Grand Theft Auto (1997): Gameplay, Story & Review

Grand Theft Auto (1997) – The Game That Started the GTA Series

Grand Theft Auto (1997) is the first instalment in the legendary Grand Theft Auto video game series. Developed by DMA Design and originally published by BMG Interactive, the game introduced players to a criminal underworld where they could steal vehicles, complete dangerous missions, evade the police and build their reputation through crime. Unlike the modern Grand Theft Auto games, the original release featured a top-down camera perspective, simple 2D-style visuals and gameplay built around driving, exploration, missions and earning points.

Released in 1997, the game introduced three fictional American cities: Liberty City, San Andreas and Vice City. These locations would become some of the most recognisable settings in the franchise. Although the original game looks very different from later entries such as Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto V, its central ideas helped establish the foundation of the series.

Grand Theft Auto is also part of what is commonly known as the 2D Universe of the franchise. This era includes the original game, its London expansion releases and Grand Theft Auto 2. The original title is especially important because it introduced the criminal sandbox formula that would eventually develop into one of the most recognisable open-world gaming franchises in history.

Grand Theft Auto (1997) – Game Details

Release Dates and Platforms

Grand Theft Auto first arrived on personal computers in 1997 before being released on additional platforms. Its different versions were launched in different regions and at different times. The game eventually reached the PlayStation and Game Boy Color, allowing more players to experience the first entry in the series.

The original computer release and the later console versions are not identical in every technical respect. The PlayStation version was ported by Visual Sciences, while Tarantula Studios handled the Game Boy Color version. The handheld edition had to adapt the experience to the Game Boy Color’s hardware and screen.

What Does Top-Down Gameplay Mean?

One of the most noticeable features of the 1997 Grand Theft Auto is its top-down camera perspective. Instead of viewing the character from behind or controlling the action through a first-person camera, players see the city from above. The camera looks down at the streets, buildings, vehicles and characters, making the action resemble a map-like view of the game world.

This perspective allows players to see nearby roads, traffic and surrounding areas while driving or moving around the city. It is very different from the third-person camera used in later games such as Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

The original game is often described as a top-down open-world action game. In simple terms, this means that players can move around a large city environment, drive different vehicles and take part in missions without following one continuous linear path through every activity. The camera remains above the action, but the player still has considerable freedom in how they approach the game.

What Is the 2D Universe in Grand Theft Auto?

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is commonly divided into three fictional universes: the 2D Universe, the 3D Universe and the HD Universe. These names describe different generations of the series’ presentation and fictional continuity. They are not simply labels for the technical resolution of the graphics.

Grand Theft Auto (1997) belongs to the 2D Universe. This era contains the original Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 and Grand Theft Auto 2. These titles use an overhead camera perspective and have their own continuity, separate from the later 3D and HD-era storylines.

The 3D Universe began with Grand Theft Auto III in 2001. It introduced a fully three-dimensional city environment and a different presentation of the franchise. The HD Universe began with Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008. Although locations and names may be shared across the different eras, they should not automatically be treated as one continuous storyline.

Story and Setting

Grand Theft Auto does not present its story in the same cinematic way as the later games in the franchise. Instead, players take control of a criminal character who works for different crime figures and organisations. The overall objective is to complete jobs, earn points and money, increase their criminal reputation and progress through the game’s stages.

The story takes place across three fictional American cities. Each city has its own environment, characters and criminal groups. The player begins in Liberty City and eventually works through the game’s other locations as they progress through the missions.

Rather than focusing on a single deeply developed protagonist, the game allows players to select from a group of eight playable characters. The selected character does not create a different storyline or change the central mission structure. The main experience revolves around the jobs assigned by criminal contacts and the player’s progress through the criminal underworld.

Liberty City

Liberty City is the first major location players encounter in Grand Theft Auto. It is inspired by New York City and features an urban environment filled with roads, buildings, traffic and different areas to explore. Players begin their criminal career here and take on jobs that introduce the basic mechanics of the game.

