Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is one of the most important games in the franchise. The title was released in 2004 and is the final game from the 3D universe before the series was upgraded with finer details and HD graphics. GTAIV came out four years later and is the first game in the HD universe which marked the start of a new era.
Carl Johnson, also known as CJ, is an iconic protagonist from the series. For many fans, CJ is among the most preferred playable characters due to his gangster lifestyle and intricate storyline. Players work towards obtaining respect, muscle, and territory from rival gangs, all whilst wearing the family colors and avoiding the cops.
10 CJ Can Ask A Gang Member For A Snapshot
In GTA: San Andreas, CJ can recruit Grove Street gang members once players have obtained enough in-game respect. Players can recruit up to 7 homies who will follow CJ through the streets and provide protection. His recruits will also help deal with annoying enemies and assist CJ with any active missions.
Once a gang member has joined your crew, CJ can ask one of them to take a photo of him. Players must equip the camera and approach a gang member to perform the unique interaction. When players have asked for a snapshot, they must get into position and strike a pose.
9 Carl Johnson Is The First GTA Protagonist Who Can Swim
Carl Johnson is the first playable character in the franchise who has the ability to swim. Gamers first took to the water in GTA: San Andreas and the title also gave players the lung capacity stat. The means to dive and swim around under the water's surface was also introduced in this release.
In the mission "Amphibious Assault," players must complete an underwater swimming course before arriving at the ship and proceeding with the mission. A lung capacity of 20% is required for this mission, meaning players must practice swimming before starting Wu Zi Mu's assignment. In later games, the underwater world has flourished with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and hostile sharks.
8 Carl's Customization Factor Is One Of The Best
Shopping for clothes and trying on fresh threads isn't a new feature for the franchise, but taking a trip to the barbershop is. GTA: San Andreas also gave gamers a skill and stat system that includes Weapon skill, Vehicle skill, and even Sex Appeal. CJ can also gain muscle by hitting the gym and put on weight from eating too much fast food, both of which change his physical appearance.
All of these statistics change depending on how people play the game. GTA: Vice City doesn't feature many clothing options while GTA III only features two outfits. Even though GTAV gives players a virtually endless choice of clothes and accessories, CJ himself can be customized in more ways than any other protagonist.
7 Carl Johnson Is Second In Command
As the story goes, CJ arrives back in Los Santos after a five-year absence. Players are led to believe his return is because of his mother's death and CJ is either looking for peace or revenge.
The game begins with Carl flying back to the city where he heads to Grove Street and reunites with his brother— Sean "Sweet" Johnson— and his sister, Kendl. In his absence, San Andreas has been overcome with rival gangs, the Ballas and Vagos. Sweet is the leader of the Grove Street Family gang while the protagonist, Carl Johnson, is the underboss.
6 Carl Can Unlock The Ability To Duel Wield Guns
The first game in the franchise which allowed players to dual wield pistols was Grand Theft Auto 2. As well as being featured in GTA: Advance and GTA: Chinatown Wars, the dual wield ability was also included in GTA: San Andreas. Furthermore, Carl Johnson is the first protagonist who can use two shotguns and submachine guns at the same time.
By increasing the weapon skill stat, CJ will be able to wield two guns. When players reach Hitman status with a firearm, then that gun can be dual-wielded, which will happen automatically once equipped. This increases CJ's rate of fire and makes him more lethal.
5 An Easter Egg Implies That CJ Has Died
GTAIV was released in 2008 and was the successor to GTA: San Andreas. In the Liberty City-based game, with Niko Bellic as the protagonist, there is an Easter egg that references past playable characters— including Carl Johnson.
With the GTA: San Andreas story taking place in 1992 and the following open-world game is set in 2008, there is a possibility that CJ could have passed away. The subway station in Liberty City's Bohan is where players will find the graffiti. The Easter egg reads "mo blood" with Carl's name written above. In an adjacent part, "RIP" can also be seen above Carl's name.
4 Carl Had A Strong Bond With His Brother, Brian
GTA: San Andreas begins with CJ traveling back to his stomping ground in the wake of his mother's death. After living and working in Liberty City for five years, Carl moves back to Grove Street to be closer to his siblings, Sweet and Kendl.
His other brother is also mentioned throughout the story. Gamers learn that Brian had died five years prior, which was the initial reason CJ left Los Santos. As players progress through GTA: San Andreas, they discover that CJ feels guilt and remorse over his brother's death. The story implies Brain was killed by rival gangs and CJ chose to save himself rather than do all he could to help his brother.
3 CJ Is The First Protagonist To Play Basketball
Like most games from the franchise, GTA: San Andreas has side activities to keep players entertained in between missions. This title allows Carl to take part in roulette, pool, and basketball.
Although the basketball activity isn't competitive, it still provides gamers with a fun hoop-shooting challenge. The timed activity will start when CJ arrives at the courts and picks up one of the basketballs. Players must run with the ball to the designated area and score points from a distance. Releasing the shoot button at the peak of CJ's jump will ensure maximum accuracy.
2 CJ Is Voiced by Young Maylay
The protagonist in GTA: San Andreas is voiced by American rapper Christopher Bellard, whose stage name is Young Maylay. The musician is from Los Angeles which is also the city Los Santos is based on.
Young Maylay's music career took off in the early '00s and he has since been featured on numerous tracks with other West Coast artists. The LA-born and bred rapper was the perfect voice for Rockstar's Carl "CJ" Johnson. Because of this opportunity, Young Maylay worked alongside the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, George Clinton, and Danny Dyer.
1 CJ Is The First Playable Character To Have Met Another GTA Protagonist
The GTA: San Andreas mission, "Farewell, My Love..." is when Claude appears once more in the Rockstar franchise. Claude Speed is the protagonist from GTAIII which is set in the year 2001, while the GTA: San Andreas storyline is set nine years prior in 1992.
Catalina, Carl's ex-lover, does most of the talking in the mission's initial cut scene. Her and CJ argue over why their relationship never worked out while Claude, Catalina's newest boyfriend, stays quiet and watches the drama from afar. CJ and Catalina agree to a race to settle their differences. Once CJ beats her to the finish line, the mission is completed and Catalina and Claude drive away together and settle down in Liberty City. Certainly the pair will live happily ever after...