Grand Theft Auto Vice City™ - A refreshing take on an already classic game

Introduction

The Eighties brought us many things: hot pink, legwarmers, cheesy synth pop, big hair and crime. Drug crime. Lots and lots of drug crime. Of course, we do not mind. All the coke lords and shootouts and vendettas make for a lot of quality entertainment. Without 80's crime we would not have had Miami Vice, Scarface, Tango & Cash, and now Grand Theft Auto Vice City™.

Set firmly in the Reagan Era, Vice City is a continuation of everything you learned from the first game. If you think that by now you are a smooth criminal, think again. Vice City packs a lot of new stuff into the experience: new missions, new weapons, new music, new cars, tons of secret jumps and hidden packages, and, of course, lots and lots of cops to avoid.

The game has added some cool features as well. Now you can buy up pieces of the city, ride motorcycles and scooters, aim, ghost ride cars, go inside buildings, and much more. it is an even fuller experience than the last game.

You are Tommy Vercetti sent south from Liberty City to Vice City, Florida to do some business; some drug business, with some unsavory cats who just might have it in for you. But the deal goes sour and you have to figure out what went wrong and survive the streets of Vice City. Maybe there are some opportunities for expansion.

Basics

The World of Vice City

The point of this game is escape — escape into a lifestyle that most of us will never experience. That said, Rockstar has done a beautiful job diversifying the ways you can escape into this huge adventure. You can choose to play through the "main game" by completing missions, working your way up the crime world, and ultimately, seeing the entire story play out. But there is so much more to do. you will marvel at the size and scope of this game the more you play it.

Extra Missions

There are certain jobs that are critical to perform to complete the story, and others which are side-quests. The path through the game determines when these will be opened to you.

Assassination Missions

Early in the game, you will get a cell phone that will lead to many of the Extra Missions in the game. A mysterious voice will call the cell phone and tell you to get to a pay phone somewhere in the city. There, you will hear the voice detail a deadly mission, and leave you instructions how to perform it.

Gang Missions

The Cubans and Haitians dislike each other intensely. These missions will come via the cell phone. After you are contacted, go to the Cafe (Little Havana-Cubans) or to Auntie Poulet's (Little Haiti-Haitians) to trigger them.

Biker Missions

Mayhem and destruction ensue. These can be done once the biker bar is opened to you downtown (it is indicated by a Spade on the map). Do a good job for Big Mitch and he will reward you.

Love Fist Missions

The world's scummiest rock band has some jobs for you to do. they will be available at the V-Rock building, but only after the band initially contacts you.

Property Missions

After purchasing certain businesses, new challenges will be opened up to you. For instance, after you buy the Showroom, there is a car theft mission you can complete to score some brand new rides.

Vehicle Missions

Hopping into certain rides will allow you to trigger missions to mae some extra cash and bonuses. Press R3 and you will be on your way. Vehicles with missions are: Pizza Boy, Taxi, Fire Truck, Ambulance, Cop Car. You can also find some Checkpoint Races and RC Missions to keep you busy.

Going on Rampages

When you find a skull icon somewhere, it is time for a Rampage. A Rampage calls on you to kill a specific number of gang members in a required amount of time, using a predetermined weapon.

Finding Hidden Packages

There are 100 Hidden Packages in the game, scattered in various unlikely places on the map. Collecting them yields bonuses that can be added to your safe houses, so it behooves you to start looking early.

Performing Insane and Unique Stunt Jumps

You can earn money and prestige by completing crazy jumps and stunts located throughout the game. Insane stunts bring you money and fame (well, at least in the Stats department), but Unique Stunt Jumps are needed to fully complete the game.

Sticking Up Stores

Another anti-social activity you can engage in is sticking up various establishments. This is a quick way to get money, and you need to do it to fully complete the game.

Buying Stuff

You make a lot of money for pulling jobs, and need stuff to spend it on. GTA: Vice City to the rescue. There is tons of stuff to buy in this game, including real estate property that can be used to make money of its own. In addition, each time you are sent to get new clothes in the game, those same duds are available for you to wear around.

In order to 100‰ the game, you have to do many of things, such as:

• Complete the Main Story
• Complete Extra Missions
• Complete All Rampages
• Buy All Possible Properties
• Perform All 36 Unique Stunt Jumps
• Stick Up All Stores
• Collect All 100 Hidden Packages

Controls

You can also find the controls listed in the Pause screen that can be found any time during gameplay. The game also allows you to change your control configuration from this screen.

On Foot

• Move
• Move Camera
• Run
• Jump
• Enter Vehicle
• Attack
• Action
• Aim Weapon
• / Change Weapon
• Crouch
• Look Behind
• Change Camera View
• Pause/Unpause

In a Vehicle

• left/ Steer Left
• right/ Steer Right
• /: Lean Forward/Back
• Accelerate
• Brake/Reverse
• Fire Weapon
• Exit Vehicle
• Emergency brake
• Change radio station
• Horn
• left/right look left/right
• Turret control (sub-missions)
• Change camera view
• Pause/Unpause

Pick-ups

There are several pick-ups that you can get throughout the course of the game They are represented by icons during gameplay. Walk into one of these icons to feel its effects. These pick-ups will help you get out of trouble in one way or another:

Heart

A Heart pick-up restores your health to full. These are extremely valuable, especially when being dogged by people trying to kill you. Use them when your health is really low. In order not to waste the full charge of life.

