GTA: San Andreas – NETFLIX

GTA: San Andreas is back, this time under Netflix’s wing, and it’s mostly the same chaotic, meme-worthy, genre-defining ride, just dressed up for a new generation. You still play as CJ, returning to Los Santos after his mom’s murder to find his old gang in shambles and crooked cops breathing down his neck. The story? Untouched. Still great. Still hits. But now it comes with a fresh coat of paint and some modern touches that try to make it feel less 2004.

Visually, this version holds up surprisingly well. Lighting, textures, and draw distance all got upgrades. Playing on a tablet looks solid. On a phone? Acceptable, but obviously cramped. The world of San Andreas is massive, and despite some jagged edges, it still feels alive, from the clatter of train tracks to the way pedestrians scream when you accidentally “borrow” a car.

Where things fall apart is the controls. You move CJ with a virtual joystick and tap to sprint, punch, or drive, but everything feels just a little off. Driving is especially rough. You can pick between analogue, digital, and slider options, but none of them feel great. Digital is the most manageable, but good luck pulling off a clean motorbike chase, or even staying on the bike after turning too hard.

What’s still fun is the RPG layer that San Andreas introduced way back. CJ can bulk up, slim down, eat burgers, date women, get tattoos, and rock questionable haircuts. These customizations are still weirdly charming and help you connect to CJ as more than just another GTA protagonist.

And yes, the cheat codes are back, and Netflix didn’t bury them. A quick menu tap lets you type in classics like “INEEDSOMEHELP” or go nuts with floating boats and pink cars. It’s ridiculous and fun, just like it always was.

But in the end, it’s the controls that hold this mobile port back. Missions are still tight, the writing still lands, and the absurdity is as good as ever, but you’ll need a fair bit of patience (and maybe a controller) to enjoy it fully.

If you’re a fan with a Netflix account, it’s worth revisiting. Just know that Grove Street isn’t as smooth to ride through as it used to be.