Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto III
(Developed by Rockstar Games)
Available for: iOS, Android
Price: $4.99

Everything old is new again with Grand Theft Auto III. Originally released for console systems in late 2001 and expanding to iOS and Android this December in celebration of the title's tenth anniversary, Grand Theft Auto III is every bit as visceral, vicious and blackly hilarious as you remember. But its gameplay experience is reborn for the touchscreen device era, complete with custom interactive controls, updated graphics, characters and vehicle models, and HD-quality resolution.

Set in fictional Liberty City, Grand Theft Auto III depicts the tale of Claude, a career criminal betrayed by his girlfriend during a bank heist. After escaping prison, Claude seeks revenge, rising from low-level thug through the ranks of the mob underground. It's now such a familiar premise that it's easy to forget how fresh and innovative Grand Theft Auto III was when it launched a decade ago: Combining elements of third-person shooters and driving games with a plot rooted in Hollywood crime films, its open-ended sandbox gameplay and cinematic ambitions redefined how video games are conceptualized and played, inspiring legions of imitators.

Grand Theft Auto III for mobile is a worthy addition to the game's legacy, successfully translating its innovations to the smartphone and tablet form factors. Liberty City remains a place where virtually anything can happen, and the gritty dialogue, larger-than-life characters and over-the-top violence still captivate. The gameplay mechanics aren't quite seamless, however, and many App Store user reviews complain of crashes and instability issues. But Rockstar Games is no fly-by-night developer, so rest assured these are issues that subsequent updates will address and conquer. In the meantime, enjoy Grand Theft Auto III for what it is--one of the greatest games ever, regardless of which device platform you're playing.