Let’s be real for a second. Playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the Nintendo Switch is a weird, nostalgic trip that sometimes feels like trying to run a marathon in flip-flops. The "Definitive Edition" had a rough launch. We all know that. But even with the patches, the real heart of the game—the chaos—still relies on those button combinations we memorized back in 2004. You’re here because you want to spawn a Hydra or turn everyone into Elvis, but there is a catch with the Switch version that most people ignore until their save file is corrupted.
Cheat codes for GTA San Andreas Switch are mostly the same as the old-school PlayStation inputs, but the Joy-Con layout changes the "feel" of entering them. You’re clicking those tiny face buttons and hoping the game registers the "Cheat Activated" notification before a cop busts you.
The Problem With Saving Your Game
Seriously. Stop. Before you punch in the code for Infinite Ammo or the Jetpack, you need to understand how the Switch handles these inputs. In the original PS2 days, cheating was just a way of life. On the Switch, activating any of these codes will immediately disable your ability to earn Achievements (or Trophies, if you’re thinking in Sony terms).
More importantly? Some codes are permanent.
If you trigger the "Pedestrians Riot" cheat and then hit a save point, that’s it. Your save is toasted. Everyone in San Andreas will be trying to kill each other for the rest of eternity. I’ve seen people lose forty-hour play-throughs because they wanted a little bit of mayhem and forgot to keep a "clean" save file. Always, always create a secondary save slot specifically for your "cheating" sessions. It’s the only way to stay sane.
The Core Combat and Survival Codes
Sometimes you just get stuck. You're in the middle of a turf war, your health is flashing red, and you know you won’t make it to a Cluckin' Bell in time. This is where the muscle memory kicks in.
To get $250,000, Full Health, and Full Armor, you’re going to hit: R, ZR, L, B, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up. It feels a bit clunky on the Switch Pro Controller compared to the Joy-Cons, but it works. If you want to be a god, the Infinite Health code is: Down, B, Right, Left, Right, R, Right, Down, Up, Y. Just remember that this doesn't protect you from explosions or falling off a mountain in Whetstone. It mostly just stops bullets from being a problem.
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Wanna never worry about the cops? To Lower Wanted Level, hit: R, R, B, ZR, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down. It’s like a magic eraser for your crimes. Conversely, if you want the military on your tail immediately, use the Six Star Wanted Level code: B, Right, B, Right, Left, Y, A, Down. Good luck surviving that for more than two minutes.
Spawning Vehicles Without the Hassle
The map is huge. Walking is for suckers.
The Jetpack is arguably the most important tool in the game for getting those pesky Oysters and Horseshoes. Hit: L, ZL, R, ZR, Up, Down, Left, Right, L, ZL, R, ZR, Up, Down, Left, Right. Yeah, it’s long. It’s a rhythmic sequence that makes you look like you’re having a mini-seizure on the controller, but once that pack thumps onto CJ's back, it’s all worth it.
If you’re more into heavy machinery, the Rhino Tank is: A, A, L, A, A, A, L, ZL, R, Y, B, Y. For the Hydra (Jump Jet): Y, Y, B, A, L, L, Down, Up. Driving in this version can feel a bit "floaty" compared to the original, mostly due to the way the analog triggers on the Switch (or lack thereof on the Joy-Cons) handle acceleration. To fix this, a lot of players use the Perfect Handling code: Y, R, R, Left, R, L, ZR, L. This makes every car feel like it’s glued to the asphalt. It turns the bulky Lincolns and Cadillacs into precision racing machines.
Manipulating the World Around You
San Andreas isn't just about the missions; it's about the atmosphere. Or ruining it.
You can change the weather if the fog is getting annoying. For Sunny Weather, it’s: ZR, B, L, L, ZL, ZL, ZL, Y. If you prefer the Orange Sky of the late-afternoon San Andreas vibe, try: Left, Left, ZL, R, Right, Y, Y, L, ZL, B. It gives the game that classic "end of the world" look that defined the 2004 aesthetic.
One of the funniest things to do—which I highly recommend for at least five minutes—is the Elvis is Everywhere cheat: L, A, Y, L, L, B, ZL, Up, Down, Left. Every single pedestrian becomes an Elvis impersonator. It’s absurd. It’s stupid. It’s exactly why we love this game.
The Missing Codes: What Doesn't Work
Here is something the "cheat sheet" sites won't tell you. Not every code from the 2004 version made the jump to the Definitive Edition on Switch.
Rockstar confirmed early on that they had to remove a few codes for technical reasons. Specifically, several "physics-altering" codes that messed with the new Unreal Engine lighting and collision systems were pulled. If you find yourself frantically tapping a code for "Invisible Cars" and nothing happens, it’s not you—it’s the game.
Also, the "Big Head Mode" is a New Gen exclusive. You can trigger it using the Konami Code: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, A, B. It’s a fun nod to gaming history, but it wasn’t in the original game.
Weapon Sets: Choose Your Flavor
Don't just grab one gun. Grab all of them.
- Weapon Set 1 (Thug): R, ZR, L, ZR, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up. (Brass knuckles, bat, pistol, uzi, AK-47, shotgun).
- Weapon Set 2 (Professional): R, ZR, L, ZR, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Down, Left. (Knife, Desert Eagle, Tec-9, M4, sniper rifle, flamethrower).
- Weapon Set 3 (Nutjob): R, ZR, L, ZR, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Down, Down. (Chainsaw, silenced pistol, combat shotgun, M4, rocket launcher).
Most veteran players stick with Set 2. The Desert Eagle and M4 combo is basically the "win button" for any mission involving the Ballas.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re planning to go on a tear tonight, do it right. Follow this specific sequence to ensure you don't ruin your career progress.
First, go to your safehouse and save your game in a brand new slot. Call it "Chaos Mode" or something similar. Never touch your primary save after you’ve entered a code.
Second, input the Infinite Ammo code (L, R, Y, R, Left, ZR, R, Left, Y, Down, L, L) before you spawn any weapons. This ensures that when you do spawn your weapon packs, you’ll never have to reload. It changes the pacing of the gunfights entirely, making CJ feel like a genuine action hero rather than a guy struggling with a jammed clip.
Third, keep an eye on your "Criminal Rating" in the stats menu. Cheating will tank this score. If you care about your standing in the game world, keep the cheating to your secondary save.
Finally, if the game starts to lag—which it can on the Switch when too many explosions happen at once—reset the game. The "Definitive Edition" has a known memory leak issue, and stacking too many cheats like "Aggressive Traffic" and "Pedestrians Have Weapons" will eventually crawl the frame rate down to a slideshow. Toggle them off or restart the app to clear the cache.
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Now, go grab that Hydra and see how long you can last against the heat in Las Venturas. Just watch out for the SAM sites.
Next Steps:
- Create a dedicated "Cheat Save" file to protect your story progress.
- Input the Infinite Ammo code before spawning weapon sets.
- Test the Perfect Handling code to see if it improves your experience with the Switch's Joy-Con drift or sensitivity issues.
- Avoid saving the game while "Pedestrian Riot" or "Pedestrians Have Weapons" cheats are active.