Comparing Every Version of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

To celebrate this classic game's 20th Anniversary, I'm going to compare all 20 ports of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

[@NarGee.]

dude, you quite honestly are one of the creators I look forward too the most. I always manage to catch your releases within a few hours. Good stuff!

[@NarGee.]

Also, I feel called out. I love darksynth hahaha

[@Flandrew]

Thank you

[@JurgenMiHoff]

@@Flandrewthat’s all?

[@LudicrousShows]

@@JurgenMiHoffat least he acknowledged him? Most creators don’t even do that.

[@jadedheartsz]

@@Flandrew Slight correction-"Running with the Night" was actually first removed WAY back in version 2 on the PS2.

[@BrewmasterDonegan]

Vice City will forever be my favorite. I love San Andreas as well, but there's just something special about Vice city. When replaying the game, it feels like coming home after a long trip.

[@pista69420]

thats true

[@uncharteddama9861]

For me itsnthe characters and the radio soundtracks all that music reminds me of gta vice city

[@DreBourbeau]

seeing that PS2 footage reminds me how precious RenderWare was. such pleasing lighting, colors and effects.

[@tim3172]

Built by Criterion, underpinned the PS2, and extinguished by EA. Sometimes I wonder how much better the 360/PS3 era would have been with an updated RenderWare HD.

[@DankBoyy00]

Dude, I absolutely love your content, as someone who has dabbled in content creation I can understand the dedication it takes to make these. Keep up the hard work and it'll prove fruitful

[@Flandrew]

Thank you for your support

[@seba_igm]

I agree, I watched a couple videos from the channel before, but now I'm binge watching the entire thing, it's really high quality

[@noyoucantnoicantnowecantsostop]

Taking a turn from fantasy genre games to GTA reminds me of my mid-school era switching phases one after another, which isn't even bad. Love the effort you're putting to the contents especially this one. Keep things up good. Also, you can put custom song in PC as well, i remember playing out some random meditation backsong while gunning people down in missions for the "balance"

[@that_one_guy_named_rami]

Vice City is such a classic. This channel makes me feel super nostalgic, which I absolutely love about this channel.

[@WH250398]

I have a suggestion with a large variety of interesting ports. Rayman 2.

[@johnnytamale8676]

I'm surprised he hasn't yet that's one of the most famous cases of a game having a bajillion versions

[@themm5752]

I would love a remaster or port to modern consoles. Been ages since we got a Rayman game.

[@WH250398]

@@themm5752 Absolutely. The absolute best thing would be the trilogy remastered followed by Rayman 4 as a 3D platformer. Rayman 1 would need some serious attention though, because as it is it is way too hard. Even with the 99 lives cheat it's a disaster.

[@gamingwolf7895]

Can you do The Simpsons game

[@quickman2663]

@@WH250398 Oh, like Crash Bandicoot? Yeah it should! Worked out well for that guy.

[@Andrea-ne8sg]

I loved playing Vice City Stories on PSP, and it was definitely one of the bigger influences for the music I'd listen to later in life. Can never get enough of Phil Collins

[@Flandrew]

This game has shaped my music tastes in a big way

[@Invidente7]

@@Flandrew RELAX!

[@ForeChin99]

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. Listen to Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

[@bitterjames]

@@Invidente7 take it easy

[@theforgottenera7145]

Blondie comes to mind

[@LawrenceBarratt]

Self Control on the kazoo at the end had me laughing out loud! Have loved your videos since the HP series, top quality

[@goldbullet50]

First person who I've seen bringing up the connection between our collective childhood with Vice City's soundtrack, and the rise in popularity of synthwave and other similar genres since the 2010's... I've been wondering the same thing myself as well.

[@acev3521]

TBH Sinthwave is inspired by bladerunner and old arcade games and action movies not really pop music like in VC it has a completely different feel.

[@goldbullet50]

@@acev3521 But the appeal of the 1980's aesthetic and 1980's influenced music in general definitely has something to do with Vice City. Keep in mind, it's not only synthwave that has had a revival since the 2010's, also other genres associated with the 80's such as synthpop and post-punk have.

