Is the Ultimate Edition of GTA 6 Worth the Price Tag? Discover What’s Included!
Many fans are opting for the additional $20, but there’s no urgency to follow suit.
It’s no secret that Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be one of the largest game launches ever. After over ten years in development, nearly 5 million digital copies were pre-ordered shortly after a promotional look from Netflix garnered 31.1 million views, according to Sensor Tower data. With such high numbers, the primary consideration for many players is which version to select.
The majority seem to be leaning towards the $99.99 Ultimate Edition, which comes at a $20 premium over the Standard Edition priced at $79.99. Reports indicate that approximately 90 percent of pre-sales have been for the Ultimate Edition. However, if the exclusive items and bonus content don’t particularly excite you, it may be wise to save the extra $20. You’ll have the option to upgrade to the Ultimate Edition post-launch if desired.
What Comes with the Ultimate Edition
Unfortunately, no physical disc is included.
The most significant additions in the Ultimate Edition are exclusive regions and side missions. Players can explore unique shops like Rideout Customs, Sara’s Unisex Salon, the Stock 305 clothing outlet, One-Eyed Willie’s off-road modification shop, and the Electric Fang Tattoo Parlor, offering over 50 designs from the art collective FAILE. The additional side missions include a raid on the PTT Youngin$ Compound, a gang’s stronghold, and restoration tasks involving classic cars from a fixer named Wyman.
Additionally, players will receive exclusive vehicles, including a reimagined version of the iconic Cheetah, dubbed the ’95 Grotti Cheetah, a Shitzu Squalo jet ski equipped with explosives, and the ’67 Vapid Dominator Buggy. The Ultimate Edition also includes the Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers, a variety of weapon skins, along with the Vice City Styles and Goodtime Gear outfits.
As a reminder, gameplay will allow players to unlock, earn, purchase, or steal more as they progress, so having a luxurious garage from the start might not significantly impact your experience. These bonuses are designed to be revealed throughout the game’s narrative rather than being available right from the launch.
Is the Additional $20 for the Ultimate Edition Justifiable?
So far, it appears that most pre-order customers are convinced it is worth it. Sensor Tower estimates that 88.5 percent of pre-orders on PlayStation and 90 percent on Xbox have chosen the Ultimate Edition.
This statistic is quite remarkable, given that typically a premium edition sees around 10 to 20 percent of pre-orders, according to Karl Kontus, SVP and GM of Video Game Insights at Sensor Tower. “I’ve never witnessed a 90 percent share for a premium edition before,” he noted, predicting that the ratio might approach a 50/50 split as more casual consumers make decisions closer to the game’s release in November. Take-Two Interactive has not released its own figures, and CEO Strauss Zelnick refrained from disclosing numbers during a recent earnings call, but acknowledged that pre-orders are skewed towards premium editions.
Whether the extra $20 is worth it ultimately depends on one’s value regarding access to the additional shops and missions. If uncertain, it may be more beneficial to purchase the Standard Edition and decide from there. There’s no urgent need to pre-order the Ultimate Edition when an upgrade is possible after the game is released.
This approach contrasts with past practices, where premium editions typically offered early access. For example, Starfield’s Premium Edition allowed players up to five days of early access, while Diablo IV’s Digital Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offered four days. However, with GTA 6, it seems everyone will gain access simultaneously, although Rockstar has yet to confirm specific details regarding unlock times and time zone considerations.
