them from the start
• You are buying a box: physical Standard, then the Upgrade digitally if you want it

Is the Ultimate Edition worth it? Yes, if the Upgrade content is worth $20 to you. If you are unsure, take Standard: the Upgrade will still be there once you know how the extras fit into the game.

Before you pay

Open the listing in the store your account belongs to and check the currency, both editions, the basket and the bonus deadline. PlayStation codes only work in their own region, while Xbox codes are not region-locked, and Rockstar recommends buying from a seller in the same country as your account. Don’t buy an “Ultimate key” on the strength of the listing title alone: check whether it is the full game, only the Upgrade or access to someone else’s account.