To say that Grand Theft Auto III is a beloved classic would be a bit of an understatement. Even though the game is now twenty years old, its legacy hasn't faded in the least. Currently, rumors are running wild over a possible remake or remaster of this legendary title.
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But why wait? For such an old game, there are actually a fair amount of mods available to download. Many of these mods seek to remaster the game on modern hardware, making it feel like a more contemporary experience. Although mods aren't perfect, this collection of add-ons should help tide fans over until an official remaster is actually announced.
Mod Loader
Before diving into the modding list proper, it's worth mentioning a handy tool that should help relieve future headaches. Players can always install mods the old-fashioned way by dropping their contents into the correct data folder. However, it's easy to make mistakes with this method.
Fans looking to update Grand Theft Auto III should seriously consider using Mod Loader. It offers a much simpler way of installing and uninstalling a large number of mods for the game. Nevertheless, it's still highly recommended to read the instructions for each mod to ensure everything runs properly. Games this old, after all, can sometimes be finicky.
12 Widescreen Fix
The first and simplest mod fans should consider installing is Widescreen Fix. Grand Theft Auto III released in 2001, several years before 1920 x 1080 resolution became the norm. As such, trying to play GTA III on a modern PC is frustrating, as the game won't fill the screen naturally.
The Widescreen Fix mod reworks the aspect ratio to make the game fit comfortably on an HD screen. The HUD and field-of-view are scaled properly as well, so nothing appears stretched. Installing this mod is a good first step toward making the game look better.
11 Silent Patch
Obviously, a game as old as GTA III isn't going to get an official update from the developers to fix a bug. The game still has its fair share of problems on PC, especially when attempting to run it on modern hardware. Luckily, fans need not look far for a quality patch.
The Silent Patch fixes plenty of problems. Most importantly, the patch helps eliminate irritations such as mouse sensitivity and pathfinding. In terms of graphics, the Silent Patch allows the game to run smoothly on a higher FPS and contains a more precise frame limiter. Any remastering effort would be remiss if bug fixing isn't taken into consideration.
10 GTA III Refresh
Diehard fans of GTA III probably know the game like the back of their hand. After all, the map of Liberty City is pitifully small by contemporary open-world standards. After a few (hundred) playthroughs, it's fairly easy to memorize every nook-and-cranny of the city.
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GTA III Refresh is an interesting mod in that it strikes a balance between a remaster and a remake. On the one hand, it updates certain aspects of the game, such as the textures. On the other, it adds brand new material in the form of buildings, vehicles, sounds, and an updated wanted system.
9 GTA 3 Natural HD Textures
When discussing a remaster of any sort, graphics tend to be at the forefront of the conversation. Visually, there's no getting around the fact that GTA III is a relic. Mods, of course, can help rectify that problem admirably. Keep in mind, however, that no graphics mod will make this game look absolutely perfect.
In any case, one of the better graphics packs for this game is GTA 3 Natural HD Textures. This mod gives the environment a sharp, clean look while making everything generally easier on the eyes.
8 HQ Textures
If the previous mod fails to satisfy, HQ Textures provides an excellent alternative. This mod is incredibly comprehensive and one of the more highly rated modifications for GTA III. Over 150 files are edited, with the result being much crisper visuals. Other details, like shadows and reflections, become more noticeable as well.
7 GTA 3 Director's Cut
GTA 3 Director's Cut is yet another respectable all-in-one package that enhances the game's overall experience. "Enhance" is the operative word here. According to the mod authors, the general feeling of the vanilla game is maintained. No drastic changes are implemented, just natural improvements.
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Several of the mod's features include upgrades to the character models, pedestrians, and various map tweaks. There are also twenty new car additions. Be sure to read the instructions to this mod carefully, as it requires the installation of other modifications.
6 Grand Theft Auto 3 Overhaul
Similar to GTA III Refresh, this mod adds a slew of new features not present in the vanilla game. Given the appropriate title of Grand Theft Auto 3 Overhaul, this mod introduces a few worthwhile quality-of-life improvements to the antiquated gameplay.
In addition to enhanced graphics, Grand Theft Auto 3 Overhaul incorporates new buildings and areas to explore. Interestingly, it also gives Claude the ability to swim, which means entering a few feet of water no longer equals instant death. Although it lacks a little polish, it's not a bad mod to try.
5 MoveShoot
Of course, remasters aren't just about graphics. GTA III is notoriously cumbersome when it comes to gameplay. Getting used to the controls again can feel like a shock after playing newer titles in the series. When discussing mods that make the game better, it's important not to ignore gameplay tweaks.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the game is Claude's inability to move as he fires certain weapons, like the shotgun. For players used to maneuvering while shooting their guns, this limitation is grossly felt. Fortunately, MoveShoot fixes that problem by allowing the protagonist to move while firing.
4 Autosave & Stuff
For the older Grand Theft Auto titles, failing a mission is a dangerous business, not to mention annoying. Vanilla GTA III possesses no autosaving functionality whatsoever. If a mission is unsuccessful, it must be repeated in its entirety. That's a feature most gamers today aren't willing to deal with.
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As its name suggests, the Autosave & Stuff mod eliminates this annoyance. Quite simply, it adds an autosave function with the click of a keyboard button. Now, when players are attempting the tough part of a particular mission, they may do so without any fear.
3 Vehicle Cam
The camera is another limiting factor brought about by the game's age. In particular, the lack of freedom one has while controlling the camera when driving is irritating. Once again, modern games wouldn't even think of going back to something akin to GTA III's control scheme.
Although it possesses some kinks, the Vehicle Cam mod makes an effort to give the player more control over the camera. It's undoubtedly useful to be able to swivel the camera in the midst of high-pressure situations.
2 III Aircraft
During the making of GTA III, the option to fly planes didn't have a high priority among the developers. The closest thing fans got regarding flyable aircraft in the game was the famous Dodo, a vehicle that was unable to sustain flight for long periods of time.
Modders, unsurprisingly, took matters into their own hands. The III Aircraft mod is straightforward in its approach. It gives the player the opportunity to fly aircraft just like any other vehicle. The mod adds aircraft from other Grand Theft Auto titles, such as the Maverick, Skimmer, and Biplane.
1 Re3
Fans may have already heard of Re3, which recently stood at the center of a controversy. Re3 was slapped with a DMCA takedown for reverse-engineering GTA III's source code. However, the project was subsequently restored and remains available for download at present.
Re3 is very impressive in its scope. Some of its features include bug fixes, a rotatable camera, controller support, and the elimination of loading screens when traveling between islands. Graphical improvements aren't neglected either and contain several options for enhanced visual fidelity.
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