Hey friend! If you‘re wondering whether you can download the classic open-world game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for free on the Epic Games Store – the answer is unfortunately no. But read on for all the details on where and how you can get San Andreas either cheaply or legitimately free!
Can You Get GTA: San Andreas Free on Epic Games Store?
Let‘s start by clearly answering the main question:
No, GTA: San Andreas is currently not free on the Epic Games Store.
Previously in May 2020, Epic briefly offered the entire GTA V Premium Edition at no cost. But that was a limited-time promotion.
As of November 2022, there is no way to get San Andreas free on Epic. You‘ll need to purchase it to play the game through Epic‘s desktop app.
Here are the current options for buying GTA: San Andreas on Epic:
GTA: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition – This bundle containing San Andreas, Vice City, and GTA III costs $59.99.
GTA: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition – The standalone remastered version of San Andreas for $19.99.
So in short, while Epic has provided some free GTA games in the past, San Andreas itself is not free at the moment. You‘ll have to buy the Definitive Edition trilogy or standalone game to play it via Epic.
Has GTA: San Andreas Ever Been Free in the Past?
While San Andreas hasn‘t been free on Epic, Rockstar Games did release a free downloadable PC version back in 2008 for a limited time as a promotional giveaway.
Aside from that though, San Andreas has never been fully free…unless you had an Xbox Game Pass membership. Game Pass subscribers can access San Andreas and other GTA titles at no extra cost.
But there are no current free download offers directly from Rockstar or Epic. Here‘s a quick pricing history of San Andreas over the years if you‘re curious:
- 2004 – Launched on PS2 for $49.99
- 2008 – Temporary free downloadable version on PC
- 2014 – Mobile version for $6.99
- 2015 – Added to Xbox Game Pass
- 2022 – Re-released on Definitive Edition for $19.99
So while you may stumble upon old forum posts mentioning free offers back in the day, those are long gone in 2022.
What Are Some Ways to Get GTA: San Andreas Cheaply?
Okay, so San Andreas isn‘t currently free unless you have Game Pass. But if you don‘t want to pay full price, there are some alternative options to grab it at a discount:
Steam Sales – Steam often slashes prices on Rockstar games during seasonal and holiday sales events. GTA titles frequently get discounted from 50-75% off.
Third Party Key Sites – Sites like CDKeys sell digital game keys for cheaper than full retail price. You can sometimes find GTA Trilogy keys for under $40.
Physical Copies – Check used marketplaces like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook for cheap pre-owned copies of the PS2, Xbox, or PC discs.
Bundled Deals – Occasionally, San Andreas gets bundled with other GTA games for a lower combined price.
Regional Pricing – On platforms like Steam, games are sometimes listed for cheaper prices in certain countries. You can save money by purchasing with a VPN.
So in summary, you have a handful of options to obtain San Andreas for under the $19.99 cost. But it takes a bit of deal hunting and compromise.
What‘s the Best Way to Get GTA: San Andreas 100% Free Legally?
If you want to acquire San Andreas at absolutely zero cost legally, then Xbox Game Pass is definitely the best route.
Here‘s a closer look at how to maximize Game Pass:
Huge GTA Library – Game Pass grants access to San Andreas, Vice City, GTA III, GTA IV, and GTA V. All available to download at no extra charge.
Low Monthly Cost – Game Pass normally costs $9.99/month. But new subscribers can often find deals like "3 months for $1".
Play on PC Too – You don‘t need an Xbox. Game Pass works on PC as well so you can play San Andreas there.
Cancel Anytime – If you only want to play San Andreas free for a bit, you can subscribe for a month or two then cancel.
As long as you maintain an active Game Pass membership, you can download and enjoy San Andreas and other GTA games free on either Xbox consoles or PC.
It‘s the best legitimate way to play San Andreas for zero dollars if you redeem some of those new subscriber deals for the first few months.
Should You Buy GTA: San Andreas in 2022?
Even though San Andreas originally came out way back in 2004, it remains an incredibly fun and compelling game that holds up great – especially with the modern Definitive Edition enhancements.
Here are just a few reasons why it‘s still worth buying and playing San Andreas in 2022:
Massive open world – The huge scope of the map remains impressive even today. So much diverse terrain and environments to explore.
Memorable story & characters – The narrative of CJ seeking justice after returning home still engages and connects with players.
Innovative customization – San Andreas was groundbreaking with its RPG-like character and vehicle customizations. Still fun and satisfying!
Solid modern graphics – Thanks to the Definitive Edition treatment, San Andreas looks better than ever while keeping its signature art style.
Endless gameplay activities – Causing chaos never gets old. But the game also lets you gamble, compete in triathlons, dance, fly jets…so much variety beyond just action.
Nostalgia factor – For those who grew up with San Andreas, it‘s an amazing blast from the past and filled with nostalgia.
Overall, San Andreas remains one of the most important and memorable games ever made – totally worth revisiting or playing for the first time in 2022.
6 Tips for Getting Started in GTA: San Andreas
If you do decide to grab San Andreas, either via Game Pass or purchasing it, here are some helpful starter tips based on my experience to help you get going:
1. Do the story missions first – Completing the core plotline unlocks new areas and assets key for exploration.
2. Build your lung capacity – Swimming underwater boosts CJ‘s breath meter, enabling you to reach new depths.
3. Earn & manage money smartly – Save up for properties/businesses to generate income. But keep cash in reserve for guns, armor, and ammo.
4. Increase your stats – The more you exercise skills like running or cycling, the more your core stats improve. Unlocks cool abilities.
5. Dabble in side activities – Between main quests, try out some extra challenges like courier missions for fun bonuses.
6. Use cheat codes if you want – Enter freebie codes for unlimited health, stamina, money, and firepower if you just feel like going wild!
Combining the main story missions with optional exploring and side content makes for an insanely fun experience in San Andreas.
Final Thoughts
Well there you have it friend! Hopefully this guide gave you all the details on getting GTA: San Andreas through Game Pass or at the lowest prices.
Even 18 years after its release, San Andreas remains a legendary open-world action title that every gamer should experience – especially with the great Definitive Edition upgrades.
While it‘s not free currently on Epic, don‘t let that stop you from enjoying San Andreas via Game Pass or grabbing it at a discount. With the tips above, you‘ll be having a blast in Los Santos and beyond for hours on end!
Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy that long-awaited return to San Andreas!