Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition

History

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition is a compilation of remastered versions of three 3D Universe titles that are part of the Grand Theft Auto franchise: Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The trilogy was first released on November 11 2021 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.

The compilation was initially developed by Grove Street Games and published by Rockstar Games. However, later updates revealed that Rockstar ceded development and improvements to Video Game Deluxe, a Sydney-based video game studio composed of a handful of former Team Bondi employees, the studio responsible for making L.A. Noire, which it later acquired and renamed as Rockstar Australia.

Release, Reception, and Community Response

The initial launch was marred by issues and delays, which took Rockstar years to fix. It wasn't until the successful release of the compilation for Android and iOS devices on December 14, 2023 and later on, Netflix Games, that Rockstar slowly resolved the technical problems that plagued the trilogy.

Shortly after its release, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that the compilation "had some quality issues" and he admitted that the developers "did fall short."¹

Prior to its release, it was believed that Rockstar was working on remasters of Grand Theft Auto 4 and Red Dead Redemption. As a result of the backlash, Rockstar reportedly shifted its focus on to Grand Theft Auto 6 instead. Rockstar has yet to confirm or deny this statement.

A remaster of Red Dead Redemption was eventually released on August 17, 2023 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and the PC on October 29, 2024.