Retro Gaming Australia

Grand Theft Auto 2 is sort of the odd duck in the series, set in the near future (from its 1999 release date) in a town called “Anywhere, USA”. The player must balance their allegiance between gangs while completing missions. Unlike future GTA games, the gang alignment system is not tied to the plot – players can tip the gang favour stakes by simply murdering members of the opposing gang to gain favour. If you’re looking to play it, go for the PC version.

Grand Theft Auto V might have been delayed, but that doesn’t automatically stop the other games in the series from existing. Grand Theft Auto 2 proved to be quite popular on release, but I sorely recommend avoiding the console versions and playing the PC version. It’s just that much better.

To commemorate Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’s 10th anniversary, Rockstar will soon be re-releasing the game for select iOS and Android devices. The Anniversary Edition of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City will feature improved graphics, a touch interface and other such enhancements.

Further celebrations for the occasion include the release of previously unseen artwork and new anniversary trailer showcasing iconic moments and music from the game, a limited run of collectable items purchasable through Rockstar Warehouse, and online giveaways.

If you are quick, you can also snap up Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on iOS and Android for 99 cents.

Note: Grand Theft Auto 3: Australian Edition for iOS is still priced at $5.49.

Did you know that at one stage, Bungie was owned by Rockstar? They released only one game together before Bungie was snapped up by Microsoft, a rather interesting third person shooter called Oni. To say Oni was heavily influenced by Ghost in the Shell is an understatement, but its mix of melee combat and shooting action didn’t come together quite as well as hoped.

Sony has revealed via their PlayStation Blog podcast that Grand Theft Auto III will be released on the US PlayStation Network as part of the PS2 Classics range this coming Tuesday (July 31st) for $US9.99.

Unlike the 10th anniversary editions released for iOS and Android last year, this version will boast no upgrades of any kind – it is quite literally the PS2 version.

Still, it makes a nice break from Sony playing loose with the definition of “classic” when it comes to PS2 digital releases.

Max Payne was a surprise hit in 2001 thanks to its liberal use of bullet time, which was popular due to the relatively recent success of The Matrix. The game is pretty damn awesome, due largely to the fantastic atmosphere. Shame about the nightmare levels, though.

Rockstar are offering a free copy of Midnight Club II to members of the official Rockstar Group on Steam.

Ensure you sign up prior to May 15 (that’s tomorrow – so hurry!) and if your Steam account has at least one successful purchase, gift or retail registration to its name, expect to see Midnight Club II in your library by the end of the month.

Hooray for free stuff.

Rockstar has announced that Max Payne Mobile, an optimised port of Remedy’s neo-noir classic Max Payne for mobile devices, will be hitting iOS on April 12. Android owners will see the title two weeks later, on April 26.

Max Payne Mobile will feature some degree of control customisation, high-resolution textures, HD graphics, and connectivity to the Rockstar Games Social Club.

Can’t believe it has been seven years already.

The Warriors is a video game based on the 1979 film of the same name. Without being tied to a release date for a film project (though a remake was planned at one point), Rockstar Toronto had ample time to flesh out the game and its mechanics, making it arguably one of the best licensed titles out there.

Ah, the top down days.

Grand Theft Auto: Director’s Cut is a compilation pack which includes the original Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto: London 1969. It does not have the PC exclusive London 1961 pack.