Grand Theft Auto III (GTA 3) is a 2001 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North (formerly known as DMA Design) and published by Rockstar Games. Initially released for the PlayStation 2 console, it was later ported to PC and Xbox. This game is the third main entry in the Grand Theft Auto series and the fifth overall installment.

A New Era in Liberty City

Set in the fictional Liberty City in 2001, GTA 3 begins a new continuity separate from its predecessors. The game’s narrative follows the adventures of Claude, a silent criminal betrayed by his girlfriend Catalina during a bank heist. Claude starts working for various factions in the crime-ridden Liberty City, including the Mafia, Yakuza, and corrupted figures.

From Top-Down to 3D

In an open-world environment, GTA 3 is the first game in the series to be presented in a fully 3D world, moving away from the top-down perspective of previous games. Developed by DMA Design, this was the final game they created before renaming to Rockstar North.

Critical Acclaim and Controversy

Upon its release in October 2001, GTA 3 received universal acclaim. Critics praised its presentation, game design, freedom, sound design, and ambition, although it sparked controversy due to its violent nature. Multiple publications regarded it as a revolutionary title for its advancements in game design and open-ended gameplay, earning various end-of-year accolades. Commercially successful, GTA 3 sold over 14 million copies.

Re-Releases and Legacy

In 2011, to mark its 10-year anniversary, the game was re-released on iOS and Android under the title Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition. It was well-received, with praise for its visuals, though criticism was aimed at the port’s controls.

On November 11, 2021, the game was re-released on 8th and 9th generation consoles for its 20-year anniversary under the title Grand Theft Auto III – The Definitive Edition, included in the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition bundle.