The city provides the setting for the opening part of the experience. Players must learn how to move through the streets, find vehicles, complete assignments and deal with the police. Liberty City would later return in several other Grand Theft Auto titles, although its design and fictional history differ between the franchise’s separate universes.

San Andreas

San Andreas is another major location in the original game. It is inspired by San Francisco and gives players a different urban environment from Liberty City. Its roads and layout create new driving challenges as players continue completing missions and building their score.

San Andreas became an especially important name in the franchise after the release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in 2004. However, the San Andreas featured in the 1997 game belongs to the 2D Universe and should not be confused with the larger state and its locations portrayed in the later 3D Universe game.

Vice City

Vice City is the third city featured in the original Grand Theft Auto. Inspired by Miami, it completes the game’s collection of fictional American locations. Like the other cities, it offers streets to explore, vehicles to steal and missions to complete.

Vice City later became the setting of one of the most popular games in the franchise, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002). The 1997 version, however, is part of the 2D Universe and has a different design and continuity from the later 3D-era city.

Gameplay: Driving, Missions and Open-World Freedom

The central gameplay of Grand Theft Auto combines driving, exploration, action and mission completion. Players are placed in a city environment and given opportunities to interact with the world in different ways. They can travel through the streets, enter vehicles, take on jobs and attempt to reach the score targets required to progress.

Unlike many games of its time that relied on a fixed sequence of levels, Grand Theft Auto offered a more open approach to completing objectives. Players could explore their surroundings and decide how to approach certain activities. This freedom was a major part of the game’s identity.

Stealing and Driving Vehicles

Vehicles are central to the original game’s experience. Players can take control of cars and other vehicles found throughout the cities and use them to travel between locations or complete missions. Different vehicles have different handling characteristics and speeds, making vehicle selection an important part of the gameplay.

Driving is not limited to simply reaching a destination. Missions may require players to locate a particular vehicle, escape from dangerous situations or use the streets to their advantage. The ability to take vehicles and move around the city became one of the defining elements of the Grand Theft Auto formula.

Completing Missions

Players receive assignments from criminal contacts and must complete objectives to earn points. These jobs can involve driving, pursuing targets, delivering vehicles and committing other criminal activities. Successfully completing missions helps players reach the score required to advance.

The mission structure gives the game its progression system. Each stage has a target score, and players must accumulate enough points to move forward. The missions are not presented through the elaborate cinematic cutscenes found in later games. Instead, the emphasis is placed on the objectives and the player’s ability to complete them.

Points and Money

The scoring system is one of the most important parts of Grand Theft Auto. The player’s score also functions as a money counter. Completing missions and performing certain activities increases the total, while spending money on items such as vehicle modifications can reduce the amount counted towards the target.

This creates an interesting balance between earning and spending. Players need to think about their progress because using money for optional purchases can make reaching the required score more difficult. The system connects the game’s financial element directly to its level progression.

Police and Wanted Levels

Criminal activity attracts police attention. Players who commit offences can find themselves pursued by law enforcement, creating additional pressure while they attempt to complete their objectives or escape. The police response is an important part of the game’s challenge.

Evading the police requires players to understand the streets, use vehicles effectively and find ways to get away from pursuing officers. This relationship between criminal activity and police response became one of the most recognisable gameplay features of the wider Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Weapons and Combat

Grand Theft Auto also includes weapons and combat. Players can engage in violent encounters while completing missions or interacting with the city. The game gives players the ability to use weapons as part of its criminal-action gameplay, although the presentation is much simpler than the combat systems found in later entries.

The combination of driving, shooting, mission objectives and police pursuits creates a gameplay experience that is not limited to racing or action alone. It brings several activities together inside a shared city environment.

Playable Characters

At the beginning of Grand Theft Auto, players can choose between eight different playable characters. This was an unusual option for the series compared with later games, which generally focused on specific protagonists with defined personalities and storylines.

