With every Grand Theft Auto game, there’s a before and an after. The series is a cultural force, even if you limit its catalog to the three classic titles found in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition. This set redefined what everyone thought was possible with video games, and when the third entry, San Andreas, dropped in 2004, its impact was no different from the titles that came before it. Where GTA III and GTA: Vice City are stories set in single cities, GTA: San Andreas sprawls across an entire state, spinning a yarn just as expansive. There’s an awful lot to see and do in GTA: San Andreas. Surprises are at every turn, and we’ve got a few tips to make your life of crime a little easier.

CJ is a living, breathing character.

San Andreas brought a huge role-playing element to the GTA series. Case in point: eating. Sure, it replenishes health, but now you’ll need food even if you’re on a vision quest in the desert. Make the wrong choices, and Carl “CJ” Johnson’s physique will reflect that. Order one too many Meat Stacks from Burger Shot? The impact isn’t just superficial: You’ll run and climb slower, and, at a certain point, won’t be able to advance the story until you shed some weight and learn to swim. 

Exercise has other benefits: Swimming increases lung capacity, lifting weights unlocks new fight moves and stronger melee attacks, and a brisk bike ride along Verona Beach boosts your stamina. 

Please don’t stop the music.

With a map that’s roughly 13 square miles, you’ll be thankful there’s plenty to listen to while you’re driving — or flying. The San Andreas soundtrack is an all-timer. There’s a station for every mood, from funk to East and West  Coast hip-hop to classic rock hosted by Axl Rose. Radio X has you covered for grunge and metal, with K-JAH West bumping out reggae all day. After certain story missions, you’ll hear breaking newscasts about your hijinks.

When you need a rest from the music, turn the dial to WCTR for talk radio, with returning favorites like Lazlo and relationship guru Fernando Martinez. Stick around for Area 53, I Say/You Say, and Gardening with Maurice, too — trust us.

Live out your T2: Judgment Day dreams.

It’s no secret that GTA games take tons of notes from Hollywood. The mission “Just Business” is a white-knuckle homage to T2: Judgement Day’s iconic motorcycle-chase sequence. After escaping a job gone wrong on the back of a motorcycle, you’re tasked with taking out pursuant enemies along San Andreas’ version of the LA River. First, it’s other motorcycles, then cars. Just when it can’t get any more chaotic, a car-carrier trailer flies over a bridge and crashes down in pursuit. It’s an obvious nod to one of the best action movies ever and an absolute blast to play through.

Easy money

Want a simple way to make a whole lotta dough early on in the game? It’s easy: kill drug dealers. You’ll see them standing on corners and medians wearing distinctive white tank tops. Not only are you eliminating potential threats, but the dealers drop tons of cash every time.

And that’s only half of it. From there, save at the closest safe house, then head over to the Inside Track and start betting on the virtual ponies. Place the max bet on any horse — or maybe the horse with the worst odds to win. It sounds insane, but since you just saved, you can always reload if you lose the bet. If you win? Twelve-to-one odds on a $10,000 bet is a heck of a payday. Go save, then come back and do it all over again. Do this enough times, and you won’t have to worry about money the rest of the game. Seriously. Best of all? This isn’t a cheat code.

Save time early on and skip tagging.

San Andreas features all manner of gang turf battles. As you’re driving around Los Santos, you’ll see graffiti from rival gangs. While it might be tempting to pull over and spray some green over the top of their tags, it’s a waste of time early on. Instead, wait until you return to Los Santos amid the aftermath of Big Smoke’s betrayal. This event resets any tags you may have completed to reflect the Grove Street Families’ loss of power at the hands of Big Smoke and Officer Tenpenny.

Once you’re back from the wilderness, though, go nuts. Complete all 100 and you’ll unlock AK-47s, Molotov cocktails, sawed-off shotguns, and TEC-9s at CJ’s house. Your Grove Street homies on the block will get upgraded weapons too.

Check out Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas — The Definitive Edition and more on Netflix mobile games.