I was in the store checkout line when a friend texted: “Which one did you preorder?” My chest tightened for a second—this is the exact moment you realize a $20 decision can shape your first hours in Vice City. You want to buy smart, not impulsive.
I’m writing from the place between hype and homework. You and I will cut through the marketing glow and make a clear call on which edition fits your playstyle and wallet.
In the real world, people split into two camps before any big drop. Which camp are you in?
The short answer: GTA 6 ships as Standard and Ultimate editions, and the Ultimate bundles a stack of exclusives for $20 more. Below is a quick snapshot to get your bearings.
What is included in GTA 6 Ultimate Edition?
The Ultimate Edition adds exclusive vehicles, weapons, cosmetics, five shops, one mission, one activity, and the same Vintage Vice City pre-order pack that the Standard edition gets. The full feature matrix is listed in the detailed table later, but if you want the extras at launch, the Ultimate is the package.
Small purchase, big feeling: you notice price tags first at checkout.
| Feature | Standard Edition | Ultimate Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 (€74) | $99.99 (€92) |
| Pre-order Bonuses | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusive Vehicles | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Weapons | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Missions | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Shops | No | Yes |
| Exclusive Cosmetics | No | Yes |
When people open their wallets, they check what comes with the game first.
The Standard Edition is the clean baseline: the full single-player campaign, the pre-order Vintage Vice City Pack, and one month of GTA+ free. If you just want the story and plan to skip cosmetic extras, this is the rational pick.
Can I upgrade from Standard to Ultimate later?
Yes. Rockstar will offer an Ultimate Edition upgrade pack after launch on platforms such as the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Rockstar Games Launcher (and likely on PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games). If you buy Standard now and change your mind, you can upgrade without replaying the campaign.
At stores and online, the fancier box often carries small, tempting extras you’ll see on the first day.
The Ultimate Edition costs $99.99 (€92). For that price you get an assortment of exclusives: six vehicles, personalized weapons, cosmetic outfits and tattoos, five shops (several only open for Ultimate owners), a mission called PTT Youngin$ Illegal Goods Store, and an activity called Classic Car Collection.
| Feature | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ’95 Grotti Cheetah | Vehicles | 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. |
| Jason’s Safehouse Vehicles | Vehicles | Switch gears and soak up the sun in an Army fatigue-tinged Dinka Enduro motorcycle or Crest Kayak. |
| Ganado Retro Build | Vehicles | Inject some muscle and classic stylings into Jason’s well-worn Vapid Ganado low-riding pickup with exclusive mods. |
| Shitzu Squalo | Vehicles | 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 | Vehicles & Property | 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. |
| Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers | Weapons | 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 a high-performance scope. |
| Personalized Weapon Variants | Weapons | Personalized sidearms with detailed engravings for Jason’s Girardi ES9 pistol and Lucia’s Klose K17 pistol. |
| Vintage Vice City Pack | Pre-Order Bonus | Flash back to when the neon burned brightest with the Vintage Vice City Pack, featuring the timeless two-tone ’55 Vapid Stanier sedan and garage alongside the world-famous Ocean Beach, decadent outfits and hairstyles for both Jason and Lucia, and an iconic weapon pattern that echoes the excess of the past. |
| One Month GTA+ | Pre-Order Bonus | Get one free month of GTA+ — featuring a recurring monthly GTA$500,000 deposit into your GTA Online character’s bank account, special Shark Cards with 15% bonus GTA$, access to free and discounted GTA Online vehicles, a rotating selection of classic Rockstar Games titles and other featured games in the GTA+ Games Library, and much more. |
| Vice City Style | Style & Cosmetics | Whether poolside or side by side, Jason and Lucia can look the part with exclusive outfits, tattoos, and more. |
| Goodtime Gear | Shop | A capsule collection of apparel and accessories inspired by the Goodtime State’s hit TV show character, Macca the Gator. |
| Rideout Customs Mod Shop | Mod Shops | Transform vanilla vehicles into magnificent works of art with detailed interiors, exquisite rims, and donk stylings. |
| One-Eyed Willie’s Mod Shop | Mod Shops | This mod shop in Lake Leonida specializes in off-road modifications and hand-painted automotive artistry. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition. |
| Sara’s Unisex Salon | Shop | Get signature salon styles for both Jason and Lucia, including facial hair for Jason and makeup and nails for Lucia. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition. |
| Stock 305 Clothing Store | Shop | Style various unique and exclusive looks for Jason and Lucia at Stockyard’s premier destination for elevated streetwear. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition. |
| Electric Fang Tattoo Parlor | Shop | Stockyard’s most iconic ink bar, with over 50 signature tattoos for both Jason and Lucia — all designed by the artist collective FAILE. Only open for business with the Ultimate Edition. |
| PTT Youngin$ Illegal Goods Store | Mission | 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. |
| Classic Car Collection | Activity | 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. |
Watching preorder charts and interviews gives you a sense of where the crowd is leaning.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has said preorder interest skewed toward the Ultimate Edition. If you’re the type who wants every convenience and cosmetic from day one, the Ultimate Edition is a VIP backstage pass that reduces FOMO.
If you care primarily about the story, pacing, and core gameplay, I’d tell you to save $20 and buy Standard—your campaign experience is identical on day one. The Standard Edition is a clean canvas for the narrative, while the Ultimate layers in early personalization and a handful of exclusive experiences.
Is the Ultimate Edition worth the extra $20?
It depends on how you value start-line advantages. For social players who plan to stream, race, or flex gear in GTA Online, the five Ultimate-only shops and the mission add immediate playroom content. For solo players who value the campaign and will slowly accumulate cosmetics over time, Standard covers 90% of the experience for $79.99 (€74).
I’ll be honest: I bought the Ultimate Edition because I want to experience the exclusive mission and the Classic Car Collection on day one. If you chase completion or play on platforms where storefronts (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, Rockstar Games Launcher) offer timed bonuses, the extra cost can pay off in perceived value.
Either route leaves you with the same core game and the same main campaign beats. If you’re comfortable spending a little more for a curated early-game kit, go Ultimate. If the extras make you shrug, Standard is the pragmatic move.
Which side are you picking and why?