The character selection in the original game is primarily a visual choice. Selecting a different character does not create a separate campaign or significantly change the missions. The selected character is the player’s representation in the game world while the central progression remains the same.

The game does not develop its playable characters with the detailed personal histories, dialogue and character relationships that became common in later Grand Theft Auto titles. Its focus remains on the missions, the criminal organisations and the player’s progress through the cities.

Important Characters and Criminal Organisations

Although the player character is largely defined by the player’s actions, several criminal figures and organisations are connected to the game’s missions. These contacts provide assignments and help shape the player’s progression through the criminal underworld.

Robert “Bubby” Seragliano

Robert “Bubby” Seragliano is associated with the Vercotti crime family and is one of the important criminal contacts in the game. The player begins working for his organisation in Liberty City. Bubby’s missions introduce the player to the criminal jobs and objectives that form the foundation of the game’s progression.

Uncle Fu

Uncle Fu is the leader of a Chinese gang involved in a conflict with a Latino gang. His presence is connected to the rivalries and criminal activity that form part of the game’s world. The different organisations help give the cities a sense of competing groups and criminal interests.

El Burro

El Burro leads the Latino gang involved in the conflict with Uncle Fu’s organisation. The rivalry between these groups contributes to the criminal environment and provides context for some of the game’s missions.

Samuel Deever

Samuel Deever is a corrupt police officer associated with Vice City. His character adds another layer to the game’s criminal setting by connecting law enforcement with the underworld. His role reflects the game’s broader presentation of a city where crime and corruption are part of everyday life.

Brother Marcus

Brother Marcus leads the Brotherhood of Jah Army of Love and is described as a major drug dealer in Vice City. The player eventually works for his organisation as the story progresses. His role is connected to the later part of the game’s criminal career.

How Grand Theft Auto (1997) Progresses

The game’s progression is built around completing missions and reaching score targets. Players do not follow a single long cinematic storyline with a modern mission menu. Instead, the experience is divided into stages associated with the three cities.

The player begins by working for criminal contacts in Liberty City. As the player completes assignments and accumulates points, the game moves forward through its different stages. The objectives encourage players to learn the map, understand the vehicle controls and find effective ways to complete missions.

Later, the player becomes involved with other criminal organisations and continues working through the game’s locations. The overall progression eventually leads to the final part of the experience in Vice City.

The ending follows the player’s final work for the Rastafarians and their leader, Brother Marcus. After completing the required work, the player receives a large payout and is told that they will not see him again. This brings the player’s criminal career in the game to its conclusion.

Soundtrack and Radio Stations

Music is an important part of the original Grand Theft Auto experience. The game introduced a radio system that plays music while the player is driving vehicles. This feature helped create a more distinctive atmosphere and gave players something to listen to as they travelled through the cities.

The original game includes seven radio stations and a police-band audio track. The available stations depend on the vehicle being driven, so not every vehicle provides access to every station. Music can change as players enter different vehicles, adding variety to the driving experience.

The soundtrack was composed by Colin Anderson, Craig Conner and Grant Middleton. The main theme is credited to the fictional band Da Shootaz and was composed by Craig Conner. The music includes different styles and helps establish the game’s energetic, urban atmosphere.

The radio system was an important early feature of the franchise. Later Grand Theft Auto games expanded this idea with larger station selections, presenters, licensed music, advertisements and additional radio content. The first game established the basic concept of listening to music while driving around the open city.

Development: From Race’n’Chase to Grand Theft Auto

Before becoming Grand Theft Auto, the project was known as Race’n’Chase. Development began at DMA Design in Dundee, Scotland, in 1995. The original concept was different from the criminal-focused experience that eventually reached players.

Race’n’Chase was initially designed around police officers pursuing criminals. Players were supposed to take part in police chases rather than build a career as a criminal. However, the original concept did not provide the kind of entertaining experience the development team wanted.