Body Armor

This basically relegates you another life. It will appear next to your health meter as another 100. That way, if you are taking damage, it has to eat into the Body Armor before actually chipping away at your health. Make sure you pick some up before heading into any major mission.

Adrenaline

This slows the game down Matrix-style and allow you to perform functions in a slowed-down world. Use this when swarmed with enemies in order to be able to more readily deal with each baddie individually. This pick-up also allows you to have super-strength. Any punching you do sends your opponent flying. You can also push heavy cars around quite effortlessly.

Bribes

These star-shaped icons lower your wanted level one star. These can save your life at a three or four star rating, so memorize their locations and know how to get back there.

Lost?

If ever you do not know where you are in the city, there are several ways to quickly determine where you are at. First off, pause the game. The pause screen defaults to a map, and this is easily searchable. Press X to go to the map function. After studying it, make sure you turn the Legend off by pressing X again so you can see the entire area. The map is zoomed out as far as it goes right off the bat, showing the entire game area. A giant pink arrow is pointing to your position on the map. You can zoom in to see a detailed view of the area you are in by pressing R1, and zoom back out again by pressing R2. While zoomed, move around the map using the left analog stick or D-Pad.

Another way you can get your bearings is by pausing and unpausing quickly. Each time you come back to the game, the name of the area you are in appears on the screen. You can also use the small inset map in the bottom left corner of the screen to help find your way. A pink dot points the way to your next objective.

Forgot What You Were Doing?

Since its so easy to get lost in other activities while playing Vice City, it is easy to forget what you have been up to. To help you remember, a Brief function can be found at the pause menu. Navigate to it and hit X to bring up the display. The Brief screen displays the last few messages you have received, including Stunt Jump info, and communications with characters.

Track Your Progress With Stats

Stats are primarily for fun, although they also help you keep track of where you are in the game. They can be found at the Pause menu. The Stats screen tracks all kinds of statistics — from the wacky to the sadistic. Track how far you are in the game, how many vehicles you have wrecked, what you cost the police department, how many people you killed, how many missions you have completed and what your favorite radio station has been.

At the top of this screen is your Criminal Rating. You get both a title and a numerical rank that reflects your status in the game. It gets better as you complete more missions. you start as a complete scrub, then work up to Ex Con, Bag Man, or better.

Breaking the Law

Wanted Level

Since you play the role of criminal in Vice City, your primary opponent is the police. For the most part, you want to keep a low profile in town... it will allow you to go about your business more effectively.

To do this, you will have to avoid doing several things in front of the police:

• Jacking cars: It is the name of the game, but if a cop sees you do it, he comes after you.
• Running pedestrians over: As in life, draws unwanted attention from the boys in blue.
• Shooting people: Shoot all you want when the cops are not around, but when they are in sight, lay off the trigger. If you shoot a cop, then you are in a world of hurt.
• Damaging property: This one is tricky. Cops will not nail you if are knocking down light poles, but they might take notice if you are wrecking cars left and right, especially cop cars.
• Going into restricted areas: Like the police station. Going through a sign that says "restricted" will cause a minimum Two Star wanted level.

A wanted level occurs when a member of law enforcement sees you do something wrong. There are varying levels of attention you can draw, based on your offenses. If you do something really bad (like running over a cop or going on a killing spree), your wanted level rises rapidly. If you continue your antisocial behavior, more and more stars are added to your wanted level, bringing more law enforcement to bear on you. The higher the number of stars, the harder it is for you to move around and not get caught. In addition, if you are really wanted, the cops gun you down or run you over to get you to stop. Otherwise, you are busted and have to take a trip to the police station. Either way, all of your weapons will be stripped from you, and an arrest will be added to your Stats rap sheet.

One Star

Any cop in your immediate area takes note. If on foot, any cop who is also hoofing it can catch you. If in a car, a squad might follow you, but not too aggressively. If stopped, you run the risk of a walking cop dragging you from your ride and busting you. The cops do not have much firepower at this level, and they are easy to avoid.

Two Stars

If you are in a vehicle, the coppers get a little more chippy. Expect to see two of them in your rear view at all times. they try to run you off the road and corner you so they can rip you out of your ride. If on foot, they may try to knock you down with their vehicles, or take some shots at you.

Three Stars

Cheetah is on the prowl. Undercover cops sporting upturned collars and autmatic weapons are added to the chase. These guys are much faster than average cops and better drivers. In addition to the Cheetahs and increased police agitation, minor roadblocks appear. They are easy to drive around if you see them in time.

Four Stars

It is starting to get really bad. Instead of roadblocks, the cops pull out the tire strips to blow out your wheels. you also see SWAT vans joining the party, in addition to Hunter helicopters. If your level is up to four, definitely get to a Pay N' Spray if possible.