[@Windennn]

You really found your niche in videos, Flandrew! Absolutely loving them and the humour you bring :)

[@donmondo2479]

Wow I Did not expect a video on GTA Vice City! I remember around the end of October of last year, I finally decided to try and complete Vice City once and for all. I did complete the story and only thing I didn’t get to were the car missions for the car dealership. Had a lot of fun going through it. It’s sad we lost Ray Liotta this year he was amazing as Tommy as well as the other legendary roles he did.

[@ChicagoWind100]

Lmao I love the commitment that you replayed the iconic music in vice city with the kazoo especially 8:37 with “out of touch” it’s just *chefs kiss*

[@Zoomer3989]

Super pumped to see you branching out in GTA games! would love to see more series/version reviews of them

[@RevCode]

I expect a HD remaster of your self-recorded music in 20 years. Thanks for making me laugh, in a good way, about your own rendition of the game's iconic tracks :)

[@halfblooddutchprince]

Anyone else remember always seeing that awesome commercial while watching RAW and SmackDown? It had the song "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls. Anyway, I was nine and half years old when this game came out. GTA 3 and Vice City were the first two games I played where I knew my friends and I were way too damn young for them lol. Like Halo CE was tame compared to them. We loved just driving around and listening to the radio.

[@Arandui]

The german version of Vice City was also a bit special: If you play it on a system with german language settings, the game was censored (you can't hit people on the ground, no blood, no exploding head, no rampage missions and 2 other missions got deleted). But if you switch the language of your console to english, the game was uncensored. In later prints, this got fixed and you can't switch to the uncensored version anymore so easy.

[@nsaspynetwork3196]

I seriously look forward to my daily Flandrew video every Sunday. Top tier channel my dude

[@phayroent9742]

Man, kazoo Michael Jackson covers are something I didn't know I needed until I heard it.

[@haventbeenmyself]

i NEVER comment on videos but i have to say, you just keep putting out banger video after banger video. really happy i discovered your content! keep it up!

[@joseheitor6341]

i got to say the ending thoughts with the song in the background made me smile, well done!

[@jessewright5604]

Happy to see thus channel getting upwards momentum, @Flandrew . Videos have been informative, hilarious and thorough for a while now!

[@paulchilds1893]

Just keep knocking it out of the park with these videos. Great stuff.

[@zoiuduu]

i know, this dude has a gift

[@tonymontanaltu69]

0:03 Diaz’s men not Cortez. Cortez is the one in the yacht and Diaz is the short angry dude who kidnapped Lance.

[@TheXperior]

The cops in the original were scary af, never know when a police car would crash into you at lightspeed

[@doonishsan]

Ah yes a series I will definitely love following Subscribed. Can't wait to see you doing more of this.

[@SmoothieD00d]

You just keep killing these comparison videos. These get better each time

[@ssj2rhandy]

Dude nice video :) Been playing this game since 2011 and it still holds up RIP Ray Liotta 😢

[@Munjab]

Vice city stories for the PSP will always be one of my favourite GTA's

[@H4hire]

been here since the GBA review, love your content so much! can’t wait to watch you get all the attention you deserve

[@GustavoDepicoli]

Thank you for this amazing vídeo, imo Vice City and San Andreas are the supreme duo of the entire GTA franchise, GREAT games!

[@emilianovillarruelhernande343]

Meeting with someone To eat lobster in a yacht at 2 am is definitely something a GTA character would do

[@PaulsMotherInLaw]

I stumbled upon your channel about a month ago, & you’ve quickly become one of my favorite creators on here. Keep up the great work, my friend!

[@adams3560]

Great video Flandrew. It’s so interesting seeing how this game has changed over the past two decades.

[@CH-uk1il]

Ray Liotta Rest in peace.

[@Bauglir100]

“Saving Lance from Cortez’ men” That was Diaz.

[@FurasCebulowy]

Demolition man used to be hard for me but now I can do it first try.

[@NinPossible]

Wow, you just take your series to another level! I enjoy watching it very much!

[@Shikaar]

Vice City released closer to the 80's than we are now from Vice City's release... I feel so old.

