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[JORMBO]

After months of rumors and speculation, Kotaku has learned from sources that Rockstar Games may be remastering three classic Grand Theft Auto games. Currently, it appears these games will be released later this fall for a multitude of platforms, including the portable Nintendo Switch.

For the past year, rumors have swirled on Twitter, Reddit, and various message boards that Rockstar is working on remakes or remasters of classic, PS2-era Grand Theft Auto titles. These rumors only grew in popularity as Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, used DMCA takedowns to remove classic GTA mods from the internet while announcing that the publisher had three remastered games in development. While Kotaku can’t confirm what all of those teased remastered titles specifically are, we can confirm via corroborating details from three sources that GTA remasters are currently in the final stages of development.

According to these sources, Rockstar is actively developing remastered versions of Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. All three of these games are being remastered using Unreal Engine and will be a mix of “new and old graphics.” One source who claims to have seen a snippet of the games in action said that the visuals reminded them of a heavily-modded version of a classic GTA title.

 

[Stephen Curry]

Unreal Engine? Seems weird to not use their in house engine.

I guess games in their RAGE engine have a distinct feel and look that is different than those classic titles. Maybe UE is being used to remain closer to the original games.

 

[kingwingin]

Sounds weird, but I'm in!

 

[Unknown?]

Thought you meant 1, 2, and London. Darn!

 

[Skull-Knight]

Unreal engine? LOL

 

[RyRy93]

Sources are GTAforums and a recent GAF post showing that Take Two are remastering 3 unannounced titles, the UE4 part is new I think.

I wonder what a mix of new and old graphics means, the fact that they'll be on mobile isn't promising unless that's referring to cloud gaming.

 

[Kuranghi]

It mentions UE and says "Rockstar is working on..." but they always use their in-house engine don't they? Could that mean its another developer doing it for them?

I'd like to see a UE version of GTA but sounds like kind of a nightmare of bad perf and stuttering given the issues of the latest (not even open world) UE4 games like Jedi Fallen order, but that could've been because I've read they made that game really quickly.

 

[BigbyTheSheriff]

UE is very scalable, so I'm not surprised they're using this engine.

 

[GymWolf]

They can use any engine they want, but i want my euphoria engine intact or i'm gonna riot.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Not sure I want butchered soundtracks and vertical censorship.

 

[Kadve]

i must be getting old, by classic i first though they where talking about the 2d games (1/London+2)...

(edit, just saw that all of those have been delisted from steam, any idea as for why?)

 

[bender]

Get your ducks in a row and restore the music licensing in Vice City and I'll buy your game.

 

[MiguelItUp]

Interesting stuff. Really curious to see how this all pans out before getting excited.

 

[NeoGiffer]

 

[MasterCornholio]

I definitely wouldn't mind it if it's updated enough. The music on the other hand could take a huge hit.

 

[MAtgS]

Holy shit, they really are coming to Switch! Maybe now I'll actually buy these!

 

[MastaKiiLA]

I'd be onboard with this. Sad that remasters are so popular, but nostalgia is a cruel mistress.

 

[AlteredForms]

Thought we were talking about GTAII and company, the most underrated game in the entire franchise.

 

[mortal]

Another week, another GTA rumor.

 

[stn]

Would be amazing if they modernize the aiming and shooting game play, that's all I want.

 

[LordCBH]

Would be amazing if they modernize the aiming and shooting game play, that's all I want.

Same. At the very least hope they fix the camera in 3 and Vice city.

 

[SCB3]

Going from Rage engine to Unreal is kinda weird for Rockstar who usually use in house engines

but hey, VC is one of my fav games of all time, so I’m already in, I do wish the PSP games also were included, they were great and needed a touch up from the PS2 ports tbh

 

[amigastar]

Somehow this sounds like a phony to me. Unreal Engine? Nah.

 

[THE DUCK]

And at the speed they are working on the gta v remaster, it will be our in 2026.

 

[Enjay]

Anyone that believes this dm me now I have the limited collector's edition with a model of liberty city early and platinumed them already will sell it for retail.

 

[GriffinCorp]

Day one! This would be so epic. I don’t even care what they charge, I’m getting it. Childhood memories here I come.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

Seeing a Mobile version listed kind of tempers my expectations as to how big of an upgrade this will be, but I'm excited nonetheless

 

[JerryinSoCal]

I hope they update the gameplay so it feels more modern and less stiff, I played San Andreas a couple of years ago and it felt awful compared to the more modern rockstar games.

 

[SpiceRacz]

Can't wait to cruise the streets of Vice City again.

 

[FUBARx89]

One day we might have GTA IV. One day.

 

[WitchHunter]

GTA6? wEN? ETA?

 

[sncvsrtoip]

I was hyped it will be gta3 series with rdr2 graphics but probably will be close to originals so waste of time

 

[The Lunch Legend]

I wanna be skeptical, but it is Wario64 tweeting, so there might be some real truth here.

One day we might have GTA IV. One day.

Oy, GTA IV still looks damn good as is. What more could you want?

 

[hemo memo]

Day 1? Day 1.

 

[kyliethicc]

This will just be like Super Mario 3D All Stars for Switch.

Lazy basic ports. "4K60" and $60.

 

[Bladed Thesis]

I just want to hear Lazlo be funny on the radio again.

 

[Maximusz]

 

[The Lunch Legend]

This will just be like Super Mario 3D All Stars for Switch.

Lazy basic ports. "4K60" and $60.

 

[Represent.]

Imagine being hyped for PS2 games in 2021.

Where the fuck is GTA 6

 

[MatrixReloaded101]

I would have preferred a next gen Grand Theft Auto San Andreas remake if they are going to drag their feet on GTA 6

 

[Interfectum]

A little confused how this can be labeled a 'remaster' when they are using an entirely new engine. They must be going out of their way to mimic the old trilogy... hopefully the update the shitty controls.

 

[Fake]

Rumors everywhere. They could mention the first RDR too.

 

[ShirAhava]

I'd be more hyped if someone didn't just port these games to the Vita I've been having a blast!

 

[The Lunch Legend]

I'd be more hyped if someone didn't just port these games to the Vita I've been having a blast!

 

[HotPocket69]

Thought you meant 1, 2, and London. Darn!

No he meant the good GTA games. You know, like the ones that people actually enjoy playing.

 

[FingerBang]

Remastering? Wouldn't that count as a remake? I mean, it's basically what happened with Crash Bandicoot Nsane Trilogy

 

[Sephimoth]

About time. Although I fear the soundtracks will be ruined.

 

[Kerotan]

I platinumed gta 3 and vice city on ps4. So I'll probably hold off for the San Andreas remaster.

They're remasters not remakes so won't be modern gta level graphics or gameplay.

When they're finished sounds like they'll remaster the original red dead redemption. Hopefully when the current team finish gta v remaster they move swiftly onto RDR2 remastered.

 

[assurdum]

I try to imagine the trilogy graphic heavily remodded with UE4 but I smell something similar to a dogshit.

 

[theHFIC]

Plot Twist: All the in-game music is public domain.