Five Stars

Now the FBI is in on the action. They do not add much to the fun, except more vehicles to get in your way. They drive black trucks.

Six Stars

It is pretty tough to get to the rarified heights of six stars but it is doable. In this case, the army is called into action. Unless you are in a Rhino tank yourself, you are likely screwed. These guys bring assault helis, tanks, trucks and plenty of soldiers. You know you have been a bad man when it is martial law.

Getting Out of Trouble

If your wanted level is a mere one star, all you have to do is stay out of the policeman's eyesight for a bit, and the wanted level goes away. Pursuit in motor vehicles is weak at best. so just find a quiet neighborhood to drive around in, or run to a secluded spot and just wait it out.

One easy way to drop your warning level is to change clothes. You can do this at your safehouse or go to a store (like Rafael's). Changing clothes clears up to a two-star rating. Get used to knowing where clothing changes are located so you can quickly scoot over and clear your rating, then continue with your dastardly business.

If the wanted level is higher, you need to get to a Pay N' Spray. There are two of them on the map — one as you get off of the Starfish Island bridge (in Little Havana), and one in the southern tip of Ocean Beach. To make it happen, drive into the garage. It costs $100 which is hardly anything when you consider you stay out of jail for a night. After you get your car sprayed, you have to be nice for awhile. While your stars are flashing, you have to stay completely out of trouble, or your warning level reverts to its orginal glory.

Another way to whittle away at your wanted level is to find Bribe icons and walk over them. Doing this lowers your wanted level by one star, which could be the difference between freedom and the slammer. The final way to drop a wanted level is to finish a mission. Even if you are at six stars, the second you finish, the threat goes away.

If You Die or Get Busted

In the unfortunate circumstance that you die or get busted, you are taken to the hospital or hospital immediately. That means you lose your current mission, be stripped of your weapons, and lose some money as well. what is more frustrating is that you are transported to the nearest place, but that could be a long distance away from where you were.

Luckily, a taxi added to the GTA universe that takes you back to the site of your last mission attempt. Whenever you step outside of the hospital/cop shop, glance across the block. The cab with a lavender arrow over it is what you are looking for. It costs $9, but usually, it is well worth that.

Weapons & Tools

Walking through a weapon will pick it up and make it available for your use. Use the R2 and L2 buttons to cycle through your weapon selections. If using a weapon with targeting or sniping capabilities, use R1 to do that.

You can only carry one weapon of each type at a time. Nine different types of weapons and a camera is the maximum loadout. If you move over a weapon whose type is already in your arsenal, you will have to make a decision. To switch, hit L1. Below, you will find a description of each weapon in the game.

Hand-to-Hand Weapons

Brass Knuckles

These are really it for hand-to-hand weapons. Slightly better than fists, the Brass Knuckles help you

Melee Weapons

Screw Driver

Think about how a screwdriver would feel going into your abdomen.

Golf Club

Whenever you get into a golf cart, you will get a Club as long as you have no other melee weapon. Or just beat someone silly on the course and take theirs. This weapon has a cool factor of 10 when used in the city. especially when sporting the Jocksport threads.

Hammer

Yeah, it is a claw hammer.

Nightstick

Whenever you take down a cop, you get one of these. it is as effective a melee weapon as any, and has that added cache of being taken off of law enforcement.

Baseball Bat

Now we are talking. Go Barry Bonds on someone's face with this polished piece of cherry. Good for knocking people on their asses. Can be found at most neighborhood hardware stores.

Knife

“that is the last time you stick a knife in me, Pagoda.” A real man picks up a real weapon and go to work.

Cleaver

As in meat cleaver. As in "buh-bye Mr. Arm." Up close, this puppy will make man into Manwich.

Machete

Good for hacking through jungles... and people (just ask Mr. Voorhees). The Machete is a pretty lethal weapon when used in close quarters.

Katana

This rad Japanese blade deals slicing damage. Find one in the back office of the Tarbrush Cafe in the North Point Mall.

Chainsaw

Just get up close and carve away. This weapon is a little cumbersome, but it earns style points. You can earn this beast for your hideout when you collect a mere 20 packages.

Explosives

Grenades

These are especially effective in stairwells or to throw into a mess of cars to create big, big explosions. Buy them at Ammu-Nation in the mall.

Teargas

Get these at the VCPD. they are not much use, unless you like crying people.

Molotov

These, on the other hand, are very nice. Hold the throw button (Circle) longer to throw further. These are good for destroying storefronts and torching villages.

Bomb/Detonator

Get this at 8-Ball's near the docks. He will rig your ride with a bomb, and you hold the button. Park it next to something you hate and click!

Pistols

Colt 45

The standard weapon. Get this off of cop corpses.

Colt Python

Much more like a Magnum, this guy packs a serious wallop. One shot and a victim is dead.

Shotguns

Chromed Shotgun

C'mon... who chrome-plates a shotgun? I mean, honestly.

Spaz Shotgun

Spazzy people will pay. This is a fast-loading, death-dealing dynamo of the first order. Also a one shot kill.

Stubby Shotgun

Sawed off, like your mom. I do not even know what that means. This gun is cooler than most, and it works like most.

