Playing GTA 1 through

[Anywhere USA]

Hello. I’m the guy who’s been marathoning the series to get the proper experience. After having completed III, LCS, VC, and gotten 30% through VCS, I’ve finally gotten a copy of the game that started it all. I hope some of you join me on this journey 

[Anywhere USA]

Ok, messing around in Gangsta Bang, just as I had on the shady download site version, except now with a working radio(I swear I thought it was legit, what kind of shady site has a fancy wood grain background and no pictures of anime characters?). I’ve beaten all the SPP missions at least once, but never all 4 in the same run. Also that f*cking Bus vehicle mission is nearly impossible.

 

I’m not sure yet, but considering this is the easiest of the 6 stages, I might make an exception to my true 100% rule and NOT go for everything in one go with this game, because that would require a ridiculous amount of soft resetting and would probably spoil my opinion of the game. Instead I’ll just play it normally, trying my best to earn enough money without running out of lives. BUT, I’ll keep track of what missions I’ve completed, so I complete all of them at least once at some point, even if it’s not in a solo run. So I can experience everything. Probably applying the same rule to London

[jm-9]

9 hours ago, Anywhere USA said:

Ok, messing around in Gangsta Bang, just as I had on the shady download site version, except now with a working radio(I swear I thought it was legit, what kind of shady site has a fancy wood grain background and no pictures of anime characters?). I’ve beaten all the SPP missions at least once, but never all 4 in the same run. Also that f*cking Bus vehicle mission is nearly impossible.

 

I’m not sure yet, but considering this is the easiest of the 6 stages, I might make an exception to my true 100% rule and NOT go for everything in one go with this game, because that would require a ridiculous amount of soft resetting and would probably spoil my opinion of the game. Instead I’ll just play it normally, trying my best to earn enough money without running out of lives. BUT, I’ll keep track of what missions I’ve completed, so I complete all of them at least once at some point, even if it’s not in a solo run. So I can experience everything. Probably applying the same rule to London

That site is a clone of the old official site you used to be able to download GTA 1 and 2 from until 2013, except that the old site also contained Wild Metal. It was www.rockstargames.com/classics but is now defunct. That's why it looks legit. You selected a game and supplied your email address, and then Rockstar emailed you a download link for the selected game. Having said that, I think that the download on the shady site might be legit, but even if it is, that version is buggy (wrong audio plays, such as police radio when on foot, no audio on title screen, save file can become corrupt). The disc version is easily the better and definitive version of the game.

 

Here's the old site:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072022/http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/

 

I would approach the 2D era games differently. I wouldn't bother going for 100% in any of them. As you've noticed, GTA 1 has a very different structure that makes this an extremely difficult task. The London games are the same. GTA 2 allows you to save between missions, but some of its kill frenzies are near-impossible, unless you're playing the Playstation version. So I'd focus on just beating the games. In GTA 2 I would collect every GTA 2 token though. This is mandatory for the good ending.

Edited February 3 by jm-9

[Anywhere USA]

16 minutes ago, jm-9 said:

That site is a clone of the old official site you used to be able to download GTA 1 and 2 from until 2013, except that the old site also contained Wild Metal. It was www.rockstargames.com/classics but is now defunct. That's why it looks legit. You selected a game and supplied your email address, and then Rockstar emailed you a download link for the selected game. Having said that, I think that the download on the shady site might be legit, but even if it is, that version is buggy (wrong audio plays, such as police radio when on foot, no audio on title screen, save file can become corrupt). The disc version is easily the better and definitive version of the game.

 

I would approach the 2D era games differently. I wouldn't bother going for 100% in any of them. As you've noticed, GTA 1 has a very different structure that makes this an extremely difficult task. The London games are the same. GTA 2 allows you to save between missions, but some of its kill frenzies are near-impossible, unless you're playing the Playstation version. So I'd focus on just beating the games. In GTA 2 I would collect every GTA 2 token though. This is mandatory for the good ending.

Yeah. I heard GTA 2 had both a ludicrous amount of Kill Frenzies, many were bugged or near impossible, and saving sometimes reset them. I’ve heard in GTA 1 they were all quite doable though.

