🔊 Tap Play, then press “Play Now”
Grand Theft Auto (USA)
What is Grand Theft Auto (USA)?
Grand Theft Auto for the Game Boy Color is a portable adaptation of the groundbreaking PC crime simulator. Released in 2000 in the USA, it was developed by DMA Design, the same studio behind the original title. This version keeps the top-down perspective and open-world structure that defined the series, but scaled to fit Nintendo's handheld hardware. It's a rare example of a full sandbox crime game on the Game Boy Color, packing a surprising amount of content into a small cartridge.
Players take on the role of a small-time crook trying to climb the criminal ladder. The game drops you into a sprawling city viewed from above, where you can steal cars, run over pedestrians, and complete missions for various underworld figures. The core loop involves driving to mission markers, causing mayhem, and earning cash to unlock new areas and weapons. City layouts are simplified compared to the PC version, but the feeling of freedom and consequence remains. There are multiple cities to explore, each with its own gang factions and objectives.
What makes this title worth revisiting is its ambition. The Game Boy Color library rarely saw true open-world sandboxes, and Grand Theft Auto delivers a surprisingly faithful experience despite the hardware limits. It's clunky at times, especially with the small screen and controls, but it captures the essence of the original. For retro collectors, it's a fascinating piece of gaming history that shows how developers pushed portable systems. If you enjoy top-down crime games or want to see a classic adapted for the road, this is a solid pick.
Players take on the role of a small-time crook trying to climb the criminal ladder. The game drops you into a sprawling city viewed from above, where you can steal cars, run over pedestrians, and complete missions for various underworld figures. The core loop involves driving to mission markers, causing mayhem, and earning cash to unlock new areas and weapons. City layouts are simplified compared to the PC version, but the feeling of freedom and consequence remains. There are multiple cities to explore, each with its own gang factions and objectives.
What makes this title worth revisiting is its ambition. The Game Boy Color library rarely saw true open-world sandboxes, and Grand Theft Auto delivers a surprisingly faithful experience despite the hardware limits. It's clunky at times, especially with the small screen and controls, but it captures the essence of the original. For retro collectors, it's a fascinating piece of gaming history that shows how developers pushed portable systems. If you enjoy top-down crime games or want to see a classic adapted for the road, this is a solid pick.
How to Play Grand Theft Auto (USA) Online
Start by selecting a city from the main menu - Liberty City and Vice City are available. Once in the game, drive around to find mission markers (usually blinking icons on the map). Approach them to trigger a mission objective, such as delivering a car, stealing a vehicle, or taking out a rival gang member. Use the D-Pad to move your character or steer cars. Press X (A button) to enter a vehicle or confirm actions. Press S (B button) to punch or run. You can also pick up weapons from the ground or at shops.
The game gives you a lot of freedom - you don't have to follow missions immediately. You can steal any car, run over pedestrians, or just explore the city. Money earned from missions is used to buy health, armor, and better guns. If you die or get busted by police, you lose some cash and restart at a hospital or police station. The key is to balance chaos with careful progression. Save your game often at phone booths (marked on the map). Stick to the main missions to advance the story and unlock new areas. The controls take some practice, but the core loop of driving and causing mayhem is simple to grasp.
Grand Theft Auto (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Grand Theft Auto?
DMA Design developed the Game Boy Color version, the same studio responsible for the original PC game. They handled the port internally, ensuring it kept the same open-world feel.
What makes Grand Theft Auto stand out among Game Boy Color titles of its era?
It was one of the few handheld games to offer a fully open-ended crime sandbox with drivable cars, multiple cities, and mission structure. The top-down view and freedom of action were nearly unheard of on the Game Boy Color.
Roughly how long does it take to finish Grand Theft Auto?
A typical playthrough focusing on main missions takes about 10 hours. Exploring all cities and completing optional side objectives can extend that to 15 hours or more.
Comments (0)