Gaming Target - Xbox: Grand Theft Auto Double Pack

Written by Ryan Genno on September 16, 2003

First Impressions: ФWe lie, we cheat, we steal!Ф

This is BIG! When RockStar games announced that they would be releasing a special compilation of their two mega successful Grand Theft Auto PS2 games this fall, one can't help but feel disappointed that Playstation2 freaks are getting recycled hit games instead of a new GTA or something but it's not all bad news, folks. A few days after this new Grand Theft Auto Double Pack is released for the PS2, the game is finally going to the Xbox.

This event is a long time coming because this strange story actually dates back a few years ago. Since the publishers of the Grand Theft Auto titles (RockStar games) were third party supporters of Microsoft's Xbox, Grand Theft Auto III was suppose to come out shortly after it arrived on the Playstation2 during the 2001 holiday season. It didn't happen. Although Grand Theft Auto III wasn't very well hyped, the 3D game about a skilled Car-jacker who looking for revenge became instantly popular by word of mouth and it sold like crazy. Sony knows a good thing when they see it and they wanted to make Grand Theft Auto series a console exclusive on for the next two years. Sony adopted this strategy when Tomb Raider was hot so Sega Saturn players wouldn't get any of the sequels (lucky them!). The GTA exclusive worked like wild fire and not only did Grand Theft Auto III go to over a whopping 6 million copies, the next year RockStar games would strike gold again with highly successful Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Because the two biggest titles of 2001 and 2002 were only on the one system, it sure helped the PS2 to easily out sell the Xbox and GameCube in the respective years. Thanks to the Sony deal though we Xbox owners got screwed out of not one but two awesome titles.

Ah, but soon that Sony only contract will soon be up and RockStar games is finally ready to give the hardcore Xbox player some GTA. If you're one of the few gamers out there who hasn't tried these adventures yet then get ready for some of the most violent yet fun video games to come out in a while.

GRAND THEFT AUTO III
Are you a mere small crook or are you the man who is going run Liberty City? Just like the name implies you steal Cars, Taxi's, Trucks, Cop cars, and even giant Tanks to complete your various missions (usually you have to whack somebody by chasing them downtown while avoiding the cops or something). Make big money, collect over 70 vehicles, and get even with that rotten ex-girlfriend of yours. There is so much more you can do other than just that driving around that it blows the mind. Heck, you can even pick up hookers on the side of the street if you want to regain some lost health. I'm not kidding! These two games are rated СM' (Mature) for a reason so keep the kids away. This was also the first time the series was done in true 3D and believe it or not the game was actually easier to control now too which is usually the opposite when a game makes the leap to the third dimension.

GRAND THEFT AUTO VICE CITY
Grand Theft Auto Vice City gives us more of what we loved from last year's hit game but now the setting takes place in the 80's, hence the whole СVice' theme! So was this game a dream comes true for those GTA fans or is it just another wimpy rehash of a popular game? Sure, I liked Grand Theft Auto III but Vice City is even better. I absolutely loved going back into the 80's again in this cool game to see just how different life was back then. Everybody knows me then they know how hardcore I am about retro stuff. I still got my golden goodies like a NES, and some Transformers G1's in the house to satisfy my 80's flashbacks. The game also has much higher production values now because you not only hear real 80's songs from Michael Jackson, Lover Boy, Bryan Adams, Ozzy Osbourne and lots more here you also have real actors doing the voices. Vice City is a complete package of stylist graphics, hip music from the era, and edgy game play for the adult gamers out there.