Longtime fans of theGrand Theft Autofranchise invariably have fond memories ofSan Andreas. The remastered version of the game, included inGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Editionwas met with mixed reviews, however. Although improvements and fixes are being implemented,the disappointment from fans was palpable.
RELATED:GTA: San Andreas - Mods That Remaster The Game
Fortunately, an active modding community ensures that any lingering problems will be dealt with eventually. Nexus currently hosts a growing collection of mods for the Definitive Edition ofSan Andreasthat will surely interest plenty of fans. These examples are some of the better choices that players don’t want to miss.
Updated August 06, 2025 by Mark Hospodar:Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition is a few months old now, with many of the launch-related issues having been ironed out in the interim. However, fans looking for the best mods for GTA San Andreas still have plenty of great options to choose from.
These mods incorporate a diverse range of subjects, from graphics to brand new gameplay mechanics. Fans looking to take this classic title to the next level should certainly consider downloading some of these mods.
10Project Texture Overhaul
Despite the Definitive Edition’s problems,San Andreasstill looks better than its antiquated counterpart. However, certain aspects of the game’s visuals still leave a lot to be desired in particular spots. Modding enthusiasts know full well that graphics can always be taken up an extra notch throughsome diligent attention to detail.
TheProject Texture Overhaulmod is a great place to start. Although it’s still a work-in-progress, the mod aims to replace many of the game’s vanilla textures with even higher resolution versions, the vast majority of which are 4K. For players who want Los Santos to look its very best, this mod is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
9Beautiful Atmosphere For Los Santos
It’s easy to bask in the atmosphere of an open-world title. Games such asGrand Theft Auto 5andRed Dead Redemption 2prove that statement. However, the game world depicted inSan Andreascan still use some work. After upgrading the game’s textures, it’s often a good idea to take a look at some shader mods to complement the enhanced visuals.
RELATED:Grand Theft Auto 3: Mods That Remaster The Game
For that, fans should check outBeautiful Atmosphere for Los Santosby TheRealAB. As a reshade mod, this add-on tweaks much of the game’s lighting effects. The result is a more natural-looking game world that discards the bland atmosphere of the vanilla version. The richer palette of colors really makesSan Andreaspop.
8SABulletTime - Slow Down Time In San Andreas
Combat inGrand Theft Autogames isn’t anything flashy. The concept of “point and shoot” stands at the forefront of the gunplay. When looking to spice up the action inSan Andreas, injecting someMax Payne-inspired drama should be just the ticket!
TheSABulletTimemod by Nebucha gives CJ the ability to slow down time to line up the perfect shot. The ability can be activated either on foot or while driving and is refilled by either defeating enemies or driving at high speeds. It’s a neat little mod that adds an extra element to combat while keeping things fresh in the process.
7Better LOD Config
What defines an open world, at least partly, is its ability toimmerse players in its environs. A lack of detail or even an overabundance of bugs/glitches can ruin an open world in rather short order. Games that struggle with maintaining LOD can significantly impact a player’s immersion. For example, watching trees pop out of nowhere in the distance is jarring.
This is an issue that can sometimes be noticed in theDefinitive Editiontrilogy. To rectify it, especially forSan Andreas, fans should considerBetter LOD Configby bigbadjarret. The mod simply utilizes a custom .ini file that prevents “pop-ins” from occurring. Keep in mind that this mod is useful forall three games of the trilogy.
6San Andreas Realistic Weapon Sounds
Just like the graphics, a game’s sound design has a major impact in regards to immersion. Noises and sound effects that don’t sound quite right can take some players out of the experience altogether. This is particularly important for action-heavy games likeSan Andreas, where gunplay plays a significant role.
RELATED:GTA Protagonists Who Have Caused The Most Mayhem
For players who may be unsatisfied in this department, theSan Andreas Realistic Weapon Soundsmod is a nice addition to one’s load order. The scope of the mod is simple: vanilla sound effects for the game’s weapons are replaced with more accurate-sounding versions. It’s a nice touch for fans who appreciate the auditory aspects of a game.
5Realistic Muzzle Flash
Fans of the previous mod may be interested in this one as well. After all, players who want their weapons to sound better probably also appreciate the little details that improve the realism of the game. For that, adding theRealistic Muzzle Flashmod by gruntnugget is a great idea.
This simple add-on does exactly what its name implies. It replaces the vanilla game’s muzzle flashes with a more realistic variant. It’s a minor mod, but one that should satisfy players who enjoy the minute touches in a weapon’s details.
4SA Open All Interiors
Modern open-world games do a better job now of applying detail to both exteriors and interiors. OlderGrand Theft Autogames, unsurprisingly, invested most of their energy into the exteriors, where players spend the majority of their time. As such, the ability to exploreSan Andreas' interior locations is practically nil.
TheSA Open All Interiorsmod seeks to change that state of affairs. It’s a script mod that renders many of the game’s interiors explorable, such as many of the fast-food venues scattered across the map. Overall, it’s a cool touch that makes the world feel a bit more lifelike. Mods of this nature, however, tend to grapple with their share of bugs, so keep that in mind.
3SAMorePeople - Increase Peds & Traffic
Worlds that feel empty and lifeless are never good. Due to the hardware, older games likeSan Andreaswere limited in terms of how many things could be happening on the screen at once. From a technical standpoint, modern games find this to be less of an issue. Nevertheless, why not try to make Los Santos look as populated as possible?
RELATED:Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Mods That Remaster The Game
TheSAMorePeople - Increase Peds & Trafficmod by Nebucha is a wonderful add-on for making the city feel livelier. A greater number of pedestrians, as well as more traffic, now roam the streets with this mod. For fans who place high stock in immersion, this add-on is definitely worth a shot.
2More Variety Of Vehicles
In a similar vein to the previous mod,More Variety of Vehiclesby BroXe does exactly what its name implies. The streets ofSan Andreaswill now be populated with a greater diversity of cars. It’s a nice touch that adds to the realism ever so slightly. Plus, this mod pairs great with SAMorePeople - Increase Peds & Traffic.
1Insane Graphics
It was mentioned previously that reshade mods can dowonders for a game’s overall atmosphere. For fans who want to try their hand at a more photorealistic quality, the aptly namedInsane Graphicsmod by TeaserPlay is a nice choice. Unsurprisingly, a powerful PC will come in handy here. In terms of sheer eye candy, it’s hard to beat what Insane Graphics sets out to do.
Of course, everybody’s mileage will vary when it comes to running graphical and reshading mods. The Beautiful Atmosphere for Los Santos mod mentioned earlier is still a great alternative for fans who lack 4K monitors and powerful GPUs.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Editionis currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.
