Although the differences between the PS2 version of GTA: San Andreas and prior iterations of the GTA series are noticeable, the difference between the PS2 and Xbox versions of San Andreas is immense. Feature-wise, Xbox’ers get a replay function that GTA fans have been moaning about for years. You’ll be able to record about twenty seconds worth of action; good enough to watch a sweet kill or a death-defying vehicle stunt. Those who have waited for the Xbox version will also be greeted with dynamic weather effects, and 480p widescreen support. Graphically, the game is enhanced through the aforementioned resolution bump and weather effects, more characters per screen, additional objects per map such as trees and distant filler, and an extended draw distance. There’s also a noticeable yellow-ish hue to the entire PS2 game, which is thankfully absent in the Xbox version. The overdone heat wave effect is still there, but everything looks less washed out, at least when the weather is programmed to be sunny and clear. Audio-wise, Xbox’ers will, of course, get to use their own tracks (although this is one of the few games where custom soundtracks aren’t a necessity). And, as an added bonus, GTA: San Andreas will take ripped tracks and create a “pirate” station; adjusting the levels and adding commercials and call-outs just like a standard GTA channel.
Does it mean that the graphics ain't that good?
