Sources checked:
You can play GTA Vice City on PS5 through Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Definitive Edition, the 2021 remaster sold on its own and as part of The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition bundle. It's the easiest way to revisit the 1980s original before GTA 6 takes you back to a modern Vice City on November 19, 2026. Here's how to get it and what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Vice City is on PS5 as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Definitive Edition.
- You can buy it on its own on the PlayStation Store or in The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition bundle, listed at $59.99.
- The remaster launched in November 2021 with updated lighting, textures and modern controls.
- The original Vice City (2002) is set in 1986. GTA 6 is set in a modern-day Vice City.
- GTA V is set in Los Santos, not Vice City. Vice City returns in GTA 6.
Can You Play GTA Vice City on PS5?
Yes. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Definitive Edition is available for PS5 on the PlayStation Store. It's also part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which bundles GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas and is listed at $59.99 on PlayStation's site for PS4 and PS5.
The Definitive Edition has also rotated through subscription services such as PlayStation Plus in the past, so check your subscription's catalogue before buying.
What Changed in the Definitive Edition?
The Definitive Edition launched on November 11, 2021. Rockstar describes it as bringing "brilliant new lighting and environmental upgrades, high-resolution textures, increased draw distances" and modern controls closer to GTA V, including an updated weapon and radio wheel.
The launch was rough. Players criticised bugs and some character models, and Rockstar patched a lot of it afterwards. It's in much better shape today, and it's still the simplest legal way to play Vice City on a current console.
Is Vice City in GTA V?
No, and this confuses a lot of people searching for a "GTA V Vice City game". GTA V is set in Los Santos and Blaine County, Rockstar's take on Southern California. Vice City appears only as a name in passing.
Vice City has been a GTA setting in two earlier games: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002), set in 1986, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006), a prequel set in 1984. GTA 6 is the first time the city returns as a modern, full-scale setting.
How Does Old Vice City Compare to GTA 6's Vice City?
The 2002 Vice City is a love letter to 1980s Miami: pastel suits, synth-pop radio and Tommy Vercetti's rise through the drug trade. It's a compact map made of two main islands.
GTA 6's Vice City is a modern city inside the much larger state of Leonida. From the trailers and the Extended Look, it's full of social media, phones, nightlife and a very present police force. Some names and landmarks echo the original, but Rockstar hasn't said the layout matches.
| GTA Vice City (2002) | GTA 6 (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Era | 1986 | Present day |
| Protagonist | Tommy Vercetti | Jason and Lucia |
| Map | Vice City only | Vice City plus five other regions of Leonida |
| On PS5 | Yes, Definitive Edition | Yes, from November 19, 2026 |
You can explore the modern city on our Vice City region page.
Should You Play Vice City Before GTA 6?
You don't need to. GTA 6 is a new story with new characters, and Rockstar hasn't said it connects to Tommy Vercetti's. But if you've never played it, Vice City is a fun 15 to 20 hour warm-up, and spotting the callbacks in GTA 6 will be more satisfying if you know the original.
If you're short on time before November 19, prioritise storage and preload over a full Vice City run. Our launch checklist covers the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GTA Vice City on PS5?
Yes. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Definitive Edition is available on PS5, on its own or in The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.
How much is Vice City on PS5?
The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is listed at $59.99. The standalone price varies by region and sales, so check the PlayStation Store.
Is GTA V set in Vice City?
No. GTA V is set in Los Santos. Vice City returns in GTA 6.
Is GTA 6 set in the same Vice City?
It's the same city name in a modern setting, inside the state of Leonida. Rockstar hasn't said the layout matches the 2002 game.
Do I need to play Vice City before GTA 6?
No. GTA 6 has a new story and characters. Vice City is optional background.