Why is GTA 1 for the GameBoy Color so glitchy?

[ThermalSmoke]

I've recently played GTA 1 on a GameBoy emulator and have started to notice some very funny and unusual things about the GameBoy port. I would like to hear if you also seen any fair of bugs and glitches while playing the game.

So I was playing the game and starting seeing the bottom of the screen acting up. There were arrows and other symbols at the bottom where there would be your "get out of jail" key and points box. After beating a mission, it didn't show up again. While I'm glad It won't show up again (for a while), I wonder what causes it to be like that? Is it my emulator? Or the copy of the ROM?

The bugs didn't quite stop there, the game also has broken missions. I did the 3rd phone mission in "Gangsta Bang". Those who have played GTA 1 and done this mission might know this one, if you don't, I won't spoil it. I'll black it out if you wanna try it yourself, otherwise you can skip this section.

Spoiler

Bubby asks you to take a propane tank rigged with a bomb to the police station and blow it up from there, because some crooked cop wanted a higher raise from bubby. I'm guessing because the cop covers for bubby's gang. After blowing up the police station, you must meet with Tommy, one of bubby's henchmen, so he can give you a cut of the money for blowing up the police station. But Tommy notices Sonetti's lawyer and asks you to follow him, and if he meets with Sonetti's gang, kill him. Afterwards you must proceed to slaughter Sonetti's gang and the lawyer. This mission is replicated in GTA 1 for the GameBoy, but the problem is not only a bug, but a chance of luck. 6 members are suppose to appear in the alleyway, but that might not be the case sometimes. You might be missing 1 or 2 enemy NPC's, and this can break the mission if game isn't registering those missing enemy NPC's. Cause afterwards, you are phoned by Tommy (I'm guessing), who congratulates you for your brutality. But this message never appeared for me, no matter how many times I reloaded the game or loaded my save state. Can anyone explain this? Otherwise, I think 100% GTA 1 on the GameBoy is almost impossible.

On to my next question, does the shield even do anything? I'm glad this version of GTA 1 has them spread around like candy, but the shield never seems to work for me. You have it equipped on your character, yet when you are shot it's almost like you never had it on. Again, is it just my emulator or the ROM?

I do wanna appreciate and love GTA 1 on the GameBoy, not only because of how impressive it is, but also because I can see the good in bad games and say "it has terrible qualities, but it has a few redeeming features." Not to mention, GTA on the go? Sign me up! Unfortunately the game seems to awkward controls and a few bugs, which holds it back from just being a "passible" game. I can stand the controls and the terrible music, but not the other issues.

Before I wrap up this topic, the point of me starting this forum, wasn't to ask, "hey guys, I'm playing an inferior version of a game what do I do?" And someone responds by telling me to play "the actual thing". I'm playing this version of the game on my own free will and wish to experience it. I have played the original PC version and the PS1 version, either which being better than the GameBoy version. But as I stated above, I like finding the good in games, even bad ones. Like for example, one thing I love about this version, are the motorcycles. Unlike all GTA versions where going full speed and crashing into anything would fling you off the motorcycles. On the GameBoy version of GTA 1, even if you go full speed, you won't fall off the motorcycle. I know this has to do with limitations, but it works in the game's favor. Since the camera is zoomed in and you can't see what's coming up ahead, combine with frequent crashes and falling off, why use a motorcycle? This game gave me a reason to use one. Admittedly in rare cases, but the option is still there. Plus it even plays it's own music, limitations maybe.

Anyways, thanks for any future feedback. love to hear your responses.

Edit: This topic now has 1K views. Pretty small compared to others, but I'm proud of this 1st post I made. It's something worth celebrating, to me anyways. I don't ususally like making edits like these though, it feels like a small kind of flex. But for a first post, I'll let it slide.

Edited February 8, 2021 by ThermalMoon
I messed up a bit.

[JaeDan 101]

Gameboy is old, that's why its glitchy, because your Gameboy is old and broken

[ThermalSmoke]

Lol, I been playing it on emulator, but I would like to have it in my collection.