Uzis

Tec-9

"You wanna make noise, make noise. I make a phone call..." You fill in the blanks. Dre rapped about this weapon for a reason. It puts a lot of holes in something in a short amount of time. While it does not get the job done as tight as an MP5, it is still quite lovely. Plus, like the June Jones Atlanta Falcons, you can Run N' Shoot.

Ingram Mac 10

This sucker spits lead at an unprecendented rate, allowing you to do damage in a hurry.

Uzi 9mm

Across the street from the movie studio, you can find one of these bobbing in the breeze. it is a tight little automatic that can be fired while in motion. A great drive-by weapon as well.

MP5

This baby can eventually be purchased at the Ammu-Nation Downtown for a cozy sum of $3000. it is worth it, though. This is the super-accurate weapon the FBI is using when they drop you bloody and worthless on the cold pavement.

Assault Rifles

Ruger

The trusty Ruger will allow you to target and dish out head shots left and right.

Colt M4

A peachy assault rifle, this one has both power and class.

The Heavy Stuff

Rocket Launcher

The creme de la creme. Use this on cars, people, goats. it is great for taking out big targets quickly, and intimidating smaller targets to the point of urination.

Flame Thrower

Although gun-like, this is a close quarters weapon. it is best used to get vehicles cooking in order to explode them. Make sure you do not run into the flame. Unless you passed the Fire Truck mission at Level 12, that hurts.

M60

This is one bad-ass machine gun. Heavier than most, it packs a lot of power in its massive muzzle. Wield it with reckless abandon and watch the suckers fall.

Minigun

If you have never shot one of these, you are missing out. This powerhouse discharges bullets at the rate of about a billion/second. it is not uncommon to saw a target in half with the stream of lead.

Sniper Rifles

Sniper Rifle

This one is a little slow on the reload (kinda like grandpa), but if you only have a couple of targets, this is the one for you.

PSG-1

A good weapon, simply because it can fire multiple times quickly in sniper mode. If you are a crappy shot, look into this gun.

Vehicles

There are a plethora of new vehicles available in Vice City, including motorcycles and helicopters. These two vehicles add a lot to the experience, as do the speedboats, scooters, golf carts, baggage handlers and other odd additions to the catalog of rides. what is cool is that virtually any vehicle you see in the game is able to be stolen, then driven or flown.

Jacking a Car

This is the bread and butter of the game. To steal someone's ride, run up next to the car and press Triangle. As long as the car is going slowly enough, you dig the person out of the passenger side and take the ride over. If there is a second passenger, it is possible to take off while they are still inside. They scream and carry on so much that you have to pull over and stop just to make the insanity stop.

Jacking a car is most effectively done from the front. Stand directly in front of the vehicle (most do not run you over) and press Triangle and Tommy moves around the car and take it over. Simple. It is not as easy to jack a car while running alongside it, although that can be done. Most cars speed up and try to avoid you. The rest of the traffic obeys the law, so you can camp out at intersections and steal from there.

Using the Car as a Weapon

Once you get inside a car, the fun begins. You can use it however you want. We prefer to use it like a deadly weapon. If you are going to do this, make sure whoever you take on is of equal size or smaller. The idea behnd ramming another car effectively is to get up a huge head of steam and plow into it. If you can T-bone it, all the better. The more things you can get another car to hit into, the better. Pinning a car against a wall is also effective. Just keep backing up and slamming it into the building.

Using Weapons in Your Car

When you go riding, it is a good idea to have an Uzi along. That way, if need be, you can stick that sucker out the window and spray whoever is hassling you. To do this, press R2 or L2 and you will see your car from the side. Press Circle to fire. Do this as you are passing someone, or pin them in the corner and just rain fire. When they catch fire, peel out or you will be barbecue.

A Word on Motorcycles

Motorcycles are new to this year's game. They allow you to go places you never could before... up stair sets, in narrow alleys, etc. There are a wide variety of bikes in the game, but they all share a few common traits.

First off, riding a motorcycle allows you to pop wheelies. To do this, pull back on the Left Analog. Tweak the wheelie as you go to maintain the front tire in the air as long as possible. it is a good idea to "pump" the gas to stay in the air. Lightly tapping the X button helps in this regard. You can earn money for doing long enough wheelies.

The opposite of a wheelie is a stoppie. To perform this, press Square and R1 simultaneously. The motorcycle will come to a stop and momentarily balance on its front wheel. The longer you can hold it, the better. You can earn money for this maneuver as well.

The last thing motorcycles and scooters allow you to do is shoot forward. If you are ever on a mission where you need to chase someone down, grab an Uzi and a PCJ and go to town. Just press Circle to fire and the spray will issue forth from the front of the bike. This is an effective tool that can be utilized in tons of creative ways. Are you an artist?