 

Yeah, so my new game plan is to complete every mission in GTA 1 at least once, but not in one play through. (The ease of replay ability makes that doable) including the kill frenzies. In 2 I’ll do all the story missions in one go, including the bonus stuff from the tokens, but not the kill frenzies.

[Anywhere USA]

Beat Gangsta Bang. Barely.

 

I DID NOT COMPLETE the following:

.South Park Phone 3

.Bulldog

.Tanker

.Couhash

.Cossie

.Any of the Kill Frenzies except the one in the south west of the right landmass

So those will be completed by me at some point on a different play through of Gangsta Bang.

None of the missions felt unfair or especially hard, all the losses felt like my fault.

Might do Heist Almighty tonight.

 

[Anywhere USA]

Heist Almighty:

Harder, but not by much.

 

I DID NOT COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Any of the vehicle missions except for Stallion and Mundano.

 

 

 

[Anywhere USA]

On 2/3/2022 at 8:09 AM, jm-9 said:

That site is a clone of the old official site you used to be able to download GTA 1 and 2 from until 2013, except that the old site also contained Wild Metal. It was www.rockstargames.com/classics but is now defunct. That's why it looks legit. You selected a game and supplied your email address, and then Rockstar emailed you a download link for the selected game. Having said that, I think that the download on the shady site might be legit, but even if it is, that version is buggy (wrong audio plays, such as police radio when on foot, no audio on title screen, save file can become corrupt). The disc version is easily the better and definitive version of the game.

 

Here's the old site:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072022/http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/

 

I would approach the 2D era games differently. I wouldn't bother going for 100% in any of them. As you've noticed, GTA 1 has a very different structure that makes this an extremely difficult task. The London games are the same. GTA 2 allows you to save between missions, but some of its kill frenzies are near-impossible, unless you're playing the Playstation version. So I'd focus on just beating the games. In GTA 2 I would collect every GTA 2 token though. This is mandatory for the good ending.

While I might stick with Liberty City for tomorrow and complete all the missions I missed in the first two stages, I’ve noticed on the guide that the San Andreas missions seemingly require other missions tk be completed first(also all of them are phone based, no more vehicle missions). Does this mean you can retry some of them?

[jm-9]

7 hours ago, Anywhere USA said:

While I might stick with Liberty City for tomorrow and complete all the missions I missed in the first two stages, I’ve noticed on the guide that the San Andreas missions seemingly require other missions tk be completed first(also all of them are phone based, no more vehicle missions). Does this mean you can retry some of them?

So first, I found the missions in San Andreas to be a considerable step up in difficulty. So the way it works in San Andreas is that there are two sets of phone missions. The first set is available immediately. The second set isn’t available until you have tried all the missions from the first set. The important thing is that you do not have to beat any. Even if you fail every mission in the first set, the second set will still become available.

 

The other thing is that some missions begin immediately after another mission instead of making you go to a phone. Again, you do not have to beat the first mission. The second one will start after the first one, even if you fail the first one.

 

So beating all the missions in San Andreas will likely take a bit longer.

 

The good news is that Vice City is 100% open world. It’s first level has sixteen missions, which you can do in any order. It’s second level is the same, except you must do one of the missions first.

 

I think you’ll have noticed by now that GTA 1 is quite a unique game, unapologetically open-world. Along with the original Legend of Zelda for the NES, I consider it to be the definitive open-world game.

[Anywhere USA]

7 hours ago, jm-9 said:

So first, I found the missions in San Andreas to be a considerable step up in difficulty. So the way it works in San Andreas is that there are two sets of phone missions. The first set is available immediately. The second set isn’t available until you have tried all the missions from the first set. The important thing is that you do not have to beat any. Even if you fail every mission in the first set, the second set will still become available.

 

The other thing is that some missions begin immediately after another mission instead of making you go to a phone. Again, you do not have to beat the first mission. The second one will start after the first one, even if you fail the first one.

 

So beating all the missions in San Andreas will likely take a bit longer.

 

The good news is that Vice City is 100% open world. It’s first level has sixteen missions, which you can do in any order. It’s second level is the same, except you must do one of the missions first.