[freedom_is_true]

Hi! Please post all the glitches and workarounds during your playthrough. 
Because I want to play this version too (later) and any information will be very useful. 

[Man With No Name]

What emulator are you using? What's the name of the ROM in full (to tell which dump it is)? Could be emulation issues, or just simply the GBC port is bad (I've no idea personally, never played that version, but it does have a rep).

[freedom_is_true]

Here is some useful notes about the first two chapters. 
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gbc/576069-grand-theft-auto/faqs/7059

[ThermalSmoke]

On 1/29/2021 at 5:49 AM, Man With No Name said:

What emulator are you using? What's the name of the ROM in full (to tell which dump it is)? Could be emulation issues, or just simply the GBC port is bad (I've no idea personally, never played that version, but it does have a rep).

The emulator I use is called "bgb". The copy of GTA 1 is called "Grand Theft Auto (USA).gbc". I don't think I'm allowed to link either of the two, due to legal reasons on this forum. So apologies MWNN. If it's cool with you, I could send you both links via PM. Otherwise, both are clean copies with no modification.
 

On 1/29/2021 at 9:48 AM, freedom_is_true said:

Here is some useful notes about the first two chapters. 
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/gbc/576069-grand-theft-auto/faqs/7059

 

Thanks, I appreciate this. I will try to post any glitches and/or changes made from the console and PC version of GTA 1. I can't guarantee an exact date, so be on the lookout for when I make a post here... Or somebody else, if they beat me to the punch.

Alternatively, you could watch a playthrough of the game. It doesn't cover the main points and it will spoil the game for you, but at least you could see the differences in PS1 and PC versions.

Grand Theft Auto - GBC Longplay/Walkthrough #20 [720p] - YouTube

Edited February 5, 2021 by ThermalMoon
Grammar correction

[ThermalSmoke]

I decided to play "Gangsta Bang" to its entirety today, and I've come to a lot of conclusions when playing this version of GTA 1.

• This version is almost a 1 to 1 to the PlayStation port of GTA 1, minus the controls and hardware.
• Some missions are buggy, 2 missions in particular. one where certain enemy NPC's are missing and you need to waste time looking for them. Another one was when I completed a side mission and the camera BROKE. I could not see where I was, but the issue fixed itself when I killed myself. The game continued like normal, but that goes to show how bad of a port this is.
• 100% Completion is impossible, maybe it's plausible in other acts, but I can't guarantee it. I could only do 4 phone missions, before beating a side mission and being sent to the end cutscene in "Gangsta Bang".
• It's really easy to get stuck on vehicles, but you can also just enter a vehicle and it fixes it. But when your vehicle is stuck, It's almost pointless to save it. And getting your vehicle stuck is really easy to do.
• It may be possible to beat an act without having to play too many missions. I don't have the necessary points requred, but I still unlocked San Andreas. Again, poor programming.

 

It might really be fun just to play for the experience, cause otherwise, there isn't any incentive to 100% the game. But hey, I look forward to hearing about others who may want to share their fair share of glitches while playing this port. You really shouldn't own the game unless your completing a collection, just stick to playing it on an emulator. otherwise... I'll see myself out.

(The glitch where the bottom of the screen starts acting funny).

Edited February 11, 2021 by ThermalMoon
Grammar correction + I stopped using Dropbox

[MrMemer]

GTA l Game boy colour makes GTA Chinatown look like a masterpiece

[jm-9]

It's either the ROM or the emulator. I have a physical copy of this game and have played the mission you described. The issues you're having don't happen with a real cartridge.

[ThermalSmoke]

Thanks for confirming my theory. So it may just be the Rom for the emulator. In that case, I might buy the actual GB game just to see if any other problems happen.

[freedom_is_true]

Hi! Do you finally complete this version of the game?

Is it possible to achieve 100%? (all the missions, because there are no kill frenzies)

[ThermalSmoke]

@freedom_is_true No I have not and I don't think I will for a while. The rom is pretty glitchy and some missions are impossible to complete without explaoiting the game yourself. And even if you do, it's not guaranteed that you will 100% the game either. I played Gangsta Bang, after finishing five missions the game sent me to the cutscene, even though I didn't want to go there. Someone commented that the game may be more stable if played on actual hardware, so I'm not sure if it's true or not. Ultimately, this game isn't on my priorities at the moment, so you will have to find that out for yourself.