Driving Tips

• it is more important to drive under control than it is to drive fast. you will avoid getting spun around and banged up, which becomes very crucial in certain missions.
• When you are going fast, avoid sudden movements. These will cause your car to spin out, flip, roll, etc.
• If your car is banged up and smoking, get another one. If the mission requires you to stay in the same car. hurry up and get it to a Pay N' Spray! If a car starts flaming, get out fast, then run. it is about to blow. You will not survive if you are anywhere in the explosion halo.
• Use the R1 button on turns. it is there for a reason. you will be able to keep some of your speed by sliding through a turn, rather than braking sharply and then turning.
• Know the limitations of your vehicle. For instance, do not take an Infernus to a demolition derby... it is called an Infernus for a reason. Likewise, if a mission calls for a fast car, do not grab a heiffer like Mr. Whoopee to do the job.
• Be alert. This sounds stupid, but it is not. There is so much going on in the city that it is sometimes difficult to see where everything is coming from. Focus on driving when you are driving and you will avoid a lot of heartache.
• Vice City allows you to get a bonus for driving on two wheels. Get into a tipsy car (like a Kaufman Cab) and hit the curb edge, then try to balance it as long as possible to rack up points.

Real Estate

Businesses

Once you complete the “Shakedown” mission, immediately after taking over, several businesses become available for you to buy. This helps make your organization seem legit, when clearly it is not.

The businesses are costly upfront, but they provide still more save points. In addition, once certain conditions are met, these places begin to make you money. Often, these conditions involve completing the missions for that specific property. Once a property is making cash, stop by and touch the $ outside in order to collect what is yours. For more information on how to start making money, peruse the list of properties below.

The Boatyard: Viceport ($10,000)

The Boatyard affords you some interesting options including access to your own endless supply of high-speed boats. it is run by a pair of stoned-out surfer dudes, and they will not give you any problems. Once you complete the single Boatyard mission, “Checkpoint Charlie,” the place garners a good bit of loot.

Cherry Popper Ice Cream Factory ($20,000)

Purchase this crooked establishment — which is really a front for a drug business — and you are well on your way to being even sleazier. you have to complete the Ice Cream Factory Property Mission, but once you do that, the place will generate $2000.

The Pole Position Club: Ocean Beach ($30,000)

Upon purchasing this business, the Mr. Vercetti Outfit becomes available at Collar and Cuffs. The Pole Position Club is a good first business to acquire. it is a strip club, and can start yielding instant dividends for you.

In order to make the place profitable, go to the back of the club. Enter the hallway here and go in the first door on the left. Sit for a private dance until about $500-600 of your money is ticked away. Go have a snack, this could be awhile. However, once you have spent the cash, the club starts yielding daily dividends — up to $4000 per day.

Kaufman Cabs ($40,000)

This little gem in the heart of Little Haiti gives you access to some of the more enjoyable side-missions in the game. Once you complete all of its missions, keep coming back daily to collect the $5000.

Car Showroom ($50,000)

The Showroom is good to own for a number of reasons. First, it gives you access to all of the checkpoint race missions. Second, it provides another save point. Third, it allows you to store a number of vehicles in its spacious basement garage. There is also a Spray N' Go down there, in case you need to beat the heat. In addition, if you steal cars and fill up the garage (with certain specific vehicles), you unlock some swank new rides. All in all, it is a good bargain for the price.

Movie Studio ($60,000)

The only good thing on Prawn Island, the Studio gives you access to the Steve Scott missions, which you need to do to complete the story arch. It also provides a save point and plenty of nifty exploring opportunities.

Printworks ($70,000)

Every crime family needs a good counterfeit money operation, and this is where yours exists. Once you do all the missions associated with it, you are in good shape, collecting up to $8000 a day from this place. If you need Body Armor, there is some on the roof.

The Malibu Club: Vice Point ($120,000)

you are used to coming to this place to chat with Kent Paul. Now you can own it. However, the only way it makes money is if you complete its Property Missions. Do these and the club could be quite lucrative. Well worth the price tag. you also need to own this club in order to finish the main story.

Safe Houses

Not all of these safe houses are crucial. In fact, you can get by without a lot of them. However, since you need to own all properties to 100% the game, you will likely end up acquiring them anyway. Key properties include the Hyman Condo (it has a helicopter), Skumole Shack in Downtown and El Swanko Casa in Vice Point.

Ocean View Hotel: Ocean Beach

This is your safe house from the beginning, and you do not have to buy it. Save in the lobby. Your clothes and other goodies are located on the second floor.

Vercetti Estate: Starfish Island

After you take over Ricardo Diaz's mansion, this serves as a save point, as well as the base for your operations. The clothes and save function can be found up in the office. Power-ups that you have unlocked can be found around the estate. Also, after you complete the "Cop Land" mission, $5000 is available in front of your mansion every day.

El Swanko Casa: Vice Point

At $8000, this is a lucious buy. Not only does it have a sweet pool and great view, but the location is good (near the police station), and this property sports a garage in the front yard. This allows you to store sweet vehicles you have jacked for use after you save. Buy this place first, and you are not sorry.

3321 Vice Point: Vice Point

Located near the North Point Mall, this is the cheapest property on the right beach, at $2000. Its location is good for when you open the second island, because it is a pretty quick jaunt over the Prawn Island bridge.

