GTA 6 pre-order editions explained: What do you get with each version?

GTA 6 has revealed its pre-order editions and, despite lots of fancy customisation options, and a relatively predictable price for the Standard Edition, people are understandably upset about how much content (which arguably comprises a portion of GTA 6's identity) is locked behind a paywall.

Obviously, us PC gamers with consoles will have to decide whether we're purchasing, but at least we might be able to grab it on sale on PC. It is worth noting, though, that since this game is purely digital, Rockstar can keep the price high for a long time (and they almost assuredly will). Below, I'll run through the exact difference between the Standard and Ultimate Edition so you can decide which one is worth your while.

What's in the GTA 6 Standard Edition?

• Price: $79.99/£69.99
• At a glance: One month of the GTA+ subscription and the Vintage Vice City pack (only if you pre-order the game), but far fewer customisation options overall.

The cheapest option for buying GTA 6 is still $10 more than every other big-budget game launch right now and it doesn't include a bunch of the cosmetic and customisation features that the Ultimate Edition has. It's a bit dire considering going rags to riches and spending your ill-gotten gains pimping out your house, clothes, and car is a key element of the GTA series.

Both editions include a month of GTA+. The future of GTA Online is currently unclear, but it's practically inevitable that Rockstar will create a GTA 6 Online variant, too.

Details

You do also get the Vintage Vice City pack if you pre-order (that's us PC folks screwed I guess, unless we get it in some future 'complete edition'), which takes a little bit of the sting off. This cosmetic pack contains:

• Outfits and hairstyles: "Dress for excess with Jason’s effortlessly chic linen suit in vintage pastel, complemented by the cut and coif of the decade of decadence. Show everyone the world is yours in Lucia’s red sequin mini dress and curls."
• '55 Vapid Stanier: "Cruise Shore Drive in this classic sedan and store it just a stone's throw from the glistening sands of Ocean Beach in the Shore Court garage, complete with a weapon locker plus a secure place to deposit stolen goods to be fenced."
• Exclusive Weapon Pattern: "Adorn most guns with a tropical pattern inspired by Tommy Vercetti's iconic palm tree button-up."

It's a drop in the bucket in comparison to the cosmetic options you'll lose by not purchasing the Ultimate Edition, but I guess that's why they made it a pre-order bonus, so people would feel less crap about what is essentially locking cut-content behind an upgrade. Post-release, this pack will likely be available for purchase, too.

What's in the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition?

• Price: $99.99/£89.99
• At a glance: One month of the GTA+ subscription, the Vintage Vice City pack, and the Ultimate Edition upgrade (which you will almost definitely be able to purchase separately post-launch, so don't feel pressured to decide now)

The Ultimate Edition contains everything in GTA 6, unlocking all customization features throughout Vice City. The annoying part is that it includes what sound like job-style activities and vendors who will customize your cars and characters.

Take the "Classic Car Collection", for example, which sees you "track down a variety of abandoned classic and work-in-progress project cars and revitalize them". That sounds like a whole mini-questline you won't be able to access with standard. There's also vehicle customisation, a salon, a tattoo parlor, and clothing shops you can't use without ultimate, which, frankly, sucks. Here's everything included:

Vehicles and garages

• '95 Grotti Cheetah: "Grotti's signature mid '90s sports car and ode to Shore Drive, the ’95 Grotti Cheetah is complete with a minimalist, retro-futuristic livery and available to punctuate later-stage action."
• Ganado Retro Build: "Inject some muscle and classic stylings into Jason's well-worn Vapid Ganado low-riding pickup with exclusive mods."
• Shitzu Squalo: "Perfect for casting in Gambit Bay and reeling in catches of all sorts, this gradient pink and blue Squalo docked at Washington Beach is made open-ocean-ready with an explosives-laden weapons crate."
• '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy and Garage: "A Mud Club monster offering impressive off-road handling for the backwoods of Mount Kalaga and beyond. Conveniently store it at the Paradise Garage in Watson Bay, which features a weapon locker plus a secure place to deposit stolen goods to be fenced."
• Jason's Safehouse Vehicles: "Switch gears and soak up the sun in an Army fatigue-tinged Dinka Enduro motorcycle or Crest Kayak."

Weapons and cosmetics

• Hawk & Little Morgan Revolver: "His and hers versions of this powerful revolver with classic Vice City stylings sourced from the Vercetti Estate, including palm-tree-etched grips, engraved detailing, and high-performance scope."
• Personalized Weapon Variants: "Personalized sidearms with detailed engravings for Jason's Girardi ES9 pistol and Lucia's Klose K17 pistol."
• Vice City Style: "Whether poolside or side by side, Jason and Lucia can look the part with exclusive outfits, tattoos, and more."
• Goodtime Gear: "A capsule collection of apparel and accessories inspired by the Goodtime State’s hit TV show character, Macca the Alligator."

Unique activities and vendors

• Classic Car Collection: "Track down a variety of abandoned classic and work-in-progress project cars and revitalize them to their former glory in this special commission from eccentric collector and local fixer, Wyman."
• Ptt Youngin$ Compound: "Raid the compound of one of Southside Vice City’s loudest and most socially active gangs and escape safely to score some special items and distinct contraband."
• Rideout Customs: "Transform vanilla vehicles into magnificent works of art with detailed interiors, exquisite rims, and donk stylings."
• Sara's Unisex Salon: "Get signature salon styles for both Jason and Lucia, including facial hair for Jason and makeup and nails for Lucia."
• Stock 305: "Style various unique and exclusive looks for Jason and Lucia at Stockyard’s premiere destination for elevated streetwear."
• Electric Fang Tattoo: "Choose from over 50 signature tattoos for both Jason and Lucia — all designed by the artist collective FAILE at Stockyard’s most iconic ink bar."
• One-Eyed Willie's: "Visit Lake Leonida’s storied mod shop, specializing in off-road modifications and hand-painted automotive artistry."

So, as you can see, the $20 upgrade unlocks an absolute ton of stuff. Should a lot of this have been part of the base game? Yes, yes it should. All I can really say is purchase accordingly or, hey, not at all.