[freedom_is_true]

Ok, thanks. I’ll take a look. 

[freedom_is_true]

Ok, there are some strange things I've found.

 

"Car speed up" pickups do nothing.
"Armor" pickups do nothing (you die in one shot anyway).

"Key from jail" pickups only save your weapons (and useless armor) when BOTH wasted or busted (not only busted), but it don't save from decreasing your multiplier.

Moreover, multiplier decrease when you wasted (NOT busted).

 

So, there are some conclusions.

It is no point to collect any of pickups listed above.
If you are busted, it is ok, cause you multiplier remains intact.

If you are wasted, you lose one multiplier anyway (with or without "key from jail"), so you probably have to collect "multiplier" pickup from box on streets (to increase multiplier back again).

PS

Also, respray shops only reset your wanted level, NOT repair your car. 

Edited July 17, 2021 by freedom_is_true

[freedom_is_true]

Next. 
For some reasons, my multiplier not increase after completing missions (after several reboots). 
But it is ok, because we need only 100,000 (not 1,000,000) to finish the level. 
Here is another problem. We’ll have >100,000 after completing 7 missions without any multipliers. Due to some glitch, game drops you to finish (cutscene) after reaching 100,000. So it is unable to complete more than 7 (maybe 8 ) missions in this level. 
 

Unfortunately, I can’t find a way to lose some points. Respray shops cost only few hundred points. And you only can visit them with wanted level. Bomb shops exist, but do nothing. 

[freedom_is_true]

Ok, I’ve done with Gansta Bang level. 
At first, here is some additional useful things:

1. Multipliers do NOT increase after completing missions. It exists only in boxes, but you don’t need it anyway. 
2. Ton of annoying glitches come after level restart. It is because levels don’t _completely_ restart. When you start another attempt, some things from previous attempt exist on the level. It causes glitches. Thus, when you fail a mission, you should NOT exit the level via pause menu and start another attempt. Instead, you have to reset your whole system (your results will not be saved this way). 

3. After you reach 100,000 during mission, arrow to the finish appears. If you ignore this arrow and start another mission, you’ll be dropped to finish cutscene after completing or failing this mission. Thus, in order to complete 10/10 missions, you need to have less than 100,000 before 9th mission. 
4. When you enter a vehicle, game register this as a crime. When you enter/exit a vehicle 16 times, you’ll earn 1* wanted level. It can be the SAME vehicle (this bagged game counts it is as a crime anyway). 

Now, here is a plan to spend money:

1. Park two cars near PnS. Driver’s doors should be placed one opposite another. This way, after exiting the first car, you’ll be placed in front of the driver’s door of the second car (and vice versa). 
2. Enter/exit the cars 16 times = get a wanted level. 
3. Respray one of the cars = -250 points. 
There is a problem here. After 28 resprays (-7000 points) PnS stop working. To fix it, you have to complete any mission. 

And now, here is a plan to complete 10/10 missions:

Phone 3 (+22000) 22000

Phone 1 (+15000) 37000

28 PnS (-7000) 30000

Pink Bulldog (+17000) 47000

28 PnS (-7000) 40000

Beast GTS (+17000) 57000

28 PnS (-7000) 50000

White Cossie (+17000) 67000

28 PnS (-7000) 60000

Phone 2 (+17000) 77000

28 PnS (-7000) 70000

Petrol Tanker (+17000) 87000

28 PnS (-7000) 80000

Yellow Taxi (+17000) 97000

School Bus (+23000) 120000 

Phone 4 (+22000) 142000
 

After all, the finish screen gave me “:/10” instead of “10/10” due to another glitch. But this time it is ok, because PC and PS1 versions of GTA1 have counter glitches too. 

[freedom_is_true]

Oook. Let's go further.First, I was wrong about Pay'n'Sprays. It stops working for another reason. You just cannot spend money less than a multiple of 10000 (for example, if you have 54000, you can only decrease this to 50000).