1102 Washington Street: Washington Beach

Not all that useful, simply because it is close to the Ocean View. But what the hell, you have got the money, right? This building is across from Ken's offices and costs a paltry $3000.

Skumole Shack: Downtown

Remember the biker bar? Down the street a bit is a metal staircase leading up to a rooftop. The Skumole Shack is up there. A save-only spot, this is a good place for one, considering all of the mission action in the Downtown area. Only $1000, too.

Links View Apartments

In Washington Beach across from Leaf Links. that is why it is got the name it does.This property is useful if you want to 100% the game or save another car (there is a garage on site), but is not all that crucial. This building costs $6000.

Ocean Heights: Ocean Beach

At the south tip of Ocean Beach, the location of this property leaves something to be desired, but at least it has a garage, which is key if you have a rare ride to store. The price? A cozy $7000.

Hyman Condo: Downtown

This is a sweet chunk of real estate, if you can afford it. It costs $14,000, but gives you access to a roof helicopter and two garages. To get to the helicopter, go in the Building Access door next to the garages. It also allows you to save. Conveniently located next to the stadium, this is by far the best safe house property in the game. There is also a Bribe located nearby. This condo has everything!

Changing Clothes

There are several smashing new fashions to be had at various Vice City boutiques. Often, these new clothes are unlocked by beating specific missions. In the Mission section of this guide, we explain when the various costumes are unlocked. However, here is a quick primer as to which threads you can get where:

• Street Outfit: Your normal clothes. This is unlocked after "An Old Friend." Find it at Ocean View Hotel and (later) Vercetti Estates.
• Soiree Outfit: A totally 80's suit. Gag me. It will be unlocked when you finish "The Party" mission (Ken). you will find it at Rafael's.
• Coveralls: After you rough up some construction workers during the "Riot" mission (Ken), find these duds inside Tooled Up (North Point Mall).
• Country Club Outfit: you will get this snappy ensemble when you complete Carrington's "Four Iron" mission. it will be waiting for you outside Leaf Links' clubhouse.
• Havana Outfit: Once you complete Carrington's "Two Bit Hit," this article of clothing will become available in Little Havana, at Little Havana Streetwear… except that you cannot get in the store to get to it. Glitchy, but true.
• Mr. Vercetti Outfit: Once you purchase the Pole Position, this nice suit will arrive at Collars & Cuffs (it is got a double meaning in the criminal world. you figure it out).
• Tracksuit: After you do Diaz's "Supply and Demand" job, you will find this suit at the Jocksport Downtown.
• Cop Outfit: Finish "Cop Land" to unlock the pig duds. Go into the Washington Beach police department and check out the locker room to find it.
• Bank Job Outfit: Finish "The Job" (Malibu), and this will be unlocked at the aforementioned club.

Ammu-Nation & Hardware Stores

There are several hardware stores sprinkled throughout the Vice City area. In the hardware stores, you can buy pretty much only buy melee weapons: anything from a hammer to a katana. Hardware stores are represented by a hammer icon on the maps. Here are the stores and what they offer:

Tooled Up (North Point Mall):

Screwdriver: $10
Hammer: $20
Meat Cleaver: $50
Knife: $90
Katana: $300

Screw This (Little Havana):

Screwdriver: $10
Hammer: $20
Meat Cleaver: $50
Machete: $100
Chainsaw: $500

Bunch of Tools (Washington Beach):

Screwdriver: $10
Hammer: $20
Meat Cleaver: $50
Baseball Bat: $80
Machete: $100

In Ammu-Nation, you can buy a whole lot more. There are three total Ammu-Nation stores — one in the Downtown, one in Vice Point and one in Ocean Beach. here is what they offer:

Ocean Beach

Colt 45: $100
Ingram Mac 10: $300
Shotgun: $500
Ruger: $1000
BodyArmor: $200

Vice Point (North Point Mall)

Colt 45: $100
Uzi 9mm: $400
Stubby shotgun: $600
Sniper rifle: $1500
Grenades: $300
Body Armor: $200

Downtown

Colt Python: $2000
MP5: $3000
Spaz shotgun: $4000
M4: $5000
PSG1: $6000
Body Armor: $200

Shooting Range

In addition to weaponry, the Downtown location of Ammu-Nation offers a Shooting Range mission after you complete the Malibu mission "The Shootist." Head back to the range and step on the pink marker to compete in the same kind of competition you did against Phil Cassidy. The rules are a bit different. This time, you must reach a score of 30 in a one-round tourney. Get more than 30, and you score $500. If you get a score of over 45, you unlock Fast Load, which allows you to shoot without the hassle of waiting for another clip.

Knocking Off Stores

In order to 100% the game, you have to knock over fifteen reputable establishments. They are scattered all over the map, and are distinguished by the fact that, well, you can actually walk into them. Unless it is a pizza place or Ammu-nation, a business that you can walk into (indicated by dull glass panes outside) is a pontential target.

To hold a place up, walk inside and aim at the cashier. The longer you aim, the more money is given over. Eventually, every single held up employee goes for the alarm. You can shoot them before they do, or just hightail it out of there.

