Should You Replay GTA Vice City Before GTA 6 Drops?
Seven Months to Kill, Or Spend Wisely
GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026. That’s still 225 days of waiting (yes, I counted). And if you’re anything like me, every day without Rockstar news feels like a week. So here’s a thought: what if we used that time to replay GTA Vice City?
Not just for nostalgia, even though that alone would be enough. But because there are genuinely solid reasons to dive back into the Vice City of 2002 before experiencing the one from 2026. And also a couple of reasons not to. I’ll be honest about both.
Why You Should Replay It
Understanding the Place Before You Go Back
Vice City in GTA 6 isn’t just a setting. It’s a legacy. The streets, the neighborhoods, the landmarks: everything will be an evolution of the original. Ocean Beach, Washington Beach, Starfish Island, Little Haiti, Little Havana… these names will return in GTA 6, transformed by 24 years of technological progress.
Replaying the original gives you a frame of reference. When you discover the new Vice City in November, you’ll be able to compare, spot the callbacks, and appreciate the evolution. It’s the difference between visiting a place for the first time and coming back after years away. The emotion hits different.
The Easter Eggs That Will (Probably) Return
Rockstar loves callbacks. GTA V was packed with references to previous games. GTA 6 will do the same, practically guaranteed. Vice City references will be the most abundant, since the game takes place in the same city.
Will the Malibu Club still exist? Will Tommy Vercetti’s old mansion be visitable? Will references to that botched deal from the beginning of the original game be hidden somewhere? To catch those easter eggs on day one, you need to know the source material. And the source material is Vice City 2002.
It’s Just a Great Game
Beyond GTA 6 prep, Vice City remains an excellent game. Tommy Vercetti’s story is well told, the missions are varied (even if some are brutally difficult, the remote-controlled helicopter mission included), and the soundtrack is arguably the best in the entire saga. Replaying Vice City in 2026 is like rewatching a classic movie. You know what’s going to happen, but the joy is still there.
Which Version Should You Play?
This is the tricky question. You’ve got three options:
The Original PS2 (or Old-School PC)
If you still have a working PS2 or the game on Steam/Rockstar Launcher, this is the most authentic experience. The graphics have aged (understatement of the century), the controls are stiff, and the resolution will make you weep after years of 4K gaming. But it’s the real Vice City. The one Rockstar designed. No touch-ups, no compromises, no controversies.
The Definitive Edition (2021)
The Definitive Edition’s launch was a disaster. Terrifying character models, bugs everywhere, transparent rain that made the game unplayable, and questionable artistic choices. But it’s been patched significantly since then. In 2026, the Definitive Edition has become playable and even pretty enjoyable. The visuals are modernized, the controls are improved, and the game runs properly. If you want a comfortable experience on current-gen consoles, it’s the most accessible option.
The Modded PC Original
The solution for purists with a PC. The original game with graphical mods, resolution patches, and bug fixes. It takes the most effort to set up, but the result is the best compromise between authenticity and visual comfort. The r/GTAViceCity subreddit has full guides on how to mod the game.
Reasons NOT to Replay
There’s a real risk here. If you replay Vice City right before GTA 6, you might walk into the new game with the wrong expectations. Vice City is 2002. GTA 6 is 2026. Different game, different in-game era, different characters. Lucia is not Tommy 2.0. The GTA 6 version of Vice City won’t be an HD remake of the original.
If you replay it thinking “I’m going to find the same vibe,” you might end up disappointed. Replay it instead as a farewell to this version of Vice City before discovering a new one.
The Verdict
Yes, replay Vice City. Do it this summer, take your time. Soak it in. Listen to the radio again. Redo the iconic missions. Buy back the Malibu Club. Fly over the city in a helicopter at sunset.
On November 19, when you boot up GTA 6 and the streets of Vice City unfold in next-gen glory, Lucia behind the wheel and a brand new soundtrack in your ears, you’ll have all the context to appreciate the journey: where we’ve been, where we’re going.
24 years of Vice City. And it’s only just getting started.