During development, the idea evolved. The team explored a different approach in which players could take the role of criminals and move around a city with greater freedom. This change became a defining decision in the game’s development and helped create the identity of Grand Theft Auto.

The development process was not straightforward. The project experienced delays and changes, and there were attempts to stop its development. The team continued working on the game and focused on creating a world where players could choose how to approach activities rather than being restricted to one fixed path.

The result was a game built around open-ended driving, missions, crime and exploration. The change from a police-chase concept to a criminal sandbox experience proved to be a major turning point for the project.

Controversy Surrounding the Game

Grand Theft Auto attracted controversy even before its release because of its violent content and the activities players could perform. The game allowed players to steal vehicles, attack pedestrians and engage in criminal behaviour. These elements led to public discussion about violence in video games and whether the game should be restricted or banned.

The controversy became part of the game’s publicity. Publicist Max Clifford was involved in a marketing campaign that used the negative attention surrounding the game to attract interest. Discussions about the game’s content helped it become widely recognised even before many players had experienced it.

The debate surrounding Grand Theft Auto also reflected a wider discussion about the relationship between video games and real-world behaviour. The original game was one of the early titles to attract significant public attention because of its open-ended criminal activities.

As the franchise grew, controversy remained a recurring part of its public image. However, the original game’s importance is not limited to its controversial content. Its open-world design, driving mechanics and mission structure helped establish the foundation for the series that followed.

Graphics and Visual Presentation

The visual presentation of Grand Theft Auto is very different from what players expect from modern games. The original release uses an overhead camera, relatively small character and vehicle sprites, and a city environment viewed from above. The player’s character and vehicles move through streets that are represented from this perspective.

Because the camera is positioned above the action, players can see the surrounding roads and nearby activity. This approach makes it easier to understand the layout of the streets, but it does not provide the close-up character animations or cinematic camera angles that became common in later entries.

The graphics were designed around the hardware and technology available during the 1990s. The game’s visual style may appear basic today, but it was closely connected to the kind of gameplay the developers wanted to create. The overhead view allowed players to navigate the cities and interact with the environment without requiring a fully 3D world.

Multiplayer Mode

Grand Theft Auto is primarily known for its single-player experience, but the original computer version also included multiplayer support. This provided an additional way to experience the game’s city environments and action beyond the main solo progression.

The multiplayer feature is part of the original game’s historical appeal, although it is not comparable to the large-scale online systems introduced in later games such as Grand Theft Auto Online. The original experience was designed for the technology and network capabilities available at the time.

Reception and Reviews

When Grand Theft Auto was released, it received mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers criticised its graphics and controls, particularly when compared with other games available at the time. The overhead presentation and technical limitations were not appealing to every player.

However, the game’s freedom, entertainment value, sound design and open-ended gameplay received praise. The ability to drive around cities, take on criminal assignments and approach activities in different ways gave players an experience that stood apart from many more linear games.

The game also became a commercial success. Its popularity helped establish the Grand Theft Auto name and encouraged the development of additional titles. Over time, the original release became recognised as an important early example of the open-world crime genre.

Its reputation has grown with the success of the franchise. While later games introduced more detailed worlds, deeper characters and cinematic storytelling, the original Grand Theft Auto remains important for the ideas it introduced and the direction it gave to the series.

What Made the First Grand Theft Auto Different?

Grand Theft Auto was not simply another driving game. Its combination of vehicle theft, missions, crime, police pursuits and open-ended city exploration created a different kind of experience. Players were not restricted to racing around a track or completing a single sequence of action stages.

The freedom to move around the city and interact with the environment was central to the game’s appeal. Players could choose vehicles, explore streets, take on assignments and decide how to approach different situations. The score-based progression gave these activities a clear objective while still allowing room for experimentation.