 

I think you’ll have noticed by now that GTA 1 is quite a unique game, unapologetically open-world. Along with the original Legend of Zelda for the NES, I consider it to be the definitive open-world game.

Beat everything there is to beat in Gangsta Bang, and beat my high score on my first redo(where o actually got enough points to beat it). The Cossie and SPP3 missions were the hardest on Gangsta Bang IMO. Kill Frenzies are easy if you have a mission multiplier 

 

Now, all that’s left in liberty are the vehicle missions in Heist Almighty

[Carl_Speed YT]

On 2/3/2022 at 11:09 PM, jm-9 said:

That site is a clone of the old official site you used to be able to download GTA 1 and 2 from until 2013, except that the old site also contained Wild Metal. It was www.rockstargames.com/classics but is now defunct. That's why it looks legit. You selected a game and supplied your email address, and then Rockstar emailed you a download link for the selected game. Having said that, I think that the download on the shady site might be legit, but even if it is, that version is buggy (wrong audio plays, such as police radio when on foot, no audio on title screen, save file can become corrupt). The disc version is easily the better and definitive version of the game.

 

Here's the old site:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20120205072022/http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/

 

I would approach the 2D era games differently. I wouldn't bother going for 100% in any of them. As you've noticed, GTA 1 has a very different structure that makes this an extremely difficult task. The London games are the same. GTA 2 allows you to save between missions, but some of its kill frenzies are near-impossible, unless you're playing the Playstation version. So I'd focus on just beating the games. In GTA 2 I would collect every GTA 2 token though. This is mandatory for the good ending.

Wait. Is typing in your Email safe?

[Anywhere USA]

I can’t ducking beat Bulldog Heist Almighty. The time limit is so absurd. I’ve spent hours and hours today 

[Anywhere USA]

3 hours ago, Anywhere USA said:

I can’t ducking beat Bulldog Heist Almighty. The time limit is so absurd. I’ve spent hours and hours today 

Finally beat it by killing myself right before the final leg, going from Eaglewood Hospital to the Bridge was faster.

 

All that’s left is the No Law Penatrator, but I’m calling it a night. I’ll give San Andreas a shot tomorrow. 

[Anywhere USA]

Got off to a strong start and beat all 3 Phone 1 missions. Time limit wasn’t too bad, third mission was pretty forgiving. I like these shorter missions 

[Anywhere USA]

Mandarin Mayhem: First Run through (I didn’t earn enough money 

 

I DID NOT BEAT:

 

Any of the first batch of Phone 3 Missions

Phone 4 (first section) Mission 2

That one kill frenzy with the monster race car buggy thing 

Phone 1(section 2) Mission 2

Phone 2 (section 2) Mission 1

Phone 3 (section 2) Mission 2

Phone 4 (Section 2) Mission 1 and 2

Edited February 8 by Anywhere USA

[jm-9]

On 2/7/2022 at 5:26 AM, Anywhere USA said:

Finally beat it by killing myself right before the final leg, going from Eaglewood Hospital to the Bridge was faster.

 

All that’s left is the No Law Penatrator, but I’m calling it a night. I’ll give San Andreas a shot tomorrow. 

That's a unique way of beating a mission that only works in GTA 1 and the London games. Glad you didn't find Mandarin Mayhem too bad so far. It definitely gets more difficult as the required amount of money rises. Just make sure not to get busted without a gat out of jail free card - it halves your multiplier!

 

Also, if you're using the official map (or a printout of it) I believe that some of the Pay n' Sprays are marked in the incorrect locations for San Andreas. One I remember is in fact just to the left of the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge (or whatever it's called here).

 

It's always fun to visit San Andreas city, after it changing to being a state in GTA SA and GTA V.

[Anywhere USA]

7 hours ago, jm-9 said:

That's a unique way of beating a mission that only works in GTA 1 and the London games. Glad you didn't find Mandarin Mayhem too bad so far. It definitely gets more difficult as the required amount of money rises. Just make sure not to get busted without a gat out of jail free card - it halves your multiplier!

 

Also, if you're using the official map (or a printout of it) I believe that some of the Pay n' Sprays are marked in the incorrect locations for San Andreas. One I remember is in fact just to the left of the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge (or whatever it's called here).

