8. Grand Theft Auto III (Original Release: 2001, PS2)
GTA III’s charm is undeniable: I started playing recently with the intention of just grabbing a few minutes of footage, and ended up playing for nearly three hours instead.
The story of GTA III feels focused and moves quickly. The game is also filled with memorable missions and characters, like Tony Cipriani and his loud mother, as well as Catalina, who famously shoots Claude in the face at the very start of the game. Missions can be a bit simple compared to later GTA games, but they’re still fun to play. Remember the mission that tasks you with stealing a high-ranking Mafia member’s car, arming it with a bomb, and then parking it back where he is currently eating lunch? Exciting stuff!
Also excellent: Using cheats to fly the tank.
FUN FACT: GTA III’s radio has referencesto Carcer City, the setting of Manhunt. Additionally, different cars from GTA III pop up in Manhunt, including the Blista Compact. And a bathroom in Manhunt is actually ripped directly out of GTA III.