Another important feature was the way the game combined several gameplay elements. Driving was essential, but it existed alongside combat, exploration, mission objectives and police chases. This combination helped create the foundation for the franchise’s identity.

How the Original Game Influenced Later GTA Titles

The success of Grand Theft Auto helped establish a formula that would be developed across later entries. The original game’s three cities, vehicle-based gameplay, criminal missions, police response and radio system became important parts of the series’ identity.

Grand Theft Auto 2 continued the top-down style in 1999 and expanded the original concept. Grand Theft Auto III then introduced a fully three-dimensional world in 2001, changing the way players experienced the franchise. It retained the broad ideas of open-world exploration and criminal missions while presenting them through a new camera perspective and a more cinematic approach.

Later titles expanded the scale of the world, the number of activities, the depth of the characters and the complexity of the missions. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City introduced a more developed story and setting, while Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas offered a much larger environment and additional gameplay systems.

Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V continued to develop the franchise with more detailed environments, advanced technology and larger narrative experiences. Despite these changes, the core idea of exploring a city, driving vehicles and completing missions can be traced back to the original game.

Grand Theft Auto (1997) vs Later GTA Games

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and London 1961

The original Grand Theft Auto was followed by two related releases set in London during the 1960s. These were Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and Grand Theft Auto: London 1961. They are connected to the original game’s 2D-era gameplay and expand the series beyond its three American cities.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 was released in 1999 as an expansion for the original game. It introduced a new setting inspired by London and featured vehicles, missions and an environment based on the city. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 followed as an additional expansion and provided more content connected to the London setting.

These releases are important when looking at the history of the 2D Universe. They build upon the original game’s gameplay rather than introducing the fully 3D presentation that would arrive with Grand Theft Auto III.

Is Grand Theft Auto (1997) Worth Exploring Today?

For players who are familiar with modern Grand Theft Auto games, the 1997 release can feel like a very different experience. It does not have the cinematic storytelling, detailed character animations, large 3D environments or extensive customisation systems found in newer titles. Its controls and presentation also reflect the design conventions of the 1990s.

However, the original game is worth exploring for anyone interested in the history of the franchise. It shows how the series began and how its developers combined driving, crime, missions and freedom of movement into one experience. It also provides useful context for understanding how the gameplay evolved from a top-down design into the modern open-world format.

The game’s greatest strength is the simplicity of its central idea. Players are given a city, vehicles, criminal assignments and the freedom to approach the experience in different ways. That formula became the foundation for a series that would grow considerably in scale and popularity.

Its limitations are also easy to understand today. The camera can make navigation feel less immediate than in later games, the character presentation is basic and the mission structure can feel repetitive to players accustomed to modern open-world design. Nevertheless, these limitations do not remove its historical importance.

Final Verdict

Grand Theft Auto (1997) is an important release in video game history because it introduced the core identity of one of the most recognisable gaming franchises. Its top-down perspective, three fictional cities, criminal missions, vehicle theft, police pursuits and radio stations created a distinctive open-world experience for its time.

It may not offer the visual detail or storytelling of later Grand Theft Auto games, but it established the ideas that future entries would expand. The transition from Race’n’Chase to a criminal sandbox game was a defining moment in its development, and the result laid the groundwork for the series’ future success.

For longtime fans, the original game offers a look at the franchise’s beginnings. For newer players, it provides an opportunity to understand how the Grand Theft Auto formula developed before the move to fully 3D environments. Its place in the 2D Universe makes it an essential part of the series’ history.

Grand Theft Auto (1997) Gameplay Videos

Watch gameplay from the first Grand Theft Auto and see how its top-down perspective, driving mechanics, city environments and mission-based progression compare with later games in the franchise.

GRAND THEFT AUTO 1 – 1997 : Full Game – All 90 Missions And 70 Kill Frenzies

Grand Theft Auto (1997) – Complete Gameplay Walkthrough

This video is a complete walkthrough of the original Grand Theft Auto game from 1997. It features a top-down view of the action as the player navigates through three big fictional cities, working their way up in the criminal world. The gameplay focuses on completing various missions for different bosses while exploring an open world, dodging the police, and causing plenty of chaos along the way.