 

It's always fun to visit San Andreas city, after it changing to being a state in GTA SA and GTA V.

Yeah. I'm gonna need to maintain my streak to get enough cash.

 

But overall the missions seemed easier then Heist Almighty. Time limits were mostly fair and my failures felt like either my fault or bad luck I could have avoided with a second chance (Two seperate missions I failed because I got back in the car right as they told me to do the next part on foot)

[Anywhere USA]

On 2/7/2022 at 8:02 PM, Anywhere USA said:

Mandarin Mayhem: First Run through (I didn’t earn enough money 

 

I DID NOT BEAT:

 

Any of the first batch of Phone 3 Missions

Phone 4 (first section) Mission 2

That one kill frenzy with the monster race car buggy thing 

Phone 1(section 2) Mission 2

Phone 2 (section 2) Mission 1

Phone 3 (section 2) Mission 2

Phone 4 (Section 2) Mission 1 and 2

Second attempt went slightly better. Got the full batch of Phone 3 Phase 1 missions done, didn’t edge out any of the others. Ended up with 1.6 Million instead of 1.3 when I ran out of missions and lives.

 

I blew a massive multiplier getting busted trying to do the one kill frenzy, f*cked me over.

[Anywhere USA]

First off, in  a failed run I DID manage to get Phone 4 section 1.

 

Secondly, I passed the stage accidentally. I got more then enough points really quickly by chaining together a massive multiplier(getting all the multiplier powerups and then doing all the easy missions), but I INTENDED to get to the second section and try to knock out those missions. Turns out the trigger point for the cutscene is right next to one of the Phone 4 mission items and I accidentally hit it.

[jm-9]

1 hour ago, Anywhere USA said:

First off, in  a failed run I DID manage to get Phone 4 section 1.

 

Secondly, I passed the stage accidentally. I got more then enough points really quickly by chaining together a massive multiplier(getting all the multiplier powerups and then doing all the easy missions), but I INTENDED to get to the second section and try to knock out those missions. Turns out the trigger point for the cutscene is right next to one of the Phone 4 mission items and I accidentally hit it.

Interesting. I never passed a stage while on a mission before. At least now you don't have to worry about the points and can just focus on beating the missions.

[Anywhere USA]

47 minutes ago, jm-9 said:

Interesting. I never passed a stage while on a mission before. At least now you don't have to worry about the points and can just focus on beating the missions.

Mandarin Mayhem has been fun, all the missions feel pretty fun and none are as bullsh*tty as the worst of Heist Almighty.

 

I've heard that Tequilla Slammer is a bitch though, alongside Rasta Blasta. (Bent Cop Blues isn't tooo bad apparently)

 

[Anywhere USA]

I hate how you can’t try any of the second round missions without getting through the first batch. Even failing them takes a while.

 

I’ve gotten through 4 times, and each time I’ve botched all the missions in the second half I’m trying for. I would do some much better if I could properly practice, but I can’t because it takes an hour to get there and by that point my eyes are glazing over.

 

I’m gonna move on to Tequilla Slammer for now, then come back and do all the San Andreas missions I missed later in both chapters.

 

 

Edited February 11 by Anywhere USA

[jm-9]

19 hours ago, Anywhere USA said:

I hate how you can’t try any of the second round missions without getting through the first batch. Even failing them takes a while.

 

I’ve gotten through 4 times, and each time I’ve botched all the missions in the second half I’m trying for. I would do some much better if I could properly practice, but I can’t because it takes an hour to get there and by that point my eyes are glazing over.

 

I’m gonna move on to Tequilla Slammer for now, then come back and do all the San Andreas missions I missed later in both chapters.

 

 

I have a suggestion for this. Download Toshiba-3’s GTA Max Pack, which contains the DOS versions emulated in DOSBOX. Two of the three DOS versions can use the save state feature of DOSBOX. The 3DFX version cannot.

 

If you download that version, copy your save to its GTADATA folder (it’s called player_a.dat in your GTADATA folder), beat the first round of missions and save state at that exact point. That way you’ll be able to restart from after the first set of missions are beaten.