2nd level is Heist Almighty (12 missions; 200,000).

Each mission gives you 29997 except White Cossie. There are 2 ways to complete this mission. https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Heist_Almighty_-_Cossie

Cabot's Bulldog can just be blown up once you catch up to him and the mission will still be classed as complete without killing Sonetti <- This way you'll earn only 19997. Also, if you have exactly 200000, arrow to finish don't appear. So, in order to complete 12/12 missions, you need to have less than OR EQUAL to 200,000 before the 11th mission. We cannot use PnS trick from the previous level (because we always have an irrelevant amount of money for this trick). Unfortunately, we are running out of options.

There are many car missions in this level. While on the mission, we can enter a parked car. This action immediately start a new mission (previous mission will be considered as failed). We can use this behaviour for our purposes. Say, we have ALMOST completed mission A and are staying close to the finish marker. Then we go to another parked car for mission B. After all, mission A is not counted in the statistics, but we know we did it on purpose. This is fair enough.

Well, to "complete" all 12 missions, we have to "skip" 3 missions. Here is the plan:

 

Intro (+29997) 30000

Phone 4 (+29997) 60000 [drive the limo on the upper side of a 6-lane road to avoid glitches]

Pink 4x4 (+29997) 90000

1st Pink Mundano (+29997) 120000

White Cossie (+19997*) 140000

Phone 2 (+29997) 170000

Pink Bulldog (+29997**) 200000

{I recommend earning some points here, cause we need "working" PnS during the next missions} (+2000) 202000

Phone 3 (+29997) 232000

-2nd Pink Mundano [Penetrator on PC] (+0***) 232000 [This mission is glitched anyway. It is nearly impossible to find the "true" finish point, because arrow leads to the wrong place.]

-Phone 1 (+0***) 232000

-Pink Stallion (+0***) 232000

Porka Turbo (+29997) 262000

 

Total:

9/12 missions

 

 

*Do not follow Cabot, blow his car. Otherwise you’ll get 29997.

**Lose some points in PnS before the end of the mission. You must have 170003 (the last respray from 170253 to 170003).

***Do not go to the finish point of the mission. Park a car near the finish point and go to the next mission.

[freedom_is_true]

3rd level is Mandarin Mayhem (8 missions; 100,000)

Each mission gives you 31000 so we need to "skip" 3 missions again. But here is some exceptions. 

Bomb shops are broken in this level, but 2 missions required to rig a car with a bomb. Therefore, we need to fail this missions, because we simply don't have any options to continue. So we actually need to "skip" only 1 mission.

Also, PnS in Wood Hill and Sunview are the only ones working.

Here is the plan:

 

 

Phone 3 (+31000) 31000

Phone 1 (+31000) 62000

Phone 2 (+31000) 93000

Phone 4 (+0*): 93000 [If the traitor's car stuck somewhere in the 2nd part of the mission, try to enter it, then push it to the road. Then you can enter the car and go to the point yourself (somewhere in North Market). You can try to reload this mission several times during a casual run. The mission will not be glichy all the times, so you'll find out the exact location.]

Phone 5 (+0*) 93000

Phone 8 (+0**) 93000 [If peds become "glitchy": At the end of the 1st part of the mission just go to the bottom of the docks, "catch" the cutscene, go to the ped and run over it, get back to the suitcase. In the 2st part of the mission just go to the suicide location, then go to the elements locations (all the locations are the same as PC: https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Mandarin_Mayhem_-_Phone_8:_Mission_2). Arrow will be mad. You can try to reload this mission several times during a casual run. The mission will not be glichy all the times, so you'll find out the exact locations.]

Phone 7 (+31000) 124000

Phone 6 (+31000) 155000 [At the very end of the mission find a car and run over the traitor instead of shooting.]

 

Total:

5/8 missions

 

*It is impossible to complete the mission due to the broken bomb shops.

Phone 4: At the end of the 2nd part of the mission, after "visiting" the bomb shop, just drive the car to the initial place (as stated in the original PC mission https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Mandarin_Mayhem_-_Phone_4:_Mission_2). Then blow up this car to fail the mission.

