The Best Cheats To Use In The GTA Series

Cheat codes aren't really as big a feature as they once were, but back during the '90s and the early 2000s, games were filled to the brim with cheats to either make the game easier or to make them much weirder. In fact, there were official cheat books that you could buy which contained almost a full library of cheats for games.

One series that practically became defined by its cheats was Grand Theft Auto. From the very first game all the way to GTA 5, cheat codes have been a big part of the series, and it doesn't seem like they'll ever be going away. Here are some of the best.

10 Weapon Cheats

Best weapon cheat code: R1, R2, L1, R2, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up (for PS2), unlocks weapon pack 1 in Vice City and San Andreas.

Weapon cheats are a staple of the series and perfect for getting your hands on the best weapons from the games, although the actual effects have varied as the games have gone on. For example, Vice City and San Andreas each have three different cheats for weapons, since they both contain variations of different weapon types such as pistols and shotguns.

The best part is that repeated inputs of the same cheat also increase the ammo you have, so you effectively have unlimited ammo.

9 Health Cheats

Screenshot of Los Santos Medical Center in GTA 5

Best health cheat code: HESOYAM (for PC), from GTA San Andreas. Fills health to maximum (also gives full armor and $250,000).

The health cheat has been a lifesaver for many players in older GTA games because of how they were designed.

Remember, it took until GTA 5 for Rockstar to actually implement checkpoints in missions, as well as health items for you to carry. Previously, you had to conserve your measly health bar in missions whilst dealing with the delights of PS2 era cover-based shooting, and if you died, then you had to drive all the way back to the mission start in order to try again.

8 Skyfall Cheat

Skyfall cheat code: 1-999-759-3255 (in-game phone number for all platforms), from GTA 5. Warps player to the highest point of the map.

Sometimes you just want to have a big skydive in a GTA game, and this cheat is the best way to do it. Input the code and you'll be warped to the very top of the game world, and then there's nothing to do but fall all the way back down.

This cheat is arguably better at night because you can see Los Santos all lit up as you're falling. Just make sure you've got a parachute, otherwise, there won't be much left of you to do it again.

7 Hostile Pedestrian Cheat

Hostile pedestrian cheat code: NOBODYLIKESME (for PC), from Vice City. Causes pedestrians to become aggressive and attack anyone they see.

GTA pedestrians mainly exist for two reasons: to be constantly annoyed, or to serve as car fodder for when you go around a corner too fast and accidentally hit one.

However, there are certain cheats that can really liven up their behavior, including one which causes them to become far more aggressive. They'll attack anyone that gets too close, including you, so be careful. The only drawback to this cheat is that it can't be turned off, so it's advised to not save after its activation.

6 Lower Wanted Level Cheat

Best wanted level cheat code: TURNDOWNTHEHEAT (for PC), from San Andreas. Reduces your wanted level.

Being able to lower the wanted level in a GTA game really helps when you just want to have a bit of fun in the overworld, especially in GTA 5 where the cops can somehow hear a silenced pistol being fired in the middle of the desert.

The real skill lies in being able to input the code whilst fleeing from a full wanted level, which is particularly fiddly in GTA 4 or 5 because you need to type in the code as a phone number.

5 Driving On Water Cheat

Best water driving cheat code: SEAWAYS (for PC), from Vice City. Allows all land vehicles to drive on water.

This is a vital cheat to have in GTA Vice City because Tommy Vercetti can't swim, so even boats are risky because there's a strong chance that you could mess up the jump onto them, and if you do, that's one dead Tommy.

Thankfully, activating this cheat means that you can drive any land vehicle on water, which is especially useful if you're accidentally hurtling towards the ocean. This also allows you to access the later versions of Vice City earlier than you're supposed to.

4 Destroy All Vehicles Cheat

Best cheat code to destroy vehicles: BIGBANG (for PC), from Vice City. Destroys all nearby vehicles.

Messing around with traffic in GTA games is one of the best ways to have fun, and there have been some great traffic cheats over the years. However, there are few which are more useful than the "destroy all vehicles" cheat, which as you can imagine, causes all vehicles currently loaded in to explode.

Its very nature also makes it understandable as to why this cheat doesn't exist in GTA 5 because even the strongest PC would probably struggle with the sheer number of explosions that would be generated.

3 Explosive Melee Attacks Cheat

Attacking a pedestrian with the exploding punch cheat in GTA 5

Best cheat code for explosive melee attacks: 1-999-468-42637 (in-game phone number for all platforms), from GTA 5. Melee attacks will cause a small explosion.

In GTA, your fists can be very deadly weapons when used right. San Andreas decided to make them a bit deadlier by turning them into super punch which sent people flying upon impact, but GTA 5 argues that it's much better when your punches cause explosions to happen instead, and it's as stupid and brilliant as it sounds.

The explosions from the punches don't actually hurt you but it's still wise to pair this with an invincibility cheat, just in case you end up caught in a much larger explosion.

2 Flying Cars Cheat

Best flying vehicles cheat: CHITTYCHITTYBANGBANG (for PC), from San Andreas. Allows all land vehicles to fly.

This one is perfect for a bit of daft fun in GTA San Andreas. Really wish you could get to Las Venturas or San Fierro quickly but don't have easy access to an aircraft in Los Santos? Simply enable this cheat and that Sabre Turbo of yours will be able to defy gravity and take to the skies.

Of course, GTA Online now features the Deluxo which can fly as standard, but being able to fly any car you want is arguably a better choice.

1 Spawning A Rhino Cheat

Rhino tank cheat code: AIWPRTON (for PC), from San Andreas. Spawns in a Rhino tank.

The Rhino is the king of all the vehicles if you just want to go on a rampage, but it's incredibly difficult to obtain one. You either have to break into a military base and try to steal one, or you have to survive getting a high enough wanted level just so you can wait for one to arrive and steal it.

Therefore, it's far more convenient to just spawn one in using this cheat and go on your merry way (and much more fun too).

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