 

Do the same for Tequila Slammer. Beat the stage and all the first round missions in the Windows version, then beat the second round in the Max Pack version.

 

Thankfully this is unnecessary for Vice City.

 

For the record, save states are not part of the original DOS version, they’re a feature of DOSBOX.

[Anywhere USA]

On 2/12/2022 at 11:25 AM, jm-9 said:

I have a suggestion for this. Download Toshiba-3’s GTA Max Pack, which contains the DOS versions emulated in DOSBOX. Two of the three DOS versions can use the save state feature of DOSBOX. The 3DFX version cannot.

 

If you download that version, copy your save to its GTADATA folder (it’s called player_a.dat in your GTADATA folder), beat the first round of missions and save state at that exact point. That way you’ll be able to restart from after the first set of missions are beaten.

 

Do the same for Tequila Slammer. Beat the stage and all the first round missions in the Windows version, then beat the second round in the Max Pack version.

 

Thankfully this is unnecessary for Vice City.

 

For the record, save states are not part of the original DOS version, they’re a feature of DOSBOX.

Nah that’s cheap.

 

also, I installed GTA 2 since it arrived, two things

1. I got some thing about known compatibility issues, the game seemed to run fine, but I’m curious.

 

2. GTA 2 when started, this black bar appeared on the screen hat said automatic adjustment or something, and it suddenly fit perfectly. Can I somehow manually trigger that for GTA 1?

[jm-9]

4 hours ago, Anywhere USA said:

Nah that’s cheap.

 

also, I installed GTA 2 since it arrived, two things

1. I got some thing about known compatibility issues, the game seemed to run fine, but I’m curious.

 

2. GTA 2 when started, this black bar appeared on the screen hat said automatic adjustment or something, and it suddenly fit perfectly. Can I somehow manually trigger that for GTA 1?

Not sure about the black bar, I don't ever remember seeing that. Maybe it's to do with the software for your video card?

 

In December 1999, two months after GTA 2 came out, an update was released for it, updating it from v9.6 to v10.3. It was apparently meant to make the GTA 2 Manager load faster. It also fixed the Wang Cars glitch, a glitch in the Residential district regarding the Wang Cars side mission that was used to make some of the rampages involving vehicles a bit easier.

 

The last thing it did was improve compatibility with Windows 2000, which came out in 1999. I have no idea what issues v9.6 had with it. Windows XP 32-bit is very similar to and is mostly based off Windows 2000, so the patch also very likely improves compatibility with XP also.

 

Here's an archived link to the patch, which I would recommend installing:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20030403155755/http://www.gta2.com/download/patch.zip

 

I have also personally found that any resolution higher than 1024x768 results in a drop in frame rate, but this is on Windows 10, so it may be different on XP. I use a Voodoo 2, which supports the Glide API, on my Windows 98 PC, but even though GTA 2's graphics are slightly sharper using Glide, GTA 2 only supports up to 800x600 using it.

 

Also, I don't know how comfortable you are installing new hardware, but if you have an EAX sound card in your PC, you can check the 3D Sound Enabled checkbox in GTA 2 Manager and get simulated surround sound, even from two speakers.

Edited February 14 by jm-9

[Anywhere USA]

1 hour ago, jm-9 said:

Not sure about the black bar, I don't ever remember seeing that. Maybe it's to do with the software for your video card?

 

In December 1999, two months after GTA 2 came out, an update was released for it, updating it from v9.6 to v10.3. It was apparently meant to make the GTA 2 Manager load faster. It also fixed the Wang Cars glitch, a glitch in the Residential district regarding the Wang Cars side mission that was used to make some of the rampages involving vehicles a bit easier.

 

The last thing it did was improve compatibility with Windows 2000, which came out in 1999. I have no idea what issues v9.6 had with it. Windows XP 32-bit is very similar to and is mostly based off Windows 2000, so the patch also very likely improves compatibility with XP also.

 

Here's an archived link to the patch, which I would recommend installing:

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20030403155755/http://www.gta2.com/download/patch.zip

 

I have also personally found that any resolution higher than 1024x768 results in a drop in frame rate, but this is on Windows 10, so it may be different on XP. I use a Voodoo 2, which supports the Glide API, on my Windows 98 PC, but even though GTA 2's graphics are slightly sharper using Glide, GTA 2 only supports up to 800x600 using it.