[@pinkstinger]

hell yeah, hope this means we're gonna be looking at all the gta titles. none of them have that much significant differences between ports, but as a big fan of the series, I'm all in for this journey. and please, keep going with the kazoo

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Ah the days of popping across the road to Blockbusters and obsessively completing a game in 2-3 before and after school.

[@Highretrogamelord]

Hell yeah! A comparison video of my favourite GTA game!!! 🥰 Edit: I grew up with the PC version *without* a controller, so I had to play "Demolition Man" with the numpad. It was quite a struggle and took me months to beat it but I was so happy when I did and then the missions after that felt sooooo easy. In the Definitive Edition version I could actually beat that mission immediately because you steer the R/C helicopter with keyboard and mouse. So much better. (I could have used my Xbox One controller but I wanted to know if they have improved at least that...and they actually did)

[@panoasg]

Great vid! Really took me back to my childhood playing vice city on winter break while watching the snow fall outside. (Even tho I was born in 2001)

[@PsychedOwlifyNZ]

I'm so glad I found you dude. You're inspirational for making informative gaming content

[@DeadYorick]

There are musicians who have admitted to GTA Vice City as an influence. For example the famous musician The Weeknd stated the song "Blinding lights" was influenced by his feelings playing the game.

[@misterdude6694]

The kazoo..... Fucking hell that shit is banging!

[@nohaerrr]

You playing the kazoo killed me

[@hegel002]

Love your videos. You do so much research. Keep up the good work!

[@HeelBJC]

God this game is nostalgic to me. I spent hours watching my older brother play it when we were prooooooobably both a bit too young. This and Legend of Zelda Wind Waker hold an incredibly special place in my heart from the time I spent with him.

[@Red6Games]

Just an addition: the textures of a variety of houses would load faster in the PC version I believe. But I forgot how the mechanic is called in the settings menu. Other than that, awesome video! Subscribed.

[@wheelkeen]

Nice! New game series comparison video from you! Please also do GTA 3 as well

[@emiliopalazzolo894]

I love your content mate, it puts on a smile on my face everytime. Thank you!

[@CraftyApe]

Omg I haven't watched yet but I scrolled through to see if you talk about VCS on psp and HELL YEAH you do!!! Lookin forward to this!

[@nighthawk244]

Great video as always Flandrew!

[@Bismarcus]

I consider the original GTA Vice City for the PS2 to be the best game of all time. Right now the graphics, controls and a whole list of mechanics are dated. But for the time and intention it was perfect. The story and characters are memorable, the city visually stunning and the music, oh God the music! Even Stranger Things can not stand in the shadow of the hommage Vice City gave to the 80's. It made, and makes, me yearn for a decade I was born in, but never experienced. Thanks for this wonderful series of comparisons, and for my nostalgia overload!

[@patrik_x86]

Great video, subbed! Although regarding the Mac port I don't believe it's actually native - It's the windows version but with TransGaming's 'Cider' wrapper which works kind of like using WINE to run Windows games on Linux.

[@wadmodderschalton5763]

And as of today, the GTA Trilogy on macOS doesn't work with Catalina and higher due to the games being 32-bit Carbon software, and it seems that the developer's of this port license for the macOS version expired around the time that the infamous Definitive Edition was released.

[@Darkfirewolf12]

I absolutely love how you chose to use a kazoo to work around the pesky copyright laws.

[@keso.mp3]

Nice! I didn't know I wanted this video.

[@joshuasplural]

I never knew I needed kazoo billie jean before today. Thank you Fladrew for the amazing content and your virtuosic kazoo playing

[@TonyGearSolid]

The original PC version with fanmods is still the way to go for all three games, but I'll always have nostalgia for the PS2 releases.

[@spikepsych]

I see nothing but good things for you my boy. Great video as always.

[@GabrielSantAna-sm9zh]

fun fact, on mac rockstar have the windows version running with cider (a windows compatibility layer), you can open the app folder and there will be the windows .exe file

[@billycurrythe2nd]

Vice city stories on the psp was so good. Loved the empire building stuff that was great

[@dragoscristea7827]

You should do the whole GTA series

[@Bohdander]

+++

[@ShiMigi]

These vids are all so great, just perfect history sessions. Flandrew 🐐

[@hexagonshorts2186]

Those bright sunsets , polygon police , night vibe of 2 cities , mansion mission, discovery of a strip club , bikers gang missions , RC mission , spawning rhinos added with a perfect theme. Good old days

[@mjennings96]

The unexpected kazoo made this a 10/10 video. No notes, A+

[@collectthemall]

I didn't notice that but Lance looks like young Will Smith in Definitive Edition .

