GTA: San Andreas Coming to Mobile Devices in December

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is coming to mobile devices this December, Rockstar Games have announced.

The 5th instalment in the franchise – originally released in 2004 – will be available for mobile devices like the iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle and Windows Mobile devices worldwide in an early christmas present from developers Rockstar.

The release is not a full port of the original game but has instead been upgraded for its launch such as remastered graphics, greater draw distances and enhanced character & car models. It will also feature new touch controls including “contextual controls options to display only when you need them and three different control schemes for driving and manoeuvring”. A new checkpoint system will ensure users a much easier journey through their adventure.

Whilst no official date has been released, Rockstar have promised more details in the coming weeks.

GTA: San Andreas follows protagonist Carl “CJ” Johnson as he returns to the west coast from the east coast and must earn back his stripes with his broken family in a crime-riddled Los Santos (based on Los Angeles). CJ’s journey sees him travel across the entire state of San Andreas, also visiting San Fierro (based on San Francisco) and Las Venturas (based on Las vegas) as he fights to rescue his brother from jail, reunite his family & friends and stop corrupt LSPD officer, Frank Tenpenny, from destroying the hood.

San Andreas featured an impressive celebrity cast including Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson, actor James Woods, rappers Game, Ice T & MC Eiht, British actor Danny Dyer, Reservoir Dogs’ actor Chris Penn, Armageddon’s William Fictner and Goodellas & Casino actor Frank Vincent.

Released for the PS2, Xbox and PC, San Andreas is one of the most popular GTA instalments ever. In a pre-GTA V poll by Digital Spy, 45.59% of 10,000 readers voted San Andreas as their favourite GTA of all time. The game itself was critically acclaimed worldwide, earning numerous 10 and 9 scores as well as five star reviews.

It was also awarded numerous awards at IGN’s Best of 2004 awards ceremony, including PlayStation 2 Game of the Year, Best PlayStation 2 Action Game and Best Story for PlayStation 2.

As of November 16th this year, the game has shipped almost 21 million copies.

Sources: Rockstar Games, VGChartz, Digital Spy