For most players, the GTA 6 Standard Edition at $79.99 is the right choice. It includes the full story and the whole of Leonida, and you can upgrade to the Ultimate Edition later for $20 if you want the extras. The $99.99 Ultimate Edition is worth it if you know you love customising cars and characters and plan to spend a long time in the game.
Quick comparison
| Standard | Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (US) | $79.99 | $99.99 |
| Full story and world | Yes | Yes |
| Vintage Vice City Pack (before Nov 20) | Yes | Yes |
| Extra vehicles and weapons | No | Yes |
| Five exclusive shops | No | Yes |
| Two exclusive locations | No | Yes |
| Boxed copy available | Yes (download code) | No, digital only |
| Early access | No | No |
Last checked: November 3, 2026.
What you get with Standard
The Standard Edition is the complete game. You play the full story of Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, explore every region of Leonida from Vice City to Mount Kalaga, and take part in all the activities Rockstar showed in the Extended Look. Normal shops for clothes, cars, hair and tattoos are still in the world. Nothing in the main story requires Ultimate.
What the extra $20 adds
Based on Rockstar’s edition details and a detailed Forbes breakdown, the Ultimate Edition adds:
- Vehicles: ’95 Grotti Cheetah, Vapid Ganado low-rider, Shitzu Squalo boat, ’67 Vapid Dominator Buggy, Dinka Enduro motorcycle, Crest kayak and a Classic Car Collection.
- Weapons: Hawk & Little Morgan revolvers and personalised Girardi ES9 and Klose K17 pistols.
- Shops: Rideout Customs, One-Eyed Willie’s, Sara’s Unisex Salon, Stock 305 and Electric Fang Tattoo.
- Locations: Paradise Garage in Watson Bay and the PTT Youngin$ Illegal Goods Store compound.
- Style: exclusive outfits and tattoos for Jason and Lucia, and Goodtime Gear clothing.
Rockstar says these items are spread throughout the story, so many unlock as you progress. See the full Ultimate Edition contents.
Who should buy Standard
- You mainly want to play the story.
- You are on a budget, especially where regional prices are high.
- You want a boxed copy for a gift or to pay at a shop.
- You are not sure yet: you can upgrade later.
Who should buy Ultimate
- You loved collecting cars and outfits in GTA 5.
- You want every location and shop available as you play the story for the first time.
- You know you will play for months, so the extra $20 works out cheap per hour.
- You prefer digital and do not need a box.
The case for starting with Standard
Rockstar has confirmed that you can upgrade from Standard to Ultimate after release for the $20 difference. That makes Standard a safe starting point. Play for a week, see how much you care about the extra shops and vehicles, then decide. You lose nothing important by waiting except having some extras early in your first playthrough. Our upgrade guide explains how it works.
One caveat: if you buy a boxed Standard copy and later upgrade, the upgrade is still a digital purchase on your PlayStation or Xbox account.
The case for buying Ultimate now
If you already know you will want the extras, buying Ultimate up front means everything unlocks naturally during your first playthrough, rather than appearing mid-way through the story. Some of the exclusive locations have reportedly been tied to missions, so having them from the start may feel more natural. Rockstar has not detailed these missions, so do not buy it only for that.
Don’t forget the free bonuses
Whichever edition you choose, buy before November 20, 2026 to get the Vintage Vice City Pack: a ’55 Vapid Stanier, a garage near Ocean Beach, retro outfits and hairstyles, and a weapon pattern inspired by Tommy Vercetti. Digital pre-orders also come with one month of GTA+. These bonuses are the same for both editions, so they should not affect your choice.
Value check: price per hour
If GTA 6 is anything like GTA 5, many players will spend 50 to 100 hours or more in it. At 50 hours, Standard works out at about $1.60 per hour and Ultimate at about $2. At 100 hours, the gap shrinks to around 20 cents per hour. For heavy players the difference is small; for someone who plays the story once, Standard is the clear value pick.
A note on regional prices
Outside the US, the gap between the two editions can feel bigger. In the UK, for example, the Standard Edition was listed at around £69.99, and in many countries in Asia and the Middle East currency changes push digital prices even higher in local terms. If $20 is a significant amount where you live, it makes even more sense to start with Standard and only upgrade if you find yourself wanting the extra content. Always compare the price on your own PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store page, because retailer and regional prices can differ.
Our recommendation
Buy Standard unless you are certain you want the extras. The full game is the same, the pre-order bonus is the same, and the upgrade path is there if you change your mind. If you are a collector who plans to live in Leonida for months, Ultimate is a fair deal.
FAQ
Is the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition worth it?
It is worth it if you love vehicles, weapons and customisation and will play for a long time. If you mainly want the story, Standard is enough.
Can I upgrade GTA 6 from Standard to Ultimate later?
Yes. Rockstar has confirmed you can upgrade after release for the $20 difference.
Does the Ultimate Edition have more story missions?
The main story is the same. Ultimate adds items, shops and locations, and some reports mention gated missions tied to that content.
Do both editions get the Vintage Vice City Pack?
Yes, if you pre-order or buy before November 20, 2026.
Related: GTA 6 price and all our GTA 6 guides. Blaze Codes is an independent fan site and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games.