 

Also, I don't know how comfortable you are installing new hardware, but if you have an EAX sound card in your PC, you can check the 3D Sound Enabled checkbox in GTA 2 Manager and get simulated surround sound, even from two speakers.

Yeah I think it was something from either my screen or PC, probably the screen since it looked a bit too sleek and modern for XP. It’s a circa mid 2010s Samsung Screen if that helps.

 

Also for some reason this morning my XP desktop is all zoomed in, and I have to scroll the mouse left and right and up and down to see the whole desktop. What’s with that?

 

I’d reboot it, but I’ve got a good run on Tequilla Slammer going 

[Anywhere USA]

Beat Tequilla Slammer.

 

All section 1 missions complete, along with both Phone 1 missions and Phone 2 part 1. Most of the failures came down to the complete lack of guns and armour by that point as my stockpiles were completely depleted throughout the map, or my fear of running out of lives. I also didn’t get the Kill Frenzies as I never felt comfortable enough.

 

I need to complete in the Sailors Wharf section, Phone 2 section 2, Phone 3, and Phone 4, plus the Kill Frenzies.

 

Now with this done I will go back and do al the missed missions, both here and in Mandarin Mayhem.

[jm-9]

16 hours ago, Anywhere USA said:

Beat Tequilla Slammer.

 

All section 1 missions complete, along with both Phone 1 missions and Phone 2 part 1. Most of the failures came down to the complete lack of guns and armour by that point as my stockpiles were completely depleted throughout the map, or my fear of running out of lives. I also didn’t get the Kill Frenzies as I never felt comfortable enough.

 

I need to complete in the Sailors Wharf section, Phone 2 section 2, Phone 3, and Phone 4, plus the Kill Frenzies.

 

Now with this done I will go back and do al the missed missions, both here and in Mandarin Mayhem.

Glad to hear you beat Tequila Slammer. One thing you'll have noticed that isn't in any other GTA game is the genuine fear of running out of items and weapons. It's part of what makes it such a unique experience. I personally found that armour was particularly scarce. Other than that, how did you find the mission difficulty? Also, if you've played GTA III you'll have recognised the mission boss in the cutscene.

 

I'll be interested to hear your opinion of Vice City. It's the only other rendition of it to date besides the one featured in GTA VC and VCS.

[Anywhere USA]

2 hours ago, jm-9 said:

Glad to hear you beat Tequila Slammer. One thing you'll have noticed that isn't in any other GTA game is the genuine fear of running out of items and weapons. It's part of what makes it such a unique experience. I personally found that armour was particularly scarce. Other than that, how did you find the mission difficulty? Also, if you've played GTA III you'll have recognised the mission boss in the cutscene.

 

I'll be interested to hear your opinion of Vice City. It's the only other rendition of it to date besides the one featured in GTA VC and VCS.

Interesting it is.

 

Yeah I’d seen all the cutscenes like a year ago, I knew El Burro was coming. I know they also planned on a few others like the Jamaican Guy or our character Bubba coming back as well, plus the Zaibatsu from GTA 2. El Burro was the only one who made it over though. I honestly prefer homosexual Hispanic gangster El Burro over Zoophile El Burro. (Umberto is basically old El Burro though)

 

Nope, all still seemed pretty fair and reasonable, just that one mission in Heist Almighty with the Bulldog has caught my ire.

 

 

Edited February 15 by Anywhere USA

[Anywhere USA]

Only two missions left to knock out in Mandarin Mayhem, Section Two: Phone 1 and Phone 3 Part 2 

 

Oh and that one damn kill frenzy. Even with a 12 times multiplier I can’t do it 

[Anywhere USA]

Got the Kill Frenzy done.

 

Lost Phone 1’s mission in another try fair and square, and I accidentally started the wrong mission and ran pot of lives with the other one. Both of the remaining missions have heavy firefights so going in with full armour, machine gun ammo, flamethrower ammo, and no wanted level, is crucial.