After lots of speculation, today it was confirmed that definitive versions of the first three 3D GTA titles will be releasing on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. The news comes just weeks before the 20th anniversary of GTA III, one of the most memorable titles of the early 2000's as well as the first 3D GTA game.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is coming to #NintendoSwitch later this year! pic.twitter.com/kBHqkcfc52
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 8, 2021
The games included in the trilogy are the three games that put Rockstar Games on the map and helped define the PS2 era of videogames. They are as follows:
- GTA III (2001): The first 3D entry of the series, GTA III has silent protagonist Claude embark on a revenge story while doing odd jobs throughout Liberty City (based on New York City).
- GTA: Vice City (2002): Set in 1986, Tommy Vercetti takes over different enterprises to become the underground ruler of Vice City (based on Miami).
- GTA: San Andreas (2004): Set in 1992, Carl "CJ" Johnson returns to the fictional state of San Andreas (based on Western California/Nevada) to help bring the Grove Street gang back to power. Holds the distinct honor of being the best-selling game for the best-selling video game system in history (PS2).
It is currently unknown as to whether these will be complete reimaginings of the classic games or just simple touch ups. However, Rockstar Games has stated that all current versions of these games will be removed from digital storefronts next week. If you were planning on picking up a Steam copy of the original versions of one of these games, now is the time to get them.
The release of the trilogy's Definitive Edition marks the first time in history that 3D GTA games will be available on Nintendo systems. Past GTA outings on Nintendo consoles were limited to a Game Boy Color ports of the first 2D games (Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto II), GTA: Advance on the Game Boy Advance, and GTA: Chinatown Wars on the Nintendo DS. Hopefully the supply of Rockstar Games titles for Nintendo systems doesn't end here, as the company has many other hit games such as the Red Dead series, Bully, and all of the later GTA entries.
Author's Note: While I'm not letting my hopes get too high since this could just be a minor graphic update, I'm still super excited to play these games on Switch! What are your thoughts on this recent news? Let us know in the comments below!