The trick to knocking off stores is having a getaway plan, because the second you rob a store, your wanted level goes up. Scope the area to know where the good Bribes are, or if you can quickly get to your save house. Always plan your escape before you go in, or you could end up getting busted or wasted.

There are fifteen total stick-uppable shops. Check the Stats under "Stores Knocked Off" to determine how many you have held up.

1. Jewelry Store: North Point Mall (First floor)

   Do not go above two stars on your Wanted Level and you can just run to the Gash to get out of danger.

2. Tooled Up (Hardware Store - next to Ammu-Nation on the first floor): North Point Mall

   Do not go above two stars on your Wanted Level and you can just run to the Gash to get out of danger.

3. Gash: North Point Mall (Second floor)

   Do not go above two stars on your Wanted Level and you can change clothes out front to get out of danger.

4. Music Store: North Point Mall (Second floor)

   Do not go above two stars on your Wanted Level and you can just run to the Gash to get out of danger.

5. Pharmacy: Downtown (Near Rock City)

   >There is a Jocksport nearby for a quick change of clothes after the robbery.

6. Jewelry Store: Downtown (Across the street kitty corner from the Love Fist Studio)

   There is a Jocksport nearby for a quick change of clothes after the robbery.

7. 24/7: Little Havana (Donut Shop - Down the street from Cherry Popper Factory, under the Exploder sign)

   it is a quick jaunt across the bridge to the mansion to clear your Wanted Level.

8. Screw This: Little Havana (Hardware store - Right across from the Rockstar building)

   Vercetti Estates is easily drivable to drop your Wanted Level.

9. Laundromat: Little Havana (Behind the Print Works)

   Rob the place, then go back inside to change clothes. Beautiful.

10. Ryton Aide Pharmacy: Little Haiti (Next to Pay N' Spray)

    A short trip to Vercetti Estates will clear your good name.

11. Jewelry Store: Vice Point (Near the bridge to Leaf Links)

12. Bunch of Tools: Washington Beach (Hardware store - across the bridge from the Washington Beach police station).

13. Dispensary: Vice Point (Near the Vice Point hospital)

14. Corner Store: Vice Point (One block east of the Dispensary)

15. Robina's Cafe: Little Havana (West Side)

    Once you have finished the Cuban missions (or before), go to Robina's Cafe and stick it up.

Cheats

All codes must be entered while playing.
All directional cheats (up, down, left, right) are to be entered with the dialog pad, not the analog stick.

• Black, B, R, White, Left, R, L, Black, White
  Aggressive Drivers
• R, Black, L, A, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up
  Armor
• Right, L, B, White, Left, A, R, L, L, A
  Bikini Girls With Guns
• B, White, Up, R, Left, A, R, L, Left, B
  Black Cars
• Black, White, R, L, White, Black, X, Y, B, Y, White, L
  Blow Up Cars
• Right, Black, B, R, White, X, R, Black
  Cars Can Drive on Water
• Right, Right, Left, Up, L, White, Left, Up, Down, Right
  Change Clothes
• R, A, Y, Right, Black, X, Up, Down, X
  Change Vehicle Wheel Size (Repeat to change more)
• Right, Black, B, R, White, Down, L, R
  Dodo Cheat (Press Analog Stick back to Fly)
• R, Black, L, B, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up
  Health
• Right, R, Up, White, White, Left, R, L, R, R
  Higher Top Speed For Your Vehicle
• B, A, L, L, Black, A, A, B, Y
  Ladies Man (certain women follow you)
• R, R, B, Black, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down
  Lower Wanted Level
• Down, Up, Up, Up, A, Black, R, White, White
  Peds Hate You (Warning code cannot be undone)
• Black, R, A, Y, A, Y, Up, Down
  Peds have Weapons (Warning code cannot be undone)
• Down, Left, Up, Left, A, Black, R, White, L
  Peds Riot (Warning code cannot be undone)
• Y, R, R, Left, R, L, Black, L
  Perfect Handling
• B, L, Down, White, Left, A, R, L, Right, A
  Pink Cars
• B, Black, Down, R, Left, Right, R, L, A, White
  Play As Candy Suxxx
• R, B, Black, L, Right, R, L, A, Black
  Play As Hilary King
• Right, L, Up, White, L, Right, R, L, A, R
  Play As Ken Rosenberg
• B, White, Left, A, R, L, A, L
  Play As Lance Vance
• Down, L, Down, White, Left, A, R, L, A, A
  Play As Love Fist Guy #1
• R, White, Black, L, Right, Black, Left, A, X, L
  Play As Love Fist Guy #2
• Black, L, Up, L, Right, R, Right, Up, B, Y
  Play As Mercedes
• Right, R, Up, Black, L, Right, R, L ,Right, B
  Play As Phil Cassady
• L, White, R, Black, Down, L, Black, White
  Play As Ricardo Diaz
• B, L, B, White, Left, A, R, L, A, A
  Play As Sonny Forelli
• B, L, Down, White, Left, A, R, L, Right, A
  Police Return From Dead
• R, R, B, Black, Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right
  Raise Wanted Level
• Black, White, L, B, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up
  Repair vehicle tires
• Y, Up, Right, Down, X, Black, R
  Slow Down Time
• Up, Right, Right, L, Right, Up, X, White
  Spawn A Bloodring Banger
• Down, R, B, White, White, A, R, L, Left, Left
  Spawn A Bloodring Racer
• B, L, Up, R, White, A, R, L, B, A
  Spawn A Caddie
• R, B, Black, Right, L, White, A, A, X, R
  Spawn A Hotring Racer #1
• Black, L, B, Right, L, R, Right, Up, B, Black
  Spawn A Hotring Racer #2
• Black, Up, White, Left, Left, R, L, B, Right
  Spawn A Love Fist
• B, B, L, B, B, B, L, White, R, Y, B, Y
  Spawn A Rhino tank
• Down, Black, Down, R, White, Left, R, L, Left, Right
  Spawn A Romero's Hearse
• Right, White, Down, White, White, A, R, L, B, Left
  Spawn A Sabre Turbo
• B, R, B, R, Left, Left, R, L, B, Right
  Spawn A Trashmaster
• B, B, L, X, L, X, X, X, L, Y, B, Y
  Speed Up Time
• Right, White, Down, R, Left, Left, R, L, White, L
  Suicide
• White, Down, R, Left, Left, R, L, White, L
  Suicide
• R, Black, L, Black, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up
  Weapons #1
• R, Black, L, Black, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Down, Left
  Weapons #2
• R, Black, L, Black, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Down, Down
  Weapons #3

