Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

App review by
Chris Morris, Common Sense Media
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City App Poster Image
Parents recommend

Common Sense says

age 18+
(i)
Mobile version of console hit just as violent as original.
Save
Rate app
Play or buy

Parents say

age 13+
Based on 13 reviews

Kids say

age 13+
Based on 5 reviews
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City App: Screenshot #1 X of Y
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City App: Screenshot #2 X of Y
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City App: Screenshot #3 X of Y

Did this review miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive, diverse representations in books, TV shows, and movies. Want to help us help them? Suggest a diversity update

A lot or a little?

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

Educational Value

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.

Ease of Play

There are a lot of controls on screen, making it sometimes hard to control actions. This is especially true for iPhone players.

Violence

Players can kill other humans, including police officers, or drive into pedestrians on sidewalks and parks. There are beatings, gang warfare, drive-by shootings, and bloody deaths, many shown in up-close detail. For example, players can drive on the sidewalk, running over pedestrians at will or assault a pedestrian on the street, beating him to death to get money (or beating a police officer to death to get his weapon).

Sex

Explicitly sexual. Prostitutes are prominent characters in the game, both as part of the story and non-player characters -- and they're dressed in low-cut apparel, true to the streetwalker cliche. You can gain "health points" by having implied sex with a prostitute in your car, where you hear what is happening and watch rhythmic actions of the couple from a distance, but don't actually see the act.

Language

If the word is offensive, it's used here regularly. 

Consumerism

The game is part of a long-running franchise, and players may be moved to buy a more recent version of the game after playing this. This edition also comes as the fifth installment of "Grand Theft Auto" for consoles is looming.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A core theme of the game is drug use and trafficking. There's some alcohol consumption as well.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is completely inappropriate for children. The game glamorizes the drug trade, is loaded with violence and sex and could teach them a few obscenities that even parents are unfamiliar with. The game is a direct recreation of the console hit, and what didn't work for kids then still doesn't today. Players can lead a life of crime, shoot police officers (as well as civilians and drug dealers), drink and drive, and have sex with prostitutes.

Continue reading Show less

Stay up to date on new reviews.

Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe

User Reviews

  • Parents say
  • Kids say
Parent of a 13-year-old Written byzippy123 July 3, 2015
age 12+

This Looks Fine

My son got this game when he was 11. I made sure I supervised him and it looked fine. My suggestion is kids around 11 should be allowed this game.
Report this review 
Parent of a 13-year-old Written by[email protected] July 2, 2015
age 12+

This is a Promising Game

My suggestion is, this is appropriate for ages 12 and up. My 11 year old child has this application and it looks pretty ok. It's a little bit hard to play... Continue reading
Report this review 

Add your ratingSee all 13 parent reviews.

Teen, 16 years old Written byEvil S. February 23, 2019
age 13+

Great Game

This game Is Great. But the fact that CSM gave it an 18+ is stupid. The game is mostly Violent but they're forgetting something, It Ain't Real life! i... Continue reading
Report this review 
Teen, 13 years old Written byDuckyboy March 25, 2015
age 9+

The Truth

Grand Theft Auto Vice City isnt intended for children but in my opinion i bought this game 1 month ago for PC and ipad and this game wasnt even bad like yeah th... Continue reading
Report this review 

Add your ratingSee all 5 kid reviews.

What's it about?

Players control characters by using a virtual \"thumbstick\" on the left side of the screen and a series of buttons. When on foot, they control running, hitting, and shooting. When in a vehicle, they switch to a pedal and brake, drift and the horn. Users can change the radio station in vehicles by swiping the bottom of the screen. Players can follow the game's main story or opt for the hundreds of side missions in the game.

Continue reading Show less

Is it any good?

No, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is not a game for kids -- but if you're at all familiar with the series, you likely already knew that. It's loaded with sex, violence, language, drugs and pretty much everything you want to shield a child from. 

But for adults, it's a very well-made action game that justifiably deserves the praise it has received for being "interactive cinema." The game transitions to the mobile world smoothly and weaves an intricate tale. The detail, ease of play, deep story, and sprawling game environment make this a game that any fan of the series will spend dozens of hours rediscovering. 

Continue reading Show less

App details

  • Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
  • Price: $4.99
  • Release date: December 6, 2012
  • Category: Action Games
  • Size: 1021.00 MB
  • Publisher: Rockstar Games
  • Version: 1.0
  • Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.3 or later; Android 2.3 and up
  • Last updated: November 11, 2020
Continue reading Show less

Our editors recommend

Infinity Blade II App Poster Image
Infinity Blade II
Action-heavy sword game adds depth; still for older teens.
age 15+
Dark Meadow App Poster Image
Dark Meadow
Spooky, violent, with plenty of eye candy; older teens only.
age 16+
Avengers Initiative App Poster Image
Avengers Initiative
Hulk fights in epic-but-not-bloody brawls in well-done game.
age 11+

For kids who love action

Best Action Apps
Best Action Games for Kids
See all recommended app lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate

About these links

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support.

Read more

Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality and learning potential.

Learn how we rate