Vice City History: Every GTA Game Set in Vice City
Vice City is Rockstar’s fictional take on Miami, and it has appeared in four Grand Theft Auto games: the original GTA in 1997, GTA Vice City in 2002, GTA Vice City Stories in 2006, and now GTA 6, which brings the city back in a modern setting inside the state of Leonida. Each version reflects its era, from 1980s neon to today’s social media culture.
Quick answer: GTA Vice City (2002) is set in 1986, Vice City Stories (2006) in 1984, and GTA 6 in the present day.
Vice City across the series
| Game | Release | Setting year | Protagonist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto | 1997 | Contemporary (1990s) | Choice of characters |
| GTA Vice City | 2002 | 1986 | Tommy Vercetti |
| GTA Vice City Stories | 2006 | 1984 | Victor “Vic” Vance |
| GTA 6 | 2026 | Present day | Lucia and Jason |
For the full release order of every game, see our GTA games in order timeline.
The original GTA (1997)
The first Grand Theft Auto was played from a top-down view and featured three cities: Liberty City, San Andreas and Vice City. This early Vice City was a simple grid of streets with beaches and palm trees, but it established the idea of a sunny, crime-filled Florida city that Rockstar would return to.
GTA Vice City (2002)
GTA Vice City turned the city into a full 3D world and a pop culture phenomenon. Set in 1986, it follows Tommy Vercetti, who builds a criminal empire after a drug deal goes wrong. Its strongest features were its atmosphere: pastel suits, neon-lit Ocean Drive-style streets, a famous 1980s licensed soundtrack and a story inspired by crime films of the era. It also let players buy properties that generated income, a mechanic later games expanded.
GTA Vice City Stories (2006)
Originally released on PSP before arriving on PS2, Vice City Stories is a prequel set in 1984. You play Victor Vance, a soldier pulled into the city’s underworld. Its “empire building” system let players take over and manage criminal businesses across the map. It also shows a version of the city slightly earlier in its development, with familiar landmarks and some changes.
GTA 6: Vice City today
GTA 6 returns to Vice City as part of Leonida, Rockstar’s fictional version of Florida. Instead of 1980s nostalgia, the trailers show a modern city shaped by nightlife, social media, viral videos and beach culture, surrounded by swamps, keys and small towns. The protagonists are Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval. Our GTA 6 map guide explains each official region.
What stays the same and what changes
Constants
- A Miami-inspired city with beaches, art deco buildings and luxury yachts.
- Satire of wealth, excess and the media.
- Music as a core part of the atmosphere.
- A story built around crime and ambition.
Changes
- Era: from 1980s period piece to present-day setting.
- Scale: from a single city to a whole state with multiple regions.
- Characters: from solo male protagonists to a duo, including the series’ first lead female protagonist in the modern era.
- Tone: 1980s crime films then, internet culture and viral content now.
Where can you play the older Vice City games?
GTA Vice City was remastered in the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition collection in 2021, alongside GTA III and San Andreas, and the collection has been offered to subscribers through GTA+. Our GTA+ explainer covers what the membership includes. Vice City Stories has not received a modern remaster.
Checklist: Vice City references to look for in GTA 6
- Art deco hotels and neon along the beachfront.
- Radio stations and music nods to the city’s past.
- Vehicles inspired by classic Vice City models.
- Easter eggs referencing Tommy Vercetti or Vic Vance.
We track discoveries in our GTA 6 Easter eggs guide.
FAQ
Is Vice City a real place?
No. It is a fictional city inspired by Miami, Florida.
Is GTA 6 a sequel to GTA Vice City?
No. GTA 6 returns to the setting but tells a new story with new characters in the modern HD universe.
Will Tommy Vercetti appear in GTA 6?
Rockstar has not announced any appearance. Treat rumours with caution until official confirmation.
Conclusion
Vice City has evolved from a top-down grid in 1997 to a neon 1980s icon in 2002 and 2006, and now to the modern heart of Leonida in GTA 6. Knowing its history makes the return even more exciting when you finally drive down its beachfront.