Phone 5: At the end of the 1st part of the mission, after "visiting" bomb shop, just drive the police car to the diner (as stated in the original PC mission https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Mandarin_Mayhem_-_Phone_5:_Mission_1) and blow it up. Then commit wasted/busted to fail the mission. Well, won't see the 2nd part of the mission with Bryson. Perhaps there are no any 2nd parts in this mission, because Bryson is also missing in the next chapter.

 

**At the end of the mission, do not pick up the 4th element (do not go close to the ped). Then commit wasted/busted to fail the mission. This is the only way to "skip" it.

 

[freedom_is_true]

4th level: Tequila Slammer (8 missions; 100,000)

Each mission gives you 25000 so we can use PnS trick for 1 mission. 1 mission is glithed (=failed intentionally), and 1 mission will be "skipped" (=failed intentionally).
 

Phone 3 (+0*) 0 [In the 1st part of the mission, the police may be slightly displaced.]

Phone 2 (+25000) 25000

Phone 4 (+25000) 50000 [In the 2nd part of the mission the arrows lead to the wrong place in Woodside, but when you come close to the real point, the arrow changes direction (East Potato, Southwest Aye Valley, West Richman, Central Aye Valley, Northeast Market, Central Glen Wood)]

Phone 1 (+25000) 75000 [In the 2nd part of the mission, after talking with the ped in Atlantic Heights, DO NOT move. Then the road to Sunview will be skipped, and the arrow to the policeman will be activated.]

{PnS} (-5000) 70000

Phone 7 (+25000) 95000

Phone 6 (+0**) 95000 [Phone 6.2 on PC] 

Phone 8 (+25000) 120000 [Phone 6.1 from Mandarin Mayhem on PC. If there are no peds (another glitch again), run north to the point (stairs in Northeast Woodside) where the ped normally should be. Wander around, take a car, go to the point by car, and eventually the mission will be completed (with some luck). You can try to reload this mission several times during a casual run. The mission will not be glichy all the times, so you'll find out the exact locations.]

Phone 5 (+25000) 145000 [Phone 6.1 on PC]

 

Total:

6/8 missions

 

*Due to some glitch, the mission becomes failed after dropping the 2nd car to water.

**At the very end of the mission (the 2nd car and the 2nd shooter) run over the shooter, but do not blow up the car. Instead, commit wasted/busted to fail the mission. This is the only way to "skip" it.

[freedom_is_true]

Not enough? There are NO working Pay’n’Sprays in the Vice City chapters. Therefore, we cannot easily drop the wanted level and lose any money either. 

These are the most annoying chapters. The mission order is an important part, because completion/failure of one mission can affect another. 

 

5th level: Bent Cop Blues (16 missions; 150,000)

Each mission gives 18750. 2 missions are glithed (0). And 5 missions have to be “skipped” (0). (PnS tricks are unavailable here). 

 

About the wanted level:

Remember that after completion/failure of a mission the wanted level disappears. Also, there are Police Bribes in the boxes. I found 7. 

 

 

Missions: 

 

Phone 8 (+18750) 18750 [Run over the final ped at 45 degrees from top down to avoid glitches.]

 

Phone 12 (+0) 18750 [Nothing happens at the end of the mission in Miramire. You only option is to blow up the tanker and fail the mission.]

 

Phone 16 (+18750) 37500 [Just blow up the limo at the end of the mission.]

 

Phone 5 (+18750) 56250 [The last ped may be glitched and move away, but arrow will point to it anyway.]

 

Phone 1 (+0*) 56250 [To “skip” the mission blow up the 4th car near the garage instead of driving it to the garage.]

 

Phone 11 (+18750) 75000

 

Phone 9 (+0*) 75000 [To “skip” the mission shoot the 6th ped in Felicity instead of walking towards it.]

 

Phone 7 (+0*) 75000 [To “skip” the mission blow up the car at the end near the garage instead of driving it to the garage.]

 

Phone 15 (+18750) 93750

 

Phone 4 (+18750) 112500

 

Phone 10 (+0*) 112500 [To “skip” the mission blow up the limo at the end near the garage instead of driving it to the garage.]

