The 3D GTA Trilogy produced some of the most iconic sandbox games of all-time - with GTA III itself changing the industry as a whole and crafting the blueprint for today’s modern-day sandbox experiences. Rumors swirled for months about the trilogy getting re-released on modern hardware and Rockstar confirmed that with a rather odd method - a digital release first and then a physical release a month later. This marked the first time the 3D trilogy would hit a Nintendo console period, and those who bought the PS4 version also got the PS5 version thrown in - making that a good value overall.
Both versions are very similar, but the PS5 version uses the Dual Sense to better-replicate the rumble of the train flying across the tracks above you. Vibration for that is featured in both the PS4 and Switch versions that I’ve tested - but it’s nowhere near as impressive. On the PS4, it’s a bit muted and feels almost like a first-generation rumble effect while on the Switch, it’s fairly good - but still lacks some of the subtle haptic feedback offered by the Dual Sense. The PS2/Xbox,/PC versions of GTA 3 offered up various different camera angles - like a cinematic view off to the side of vehicle, in-car, and an overhead camera, but those are not featured in the Definitive Edition at launch.
The Switch version has a slightly darker overall look than the PS4 and PS5 versions, but has the benefit of gyro aiming - which is the main reason I bought that version alongside the portability. Gyro aiming should be possible on the PS4 and PS5 since both controllers support it, but aren’t implemented at launch. Gyro is fine on Switch, but not a real game-changer for aiming since it’s still so rooted in the original games. The “GTA V-like” controls amount to aiming with the left trigger, shooting with the right and a left bumper weapon wheel - but the shooting and combat is still fairly janky.
There is a loss of detail in odd ways on the Switch - like the opening with a blown-up camera showing up clearly on PS5 and PS4, while it just looks like a chunk of car-shaped metal with no visible color on the Switch. All consoles have frame drops during night time scenes with a lot of headlights on, and feature animation skipping at points during cutscenes - especially when someone runs and they can just teleport slightly and have missing animation frames.
Having spent a few hours between three different versions of GTA III in the Definitive Edition, and it captures a lot of what made the original so great. With a more modern control scheme for everything, this collection offers up the best-playing versions available. Those who have the original Xbox trilogy or the GTA III/Vice City double pack may be in the real catbird seat because those play largely fine on the Xbox 360 and especially with III and VC, have the original soundtracks fully intact alongside better controls than the PS2 originals and far better graphics as well. The overall design of that version has held up well.
The soundtracks have been altered a bit, but the radio chatter is fully intact and the OSTs still remain fairly true to the originals. The Definitive Edition of the trilogy is a mixed bag and if the modern-day Series X could just play the original Xbox versions, that would probably be the best overall way to enjoy them on modern hardware - but that isn’t likely to ever happen in an official capacity. Those who just want to see how the new version stacks up should check out San Andreas via Xbox Game Pass or GTA III via PlayStation Now. It’s a shame Vice City isn’t available via a subscription service, but maybe we’ll see that change over time. The Definitive Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC via Rockstar Launcher now and will get a physical release on consoles on December 20.
