GTA VI is sold in two editions: standard at €79.99 and Ultimate at €99.99. The difference is €20, and unlike what is usual in premium editions, here it is not just cosmetic.
First things first: you can decide later
Rockstar has confirmed that if you buy the standard you can upgrade to Ultimate at any time by paying the €20 difference. You lose nothing by starting with the basic one.
That changes the calculation quite a bit: it is not an irreversible decision that you have to make now.
What the standard includes
The full game. The entire story of Jason and Lucia, the whole map of Leonida and Vice City, and all the core mechanics. It is not a cut-down version of the campaign.
And if you buy before November 20, also the Vintage Vice City Pack, which is common to both editions.
What the Ultimate adds
Here is what has sparked debate, because it goes beyond the aesthetic.
Vehicles
- Grotti Cheetah (1995)
- Vapid Dominator Buggy (1967) with its garage
- Retro upgrade for the Ganado
- Vehicles linked to Jason’s safehouse
Weapons
- Hawk & Little Morgan revolvers, a his/hers pair with Vercetti Estate aesthetics, palm tree engraved grips, and high-performance sight
- Aesthetic variants for other weapons
Establishments that don’t exist in the standard
- Stock 305, clothing store in Stockyard
- Sara’s Hair Salon, unisex salon with styles for Jason and Lucia
- Electric Fang Tattoo, tattoo studio in Stockyard
- Rideout Customs
- One-Eyed Willie’s Auto Body Shop
Others
- Macca-inspired clothing collection
- Activities related to classic cars and gangs
The important detail: you don’t have it all from minute one
The Ultimate content is unlocked gradually as you progress through the campaign, it doesn’t appear all at once in your inventory when you start.
Rockstar has planned it this way so that the rewards feel earned. It is a different decision from that of most premium editions, where they give you everything right from the start.
If your idea was to buy the Ultimate to start with a ‘95 Cheetah in the garage from the first minute, that is not going to happen.
What the Ultimate does not provide
Early access. Neither edition allows you to play before November 19. Both share a date and both pre-load on November 12.
The controversy
That the Ultimate includes complete stores and activities that simply do not exist in the standard has upset a part of the community. The criticism is that these are no longer cosmetic extras, but game content locked behind an additional payment.
Rockstar has not clarified if those establishments will be obtainable later on through another route. The only clue is that unlocking is tied to campaign progress.
So, which one should you buy?
- The standard (€79.99): Recommended for the vast majority of players. You have the complete campaign, the whole map, and all pre-order rewards. And if after 40 hours of gameplay you feel like having the extra content, you pay the €20 and expand your edition with no penalty.
- Pre-order GTA 6 Standard Edition on Amazon.es (€79.99)
- Buy €80 PSN Card on Instant Gaming (~€72.99) (Direct saving on digital)
- The Ultimate (€99.99): Recommended if you know you are going to spend hundreds of hours in Leonida collecting cars, customizing weapons, and changing looks. The exclusive stores are precisely for that, and at that pace the €20 gets diluted.
In other words: if in doubt, start with the standard. The upgrade will be available on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store whenever you want, allowing you to decide with the game already in your hands.
Regarding spending once inside the game: the campaign will not have microtransactions. To compare prices across all stores, review the guide on where to pre-order GTA 6 cheap.