[@david-el4uh]

would love you to do other GTA games, also the Tomb Raider Legend would be nice cause it was ported on PS2, PS3, PC, GBA, NDS, Phone, Gamecube and wayyy more

[@TeachMeBert]

Just for fun, anyone know what songs the kazoo segments are meant to be? 1:47 - _Billie Jean_ (?) 3:44 - ??? 7:27 - ??? 8:36 - ??? 8:59 - ??? (Also _Billie Jean?)_ 16:38 - ???

[@priyanshukatuwal]

I think 4th one is "Out of touch" and last one is "Self control" I am still trying to figure out the others

[@ctre97]

Looking at this, I'm sure that we'll be seeing you talk about all the versions of GTAV in 10 more years

[@Ser_Lefty]

Getting one of these for the Sims 2 would be interesting. They really follow the Harry Potter example of different game for each platform.

[@jvkstudios]

First game I ever torrented, as in Pirated. I was like 13, and on the PSP Vice City Stories introduced me to GTA, and I wanted to learn the connection to the original Vice City. Game came precracked, and yet my mom's PC didn't die that day from viruses. I now buy my games, but my memories are in Vice City. Even on KZbin, one of the 5 videos I have is from Vice City Stories, 14 years ago.

[@lalodn007]

You have a new subscriber right here 👌🏼

[@tradeka4206]

I was a little bit young for the original version of this game when it came out, but I discovered it when it came out on IOS, in like 7th grade. And I played the HELL out of that on my iPad. It was so much fun in that format. I’ve recently been playing the original on an emulator. I know it’s not everyone’s favorite GTA game but I still consider this to be one of the best games of all time. The map is perfect, the art style is unique and memorable, it has one of the best soundtracks, a good story, and introduced so many things that became series staples after it. I was late to the party with it but because they ported it so many times I feel like a really wide range of people from millennials all the way through gen Z are nostalgic for this game. All of us had at least one version of it come out when we were growing up. I love seeing the subtle differences in versions in these videos, I can’t get enough of them. As an aspiring game designer I learn a lot from looking at these old games and seeing what they did to achieve certain goals with the limitations they had

[@akivisko]

Nice video, could you please compare every version of San Andreas next?

[@TheJuuuuJuuuu]

I'd really love you to do one of these on Pirates of the Caribbean 3 At World's End ... there are at least three completely different games out there and all of them are amazing in their own way.

[@zandernewson9933]

I still think I’m the only person who likes the remakes. I said it at release, and I’ll say it again, it was everything I thought it would be.

[@Legoshi-vj3rw]

Damn! I remember when i first time play GTA Vice City (plus when i listen Vice City, this is sound like WHY City)) First time play on PC in computer club 2009. This is atmosphere 80's Ah! Nice memories! Now i searching in youtube more interesting mods for upgrades GTA Vice City! Hello from Kamchatka! 🐺👍🏻

[@sirwolfy9372]

My fav is Vice City and omg! The soundtrack was what I love flashbacks.... sorry Tony Hawk Pro Skater, you tried.... Also, the kazoo was amazing! should have kazoo'd moments video just for fun.

[@NerdyWeaponXGames]

The kazoo covers 🤌🏻

[@MeLazyHamd]

Gotta love your voice dude, would love to see u make one on san andreas too ;)

[@CH-uk1il]

Oh, I remember being introduced to GTA. My first game was San Andreas, and then I played Chinatown Wars, 4, and 5. I loved the newer games, but I really wanted to play 3 and Vice City, and I did eventually and loved them. Then Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy Defecated Edition happened. Almost killed my love for this series.

