Grand Theft Auto III

App review by Chris Morris, Common Sense Media
Grand Theft Auto III Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Ten years after original release, it's still not for kids.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android Action Games
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 13 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 41 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Grand Theft Auto III is a game that is not meant for kids in any way whatsoever. The original console version was one of the more controversial titles in the video game industry's history and little has changed beyond the control scheme in this version. Players can lead a life of crime, shoot police officers (as well as civilians and gangsters), drink and drive, and have sex with prostitutes. Even the songs on the radio are filled with offensive language.

Community Reviews

CrazyCSIW6
CrazyCSIW6 Adult
March 22, 2021
age 15+

Liberty City: A PlayStation Gem

If you're not into modding, the console versions are the best. Pick up the PS2 version if you want an authentic experience, or get the Xbox version if you want better visuals. The PC version is a mess of a port, but you can mod the 1.0 version. The mobile version is meh in my opinion. This game does show its age, but it's a masterpiece when it works. Now onto the content: Sexual content: There is some sexy stuff, but no actual nudity or sex. You do the early missions at a sex club, but you never actually go in. You can pick up prostitutes and have sex with them for money. However, this is heavily tame as the car just bumps and that's it. When the prostitute gets out, you can kill them to get your money. In the Australian version, this is completely removed from the game. Violence: This is incredibly tame. Back in 2001, maybe, but time has healed some wounds from certain events I won't mention. In the PC version, you can shoot limbs off, but the graphics are old, which makes it look more hilarious than gruesome. As for consoles, you can enable shooting limbs with a cheat code. When you run over pedestrians, they won't die at first unless you're going really fast. If you do kill them, you will hear a bone crunch sound, although it's very tame compared to other bone crunch sounds I've heard in my lifetime. There is an abundance of blood, although there is no gore or gibs, unless you count the blowing off limbs as gore. Language: Mild and rarely strong. Profanity is used mostly in the radio stations. Not much to talk about here. Consumerism: No scummy tactics, this is 2001. Drugs: References, but no drug use. Safety and Privacy; There are no worries here, I shouldn't have to explain why. Ease of Play: This game is VERY easy to pick up. The aiming is a little wonky on consoles, but what can you do, this is 2001, remember? Overall: Great game. I've replayed it multiple times. You should give it a shot if you haven't already.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
AgeRatingsUK
AgeRatingsUK Adult
September 17, 2020
age 15+

15+

Language: Moderate Sex: Moderate References Violence: Strong, Blood Other: Mild Drug References
See all 13 parent reviews

Is It Any Good?

Let's be very clear: GRAND THEFT AUTO III is not -- and will never be -- a game for kids. The language, violence, and overt sexuality in it are entirely inappropriate for anyone under 17. Adult gamers who pick it up and enjoy action games that push the envelope will find it to be a captivating experience, however.

The game, now 10 years old, makes a very smooth transition to the iOS world, not changing its controversial gameplay, whose content sometimes overshadowed its groundbreaking achievements in the gaming world. The open world aspects of the game still shine through -- and the details that made the original so compelling are here as well. The control structure is a little too complicated, though, since there are so many actions to choose from. It clutters the screen on an iPad and truly overwhelms an iPhone or iPod Touch. And the aiming system isn't as advanced as newer titles by Rockstar. It would have been nice to see that updated a tad. Despite the flaws, it's still a momentous game and one of the deepest in the app store catalog for mature gamers. For $5, it's a steal.

App Details

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