5 things that can only be done in GTA San Andreas

GTA San Andreas will soon turn 20 years old, but it can still give many modern titles a run for their money in terms of gameplay features. The Rockstar Games title was well ahead of its time, offering fun and immersive mechanics despite being developed for hardware like the PS2 and original Xbox. Many of them are yet to appear in even modern Grand Theft Auto titles.

Interestingly, a fan-favorite San Andreas feature that is being to exercise at the gym is rumored to return in GTA 6, but there is no official confirmation yet. Until then, let's look back at five things that can only be done in GTA San Andreas.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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Learning different fighting styles and four other things that can only be done in GTA San Andreas

1) Getting in trouble with the casino

GTA San Andreas' map has three major cities, one of which is Las Venturas. Based on Las Vegas, this location boasts many casinos in which players can gamble.

However, players can be indebted to these casinos if they keep losing games and their bank balance goes negative. They will then be threatened via phone calls to pay back the owed amount, and can even be attacked by henchmen for the same.

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2) Exercise at the gym

CJ working out with dumbbells (Image via YouTube/ZMOONCHILD)

Among the many accessible interiors in San Andreas are gyms, one located in each of its three major cities, Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas, and two at Verona Beach and Madd Dogg's crib, respectively.

Players can work out at these gyms with equipment like treadmills, stationary bicycles, dumbbells, and bench presses. These mini-games add to the immersion and provide more things to do outside story missions.

Notably, gyms are rumored to return in Grand Theft Auto 6. Hints regarding the same were spotted in the sequel's leaked development footage but it has yet to be officially confirmed by Rockstar Games.

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3) Learning different fighting styles

Besides the aforementioned equipment mini-games, players can learn different fighting styles across gyms in GTA San Andreas as well. These are Boxing, Kung Fu, and Kickboxing, each with its own set of unique moves and animations that can be used in melee combat.

Needless to say, this adds a lot of variation to the overall gameplay and provides players with a rewarding reason to explore and spend time in these gyms.

This feature has, unfortunately, not returned in any Grand Theft Auto titles released since. But Rockstar Games should consider adding such an option in the series' next installment, given how players have often complained about Grand Theft Auto 5's lackluster melee combat.

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4) Vary the protagonist's physique

CJ's overweight character model (Image via YouTube/Stilefty)

Another deeply immersive Grand Theft Auto San Andreas feature is how players can vary their protagonist, Carl "CJ" Johnson's physique based on his eating habits. There are multiple accessible restaurants across the map and overeating at them will result in the character gaining a lot of weight.

Doing the opposite, that is undereating, will make CJ skinny, and in fact, incredibly skinny over an extended period. These changes in the physique are not just cosmetic but also affect performance stats like stamina.

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5) Playing basketball

Different types of sports and activities have been a part of Grand Theft Auto games over the years. However, basketball, one of the most popular sports in the world has only been a part of GTA San Andreas.

This optional activity involves scoring from different spots on the court within a given time limit. It is pretty basic, but fun nonetheless.

Features like basketball are among the many reasons for this title's popularity. Oddly enough, an NBA player even has a San Andreas cheat code tattooed on his arm, but the sport is, sadly, yet to appear in the series again.