To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III, Rockstar Games have treated us to a first look at the work gone into updating three classic games: Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas. And, better than that, we have a release date for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and PC. Hint: It is just around the corner.
Firstly, let’s have a look at the brand-new trailer:
All three titles have been adapted to modern consoles using Unreal Engine. As well as the obvious graphical enhancements there is a completely rebuilt lighting system, improved shadows and weather and higher resolution to almost every aspect of the original releases.
Controls have been brought kicking and screaming into modern times. A GTA V control style has been implemented, meaning improved weapon and radio selection wheels, updated mini-maps and the ability to set waypoints, improved targeting and lock-on mechanics and more.
Speaking specifically about Grand Theft Auto III, Aaron Garbut, Head of Development and Co-Studio Head of Rockstar North had this to say on the 20th anniversary of the genre-defining game:
“GTAIII helped clarify our approach to making games, and it’s something that has stuck with us in every game we make, from GTAIII through to GTA V, the Red Dead Redemption series and everything else: we are focused on building worlds – and on making these worlds as believable, detailed, interesting, varied and alive as possible. We want to make worlds that you feel like you are living in, that feel dynamic and filled with other characters. Where it’s not just a façade that comes alive around you and for you, but as real a place as we can manage, and one that is filled with stories, characters, events and fun, interesting things to do.”
Anything else? Oh yes, the small matter of the release date. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will release on 11th November 2021 on the Xbox Store priced at £54.99, with pre-orders now live. Fear not though if that price is too high, as the Definitive Edition of San Andreas will be dropping into Xbox Game Pass on the same day. PlayStation fans will have Grand Theft Auto III going into PlayStation Now on 7th December, the same day that physical releases will be going live for the trilogy.
Simply put, three of the best games of all-time will be launching together in the same package on the same day. Not to mention this is also the day that Skyrim receives its 10th anniversary update. But where will you go first: Grove Street in San Andreas, Ken Rosenberg’s office in Vice City or Liberty City in GTA III? Let us know in the comments below.