 

Phone 3 (+0) 112500 [The rigged car blows up at the point after a minute, but the mission for some reason will be failed.]

 

Phone 6 (+0*) 112500 [To “skip” the mission blow up the car at the end near the garage instead of driving it to the garage.]

 

Phone 2 (+18750) 131250 [The mission is completely broken. Arrows and dialogues are messed up. Just go to the up-left to the limo. Then go to bomp shop to rig the limo. And finally bring the limo back. It will blow up. You’ll see two messages (“Mission completed” and “Mission failed”) but the mission will be actually counted as completed.]

 

Phone 14 (+18750) 150000 (It will be actually more than 150000.)

 

Phone 13 (+18750) 168750 [There is a “finish marker” in the middle of the yard in Banana Grove. Move with caution every time you go to this yard during the mission. One wrong step, and you’ll be dropped to the final cutscene. Also, when you go pick up Deever from the courthouse, go on the top of a 2-lane road from left to right very slowly. When Deever runs to the limo, stop and wait for him.

After this mission, all traffic is disappearing at the level and so you must complete this mission the last.]

 

Total:

9/16 missions

 

*Missions to fail at the end on purpose. 

Edited October 23, 2021 by freedom_is_true
Formatting

[freedom_is_true]

6th (final) level: Rasta Blasta (16 missions; 250,000)

Each mission gives 31300 except 2 missions which give 0. 1 mission is glitched (0). And 4 missions have to be “skipped” (0). (PnS tricks are unavailable here). 

 

There are a lot of shooting missions in this level. And here is good news: the armor works here! Grab one in the army base on the island in Vice Beach. I would also recommend to grab a rocket launcher in the yard of the radio station in Felicity. You can shoot enemies behind tiny walls with missiles. There are also two keys (to save your rocket launcher and armor) and many Police Bribes (PnS still does not work). 

 

 

Missions:

 

Intro (+31300) 31300 (Choose left direction after conversation.)

 

Phone 7 (+31300) 62600

 

Phone 10 (+31300) 93900

 

Phone 5 (+31300) 125200 

 

Phone 1 (+31300) 156500

 

Phone 8 (+31300) 187800

 

Phone 2 (+31300) 219100

 

Phone 12 (+0) 219100 (Yes, the mission is complete and gives you nothing.)

 

Phone 11 (+0) 219100 (Again, the mission is complete and gives you nothing.)

 

Phone 6 (+0*) 219100 [The 1st van sometimes can be self-destroyed. To “skip” the mission commit wasted/busted at the end near the 3rd van instead of blowing it up.]

 

Phone 9 (+0*) 219100 [To “skip” the mission shoot the 4th ped at the end instead of punching it.]

 

Phone 13 (+0*) 219100 [To “skip” the mission commit wasted/busted at the end near the police in Vice Beach. Do not blow up the mission car to avoid glitches.]

 

Phone 14 (+0*) 219100 [To “skip” the mission blow up the taxi at the end near the garage instead of driving it to the garage.]

 

Phone 15 (+0) 219100 [After you bring the tanker to garage in Miramire, go to the next tanker in Little Bogota ON FOOT to avoid glitches. The rigged tanker blows up at the end, but the mission for some reason will be failed.]

 

Phone 3 (+31300) 250400

 

Phone 4: (+31300) 281700

 

Total:

11/16 missions (glitched counter shows “.:/16”)

 

*Missions to fail at the end on purpose. 

[jm-9]

@freedom_is_true Thank you very much for this excellent rundown of GTA 1 for Gameboy. I own the game but never got very far, though I've beaten the PC version. I never knew the Gameboy version was so broken. No armour (except for Rasta Blasta) and no Pay n' Sprays in the Vice City levels put this as a contender for the hardest game in the series, with only GTA: London 1961 as competition.

[freedom_is_true]

L1961 is difficult itself. 
But in GTA1 GBC you waste time during casual run (exploring glitches and choosing right mission order). When you know a level and have a plan to pass it, it is not too hard. Preparation can take more time than completion.