GTA:VC Xbox Weather Cheats

• Black, A, L, L, White, White, White, Y
  Cloudy Weather
• Black, A, L, L, White, White, White, A
  Foggy Weather
• Black, A, L, L, White, White, White, B
  Stormy Weather
• Black, A, L, L, White, White, White, Down
  Sunny Weather
• Black, A, L, L, White, White, White, X
  Very Cloudy Weather

Unlockables

GTA: Vice City Hidden Package Rewards

The weapons can be found at the 3 major hideouts. The Sea Sparrow can be found behind the Diaz Mansion. The Rhino and Hunter can be found at the air force base.

Unlockable: How to Unlock

• Body Armor
  10 Hidden Packages
• Chainsaw
  20 Hidden Packages
• Flamethrower
  40 Hidden Packages
• Hunter/$100 000
  100 Hidden Packages
• Laser Scope Sniper Rifle
  50 Hidden Packages
• Minigun
  60 Hidden Packages
• Python
  30 Hidden Packages
• Rhino
  90 Hidden Packages
• Rocket Launcher
  70 Hidden Packages
• Sea Sparrow
  80 Hidden Packages

Easter Eggs

Beach Ball Game

At a pool on Starfish Island you can find a beach ball. If you run into it it will bounce up into the air. Stand in the ball's shadow as it falls and it bounces on your head. A number will show up above your head for each time you have bounced it. When your look at your stats in the start menu it will show: "Highest score on Beach ball mini-game."

Hidden Easter Egg (Vice City)

In the Downtown section of Vice City's west island, the VCN building can be entered from ground level. From the roof of this building, if you jump from the far eastern corner of the helipad into the window of the adjacent shyscraper via a substanceless wall texture. Inside this hollow you will find an actual Easter Egg, with the words 'Happy Easter' written on it.

Character Credits

• Tommy Vercetti
  Ray Liotta
• Sonny Forelli
  Tom Sizemore
• Steve Scott
  Denis Hopper
• Ricardo Diaz
  Luis Guzman
• Ken Rosenberg
  Bill Fitcher
• Avery Carrington
  Burt Reynolds
• Umberto Robina
  Danny Trejo
• Phil Cassidy
  Gary Busey
• Candy Suxxx
  Jenna Jameson
• Mitch Baker
  Lee Majors
• Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez
  Robert David
• Mercedes Cortez
  Fairuza Balk
• Kent Paul
  Danny Dyer
• Jezz Torrent
  Kevin Mckidd
• Taxi Controller
  Deborah Harry
• BJ Smith
  Lawrence Taylor
• Auntie Paulet
  Youree Cleomill Harris
• Congressman Alex Shrub
  Chris Lucas
• Old Man Kelly
  George Dicenzo
• Salvatore Leone
  Frank Vincent
• Luigi Goterelli
  Joe Pantoliano
• Tony Cipriani
  Michael Madsen
• Joey Leone
  Michael Rappaport
• Maria
  Debi Mazar
• Donald Love
  Kyle Maclachan
• Ray Machowski
  Robert Loggia
• 8-Ball
  Guru
• Momma
  Sondra James
• Asuka
  Liana Pai
• Kenji
  Les Mau
• Catalina
  Cynthia Farrell
• Miguel
  Al Espinosa
• El Burro
  Chris Phillips
• Chico
  Hunter Platin
• D-Ice
  Walter Mudu
• Marty Chonks
  Chris Phillips
• Curly Bob
  Hunter Platin
• King Courtney
  Walter Mudu
• Misty
  Kim Gurney
• Phil Cassidy
  Hunter Platin