Mission Highlights (up to the current timestamp)

• Early Jobs (0:00 – 0:20): The player starts by picking up a car and completing simple introductory tasks in the city to earn their first points.
• The Bike Run (4:25 – 5:00): A fun, fast-paced mission where the player has to maneuver a bike through heavy traffic to meet a contact.
• Car Bombs (27:34 – 28:00): A tense mission involving planting explosives to take out a target vehicle before the timer runs out.
• Police Escapes (31:00 – 32:00): High-stakes moments where the player must evade the police after completing a crime to successfully finish the job.
• Target Elimination (45:30 – 46:00): A cinematic moment where the player tracks down a target to finish a specific task for their crime boss.

Since this is a very long video, it covers all 90 missions and 70 kill frenzies from the full game, showing the entire journey from a street-level criminal to a feared boss.

Grand Theft Auto 1 | Full Game | No Commentary | PS1 (ePSXe) | 4K

Grand Theft Auto (1997) – PlayStation 1 Full Walkthrough

This video is a no-commentary full walkthrough of the original Grand Theft Auto (1997) on the PlayStation 1. It showcases the game’s classic top-down, open-world gameplay across its initial cities. The player navigates through various criminal missions, often initiated via phone booths, engaging in high-speed chases, heists, and combat while evading law enforcement.

Mission Highlights (So Far):

• Early Criminal Contracts (0:00:51 – 0:08:50): The player begins by completing various introductory tasks, including delivering stolen vehicles, acting as a getaway driver, and performing basic hits for local criminal contacts in the first city.
• Escalating Violence (0:09:42 – 0:15:34): Missions become more dangerous, involving more complex objectives like destroying property, executing targeted individuals, and managing higher “wanted” levels with the police.
• Advanced Heists and Sabotage (0:19:08 – 0:28:42): The missions shift toward more strategic tasks, such as planting bombs on target vehicles, conducting bank-related jobs, and navigating complex bridge crossings while under fire.
• Mid-Game Progression (0:30:08 – 0:41:17): The gameplay focuses on more demanding tasks, including tailing specific cars, high-speed cargo delivery, and coordinated hits that require precise timing to avoid failure.
• Complex Logistics (0:45:34 – 0:59:51): The current segment shows the player handling increasingly chaotic situations, including dealing with armored transport vehicles, managing rival gang interference, and completing multi-stage missions under strict time pressure.

GTA 1 – Full Game Walkthrough [All Missions]

Grand Theft Auto (1997) Full Movie Walkthrough / Guide

Grand Theft Auto (1997) Full Movie Walkthrough / Guide video with all 75 Phone Missions and Secret Missions – 1080p Full HD [Played on PC].

• 0:00 Introduction

LIBERTY CITY – CHAPTER 1: GANSTA BANG

• 0:42 South Park Phone #1
• 3:31 South Park Phone #2
• 6:01 South Park Phone #3
• 9:47 South Park Phone #4
• 13:15 Vehicle Mission: Counthash (West Fort Law)
• 16:30 Vehicle Mission: Cossie (Northeast Island City)
• 17:41 Vehicle Mission: Bulldog (South Tellberg)
• 20:32 Vehicle Mission: Beast GTS (Southwest Island Heights)
• 22:29 Vehicle Mission: Coach (Northeast Fort Law)
• 26:15 Vehicle Mission: Tanker (Northwest Law Island)
• 28:19 Vehicle Mission: Taxi (North Park)
• 31:48 Gangsta Bang Ending – Cabot Cutscene