[@thesynthscreamcollective]

0:03 saving Lance from Cortez's men? You mean Diaz right? Other than that great video dude

[@RashidAlesgerov]

Thank you so much for covering Vice CIty. Yes, San Andreas is probably my favourite GTA game but Vice City has its own special place in my heart. FIrst, I've played it on PS2, then later bought it for PC too and had so much fun with it. As you said, community of the game is amazing and I loved checking out all of those weird versions. Everything about the game was perfect but as you said, first versions were the best. Unfortunately, Rockstar made the definitive edition for the sake of doing it. Because we all know they can do much better than what is in front of us.

[@martinweizenacker7129]

This just made me realize that Vice City turned 20 only a few days ago. Incredibly nostalgic! And it makes me feel old, lol.

[@sebastiangreenan1774]

I remember having a lot of trouble completing the mission where you rescue Lance, I kept trying at it till I was at the point I could plan it out like an Ocean's Eleven style heist. 1.) Take advantage of the fact that you can stash a car at the mission site for a quick get away. 2.) Blockade the entrance with a couple of garbage trucks to stop reinforcements and stock up like crazy on machine gun ammo and body armour. 3.) Remember that there's a game outside that mission and embarrassingly drive into the ocean for the one hundredth time without saving.

[@FarmerSlideJoeBob]

dat kazoo sound, superb😂😂please do more😆😆

[@Flandrew]

Keep an eye out for my Smooth Kazoo Jazz album dropping early next year

[@FarmerSlideJoeBob]

@@Flandrew Shut up and take my money😂😆

[@GamingtheOtter]

1:46 The kazoo version is way better omg I laughed so hard thank you!

[@CVoYager]

The biggest issue on PS2 version is that it has no free look with right stick other than that PS2 version is the best. I recommend playing it on PC using PCSX2 emulator. Basically any modern PC should be able to handle it. Combine it with some CRT effect (included in the PCSX2) and a modern controller like dual sense or xbox controller you will have the best experience. Game will be more difficult but it will also feel more rewarding. Modern ports make this game way too easy with PS2 version you will often feel the need to prepare for the mission buying armor, weapons and ammunition and try different approaches to pass missions.

[@chrisdelgado4621]

There’s really no need to emulate. There are plenty of mods for the PC version that restore the missing effects and add things like higher quality textures and full camera control. Plus, the black label PS2 release was easily the buggiest version of the game until the DE came along. Unless you’re ripping your own copy, there’s no guarantee that whatever ROM you come across won’t be that version.

[@u0aol1]

Played it for the first time on my friends PS2 when it came out, same with GTA 3 before that. Then bought them both for the OG xbox. Good times.

[@Alexzw92]

Very good video. I prefer to only play the OG Ps2 version

[@marinbelle]

Am I the only one who have no problem playing remote heli mission in both PS2 and PC?

[@steveblackmon2084]

Nope I beat that mission on my second try

[@ItalianGuy2357]

Vice City was one of the games I played most on my original xbox. I got it in that double pack with GTA3 and always preferred the sunny 80s soaked beaches and streets of Vice City. I don't remember ever beating the game on xbox but I did years later on the pc version. It's easily my personal favourite of the trilogy

[@johnnytamale8676]

Wow what a perfect storm, I JUST found this channel, and I've been obsessing over the classic 3d GTA games, and am currently playing through vice city right now. Seriously man are you watching me?

[@bretton_woods]

makes me feel super old that this came out 20 years ago already. I was 15 when it came out so technically too young to play it at the time but that did not stop me getting my hands on a copy!

[@SqualidsargeStudios]

What you don't eat lobster on your yacht at 2 in the morning?

[@ShadowKing1993]

Crazy that this game is 20 years old now. The nostalgia

[@EvilGrunt98]

I guess the tear gas was removed due to it being glitchy. I have the Original Xbox version and wasnt aware these changes existed. I may try to find the original PS2 version.

[@bbqsauceenjoyer838]

You could emulate it on PC or android, saves time and money

[@chrisdelgado4621]

I wouldn’t recommend it. Up until the Definitive Edition, the black label PS2 version was easily the buggiest.

[@EvilGrunt98]

@chrisdelgado4621 I have it now but I kinda prefer the original Xbox version lol

[@DankCannon]

the reverb on that kazoo gave me goosebumps lmaooo