If you are a fan of the entire Grand Theft Auto saga, there must be that one feature you desperately want to see in the sequel coming this year. Over the years, Rockstar Games established each GTA game with its unique identity, so it is fair to look for the best mechanics in the latest editions. And while we know GTA 6 will have its soul, I can’t help but wish for some nostalgia. Given the fact that I don’t have Grand Theft Auto 6, I decided to sit down and imagine what my ideal sequel would look like. So with that, here are some of the best old GTA mechanics I want to see in GTA 6!
1. RPG Elements of GTA San Andreas
One of the biggest things I miss in GTA 5 is the beautiful RPG elements. This was most prevalent in San Andreas. The RPG mechanics of San Andreas, such as the ability to alter physique through gyms and diet, injected a deeper layer of personalization. This is one of the biggest old GTA mechanics I would love to see in Grand Theft Auto 6.
Imagine a strength boost for Lucia impacting melee combat, or Jason’s stamina affecting his sprinting during intense chases. Furthermore, the clothing system could go beyond aesthetics, influencing character stats like stealth or social standing within specific groups.
That’s not all. The RPG mechanics from San Andreas are one of the old features players like me demand in GTA 6, just for the immense potential it brings for gameplay changes. Skill progression in driving, shooting, and flying would feel more tangible, rewarding dedicated practice with noticeable improvements. This could extend to unique character specializations, allowing players to tailor their protagonists towards preferred playstyles.
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Perhaps one protagonist gains mastery in close-quarters combat while the other is a sharp marksman, influencing mission approaches. This system would encourage multiple playthroughs to experience the full potential of each character’s development. GTA 6 could offer a more immersive and uniquely tailored criminal experience by tying these mechanics to gameplay. But that’s not the only San Andreas feature we would love in GTA 6.
2. Mini-Games in GTA 6: Beyond the Main Missions
We all know that the GTA 6 map will be huge, and in such a big open-world experience, you will need distractions—not any distractions, good distractions. And for that, the first thing I remember is the mini-games from games like San Andreas or Vice City.
Bringing back classic GTA minigames with personalized features in GTA 6 could significantly boost the single-player experience. Imagine customizing bowling balls and lane themes in a revamped bowling alley.
Personalized cues and custom betting options could enrich the pool’s return. Tennis matches could allow outfit design and unlockable playing styles. The stock market might feature investments in player-created businesses, boosting the mechanics of how GTA 5 or GTA Online works.

In addition to the in-house minigames, Rockstar Games can add much more to the outside world. Racing could offer visual performance modifications and custom track sharing. Another minigame that Rockstar could add is Hunting, which could be more engaging with personalized crafted gear.
Casino games or Darts could feature customizable table aesthetics, themed arenas, and unique player avatars to match the vibes of neon-drenched Vice City. These personalized elements to the tried-and-tested mini-games would add uniqueness and foster a deeper connection with the virtual world. But some mini-games were more than just a fun time.
3. Vigilante, Taxi, and Paramedic Missions
Do you recall those amazing side projects that gave the Grand Theft Auto experience a new dimension? They weren’t merely mini-games but essential components of the city’s colorful fabric. The heart-pounding anticipation of hunting down criminals as a vigilante, the chaotic fun of traversing traffic as a taxi driver with a demanding fare, or an agonizing race against time to save lives as a paramedic.

Just think of the expanded possibilities in Vice City and other areas of Leonida in Grand Theft Auto 6! Rockstar could make more complex taxi missions with dynamic events, high-speed pursuits with updated AI, or even more complicated paramedic scenarios with realistic outcomes. Reviving these with contemporary twists would greatly provide interesting distractions and strengthen our bond with the game world.
4. Unleashing Kill Streaks with Rampages
Rampages were the ideal outlet for those times when you just wanted to have fun and literally paint the town red. These timed tasks required using a specific weapon to inflict a lot of mayhem. The sheer, unadulterated chaos of mowing down pedestrians and destroying vehicles against the clock was a signature GTA experience.
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Just think of the visual spectacle of Rampages in GTA 6 with its advanced graphics engine! I can already picture the satisfying destruction with realistic physics and environmental damage. Bringing back Rampages, perhaps with more varied objectives and dynamic environments, would be a welcome nod to the series’ more anarchic roots. Especially, if Rockstar just lets me grab a minigun and wreck through Vice Beach for my kill streak’s sake. Ah man, those were the times.
5. Property Ownership and Customization
Saving up for safehouses, a key feature in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and earlier titles, provided a tangible sense of progression. Rockstar could add this old GTA mechanic in GTA 6 by allowing deeper customization of property interiors, perhaps even influencing gameplay aspects like storage capacity or passive income generation, similar to business upgrades in Grand Theft Auto V.
I would also love a garage to buy and customize my GTA 6 cars. If you love owning businesses, a feature seen in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and expanded upon in later games like GTA 5, this will be a great addition.
With actual management mechanics that impact profitability and in-game influence, property owning will be a great character builder. This personalized property ownership level would significantly enhance immersion beyond safehouses to various businesses. It would make the player’s journey through Vice City in GTA 6 feel uniquely their own and more strategically engaging through managing and customizing their acquired properties.
These are all the old GTA mechanics I would love to see in GTA 6. Rockstar could create a truly unforgettable and richly layered world that honors its legacy and pushes the boundaries of open-world gaming.
That said, which feature would you want in the highly anticipated GTA sequel? Tell us in the comments below.