Rockstar Games hasn't officially confirmed the existence of Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas remasters yet, but if the recent reports are true then Grand Theft Auto 6's rumored release date of 2025 makes a bit more sense. Waiting for over a decade for a sequel to GTA 5 with nothing but the continued support of GTA Online and upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X/S upgrades originally seemed like a lot to ask for, but remastering and re-releasing previous entries would help to hold those players over.

It's been nearly twenty years since Grand Theft Auto 3 released in October 2001, and while both graphics and gameplay mechanics have come a long way since then GTA 3 still set the standard for driving and exploration in video games. It even led to the creation of a new genre, which, before the term "open world" was popularized, simply had players referring to any large area where players could drive and walk around in as a "GTA clone." Updating and re-releasing such an important title would make perfect sense for Rockstar, and it would show eager GTA 6 fans, many of whom may have only gotten into the franchise through GTA 5, where multiple iconic gameplay features were perfected.

Related: Intricate GTA 6 Tease Possibly Found In Red Dead Redemption 2

Equal arguments could be made about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Vice City, but both these titles offer additional potential incentives for Rockstar. Rumors about GTA 6's setting have heavily revolved around Vice City or similar areas, and letting both old and new players get an updated and enhanced look at that world offers multiple benefits depending on what the eventual plan for Grand Theft Auto 6 is. No matter what, however, releasing these titles in the interim between now and GTA 6's launch is good for keeping franchise players invested.

If GTA 6 Is Set In Vice City Or Las Venturas

Grand Theft Auto Vice City Dusk

If Grand Theft Auto 6's location is Vice City or Las Venturas from San Andreas, then re-releasing updated versions of these games is a great way to make sure any future callbacks in GTA 6 will be noticed and appreciated. It would be unlikely for Rockstar to set GTA 6 in the same time period as a previous game (unless they were to use a completely new setting) so by remastering the worlds of San Andreas and Vice City players would be able to more fully appreciate how the eventual next-gen version changes the environment. Players would also be more familiar with the characters and NPCs who inhabit these worlds, which could make meeting their younger or older counterparts in GTA 6 more exciting.

If GTA 6 Is Not Set In Vice City, Las Venturas, Liberty City, Or San Fierro

GTA 6 Fake NFS Heat

If Grand Theft Auto 6 is set in an entirely new location, somewhere not featured in a past title, providing players with an updated and graphically enhanced version of Vice City would be the perfect thing to make fans who have been following the rumor mill less disappointed. Rumors about Rockstar picking Vice City as GTA 6's setting have been around since 2013, and giving people who have been praising that idea another, better look at Vice City itself might help them accept the idea of a new location more willingly. While Liberty City has never been a likely choice, Vice City, San Fierro, and Las Venturas have all not been seen since the 3D GTA era, and if Grand Theft Auto 6 really is going somewhere new in 2025 then remasters are a great way to revisit them.

Next: Will GTA 6 Release On PS5 & Xbox Series X