LIBERTY CITY – CHAPTER 2: HEIST ALMIGHTY

• 32:18 Heist Almighty Intro Mission
• 36:09 North Fort Law Phone #1
• 39:59 North Fort Law Phone #2
• 40:55 North Fort Law Phone #3
• 44:22 North Fort Law Phone #4
• 49:22 Vehicle Mission: Bulldog (East Guernsey City)
• 52:09 Vehicle Mission: Penetrator (West No Law)
• 58:04 Vehicle Mission: Porka Turbo (Southwest Kings)
• 1:00:20 Vehicle Mission: Itali (Southwest Estoria)
• 1:03:32 Vehicle Mission: Mundano (West Hackenslash)
• 1:07:18 Vehicle Mission: Cossie (Southeast Brix)
• 1:10:40 Vehicle Mission: Stallion (North Hackenslash)
• 1:14:36 Vehicle Mission: 4×4 (South New Guernsey)
• 1:21:41 Heist Almighty Ending – Robert “Bubby” Seragliano Cutscene

SAN ANDREAS – CHAPTER 1: MANDARIN MAYHEM

• 1:22:05 Mandarin Mayhem Intro Mission
• 1:23:29 West Market Phone #1
• 1:30:51 West Market Phone #2
• 1:36:05 West Market Phone #3
• 1:52:57 West Market Phone #4
• 2:00:03 Sunview Phone #1
• 2:08:53 Sunview Phone #2
• 2:15:41 Sunview Phone #3
• 2:21:20 Sunview Phone #4
• 2:27:24 Mandarin Mayhem Bonus Mission
• 2:32:34 Mandarin Mayhem Ending – Uncle Fu Cutscene

SAN ANDREAS – CHAPTER 2: TEQUILA SLAMMER

• 2:33:48 North Telephone Hill Phone #1
• 2:40:53 North Telephone Hill Phone #2
• 2:47:32 North Telephone Hill Phone #3
• 2:59:44 North Telephone Hill Phone #4
• 3:10:32 Northeast Sailors Wharf Phone #1
• 3:16:39 Northeast Sailors Wharf Phone #2
• 3:25:06 Northeast Sailors Wharf Phone #3
• 3:29:50 Northeast Sailors Wharf Phone #4
• 3:34:53 Tequila Slammer Bonus Mission
• 3:40:33 Tequila Slammer Ending – El Burro Cutscene

VICE CITY – CHAPTER 1: BENT COP BLUES

• 3:42:19 Vice Beach Phone #1
• 3:53:09 Vice Beach Phone #2
• 3:56:34 Vice Beach Phone #3
• 4:01:24 Vice Beach Phone #4
• 4:04:29 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #1
• 4:09:38 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #2
• 4:13:10 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #3
• 4:16:40 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #4
• 4:21:18 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #1
• 4:27:03 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #2
• 4:36:54 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #3
• 4:41:01 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #4
• 4:53:53 West Banana Grove Phone
• 4:58:22 South Vice Beach Phone
• 5:07:05 Northeast Richman Heights
• 5:12:43 Northwest Vice Shores Phone
• 5:17:08 Bent Cop Blues Ending – Samuel Deever Cutscene

VICE CITY – CHAPTER 2: RASTA BLASTA

• 5:17:43 Rasta Blasta Intro Mission
• 5:25:02 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #1
• 5:34:09 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #2
• 5:38:56 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #3
• 5:40:49 Southwest Greek Heights Phone #4
• 5:43:52 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #1
• 5:47:10 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #2
• 5:51:20 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #3
• 5:54:04 Southwest Vice Shores Phone #4
• 5:58:46 Vice Beach Phone #1
• 6:01:03 Vice Beach Phone #2
• 6:03:14 Vice Beach Phone #3
• 6:06:10 Vice Beach Phone #4
• 6:08:58 Southwest Felicity Phone
• 6:15:48 West Vice Beach Phone
• 6:24:54 Southeast Miramire Phone
• 6:27:42 Rasta Blasta Ending – Brother Marcus Cutscene

• 6:28:07 Game Credits

Played, recorded & edited by: Pluton_GTA

GTA 1 Longplay: Full Playthrough 100% | No Commentary PC 4K

Grand Theft Auto – GTA 1 (1997) Longplay – Full Playthrough / Walkthrough

Grand Theft Auto – GTA 1 (1997) Longplay – Full Playthrough / Walkthrough 100% Completion: All Missions, All Secrets | No Commentary PC DOS 4K – Experience the ultimate retro gaming nostalgia.

Controls: Keyboard only ⌨

Video Quality: 2880×2160

Version: Max Pack (DOSBox)

TIMESTAMPS:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:33 Liberty City 1: Gangsta Bang
• 25:35 Liberty City 2: Heist Almighty
• 58:27 San Andreas 1: Mandarin Mayhem
• 1:45:13 San Andreas 2: Tequila Slammer
• 2:29:00 Vice City 1: Bent Cop Blues
• 3:36:48 Vice City 2: Rasta Blasta
• 4:23:17 Credits

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was Grand Theft Auto first released?

Grand Theft Auto was first released for MS-DOS and Windows in Europe on 28 November 1997. The PlayStation version followed in December 1997 in Europe, and the Game Boy Color version arrived in 1999.

2. Who developed the original Grand Theft Auto?

The original Grand Theft Auto was developed by DMA Design, a Scottish video game development studio based in Dundee. The studio later became known as Rockstar North.

3. Who published Grand Theft Auto (1997)?

BMG Interactive was the original publisher. ASC Games published the North American PC release, while Take-Two Interactive handled the North American PlayStation release.

4. What genre is Grand Theft Auto (1997)?

It is an action-adventure game with open-world, crime and driving elements. Its gameplay combines vehicle theft, missions, exploration, combat and police pursuits.

5. Why is the first GTA called a top-down game?

It is called a top-down game because the camera looks down at the city from above. Players see their character, vehicles and surrounding streets from an overhead perspective rather than from behind the character.

6. Which cities are included in Grand Theft Auto (1997)?

The game features three fictional American cities: Liberty City, San Andreas and Vice City. They are inspired by New York City, San Francisco and Miami respectively.

7. Is Grand Theft Auto (1997) part of the 2D Universe?

Yes. The original Grand Theft Auto belongs to the 2D Universe of the franchise, alongside Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 and Grand Theft Auto 2.

8. How many playable characters are in the original GTA?

Players can choose between eight playable characters at the beginning of the game. The selection does not create separate storylines or substantially change the gameplay.

9. Does the original Grand Theft Auto have multiplayer?

Yes. The original computer release includes multiplayer support in addition to its main single-player experience. It is different from the modern online multiplayer experience offered by Grand Theft Auto Online.

10. What was Grand Theft Auto originally called during development?

The game was originally developed under the name Race’n’Chase. The concept initially focused on police pursuits before evolving into a game in which players controlled criminals.

11. What games followed the original Grand Theft Auto?

The original game was followed by Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 in 1999. Grand Theft Auto 2 was also released in 1999.

12. Is Grand Theft Auto (1997) connected to Grand Theft Auto III?

Both games belong to the same franchise, but they are part of separate fictional universes. The original game belongs to the 2D Universe, while Grand Theft Auto III begins the 3D Universe.

13. Who composed the music for Grand Theft Auto (1997)?

The music was composed by Colin Anderson, Craig Conner and Grant Middleton. The game’s main theme is credited to the fictional band Da Shootaz.

14. What platforms was the original Grand Theft Auto released on?

The game was released for MS-DOS, Windows, PlayStation and Game Boy Color. Different versions arrived in different regions between 1997 and 1999.

15. Why is the original Grand Theft Auto important?

It introduced the franchise’s core combination of open-ended city exploration, driving, criminal missions and police pursuits. These ideas became the foundation for the later Grand Theft Auto games.