The Grand Theft Auto franchise has a reputation as one of the most irreverent and controversial series of games in the industry. It can be argued that part of Rockstar's charm is its skill at consistently pushing the envelope. As a result, the Grand Theft Auto games are filled with downright silly (and raunchy) moments.
There are too many such moments to include on a single list. Every fan of the series undoubtedly has their favorite examples. However, these ridiculous instances in the Grand Theft Auto franchise have likely stuck in the minds of fans due to their often hilarious nature.
7 Collecting El Burro's Adult "Literature" – GTA 3
Claude, the silent protagonist of Grand Theft Auto 3, works for an eclectic mix of employers during his time in Liberty City. Players can engage in a variety of side missions in the form of payphone contacts scattered throughout the map. The first, and arguably the most memorable, of these contacts is El Burro, the leader of the Diablos gang.
One of the silliest missions in the game occurs during El Burro's final task for Claude. While driving a van, fans must collect parcels of El Burro's adult literature titled "Donkey Does Dallas." Players can only speculate what the specific contents of this literature entail. Nevertheless, having players collect pieces of scattered pornography is certainly one of the franchise's lighter moments.
6 Wreaking Havoc With Toy Helicopters – GTA Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is rife with reprehensible individuals looking to make a buck. One of those people that players meet early in the game is Avery Carrington, a ruthless real estate developer who wants Tommy Vercetti to destroy a construction site to make it available for purchase.
However, the manner in which the construction site is destroyed couldn't be more farfetched. Players must plant a series of bombs around the site......with a toy helicopter serving as the means of delivery. It's a ludicrous moment that serves to spice up the gameplay, albeit creatively. The fact that it makes no practical sense just renders the whole situation even more humorous.
5 Dating Millie Perkins – GTA San Andreas
Carl "CJ" Johnson gets himself into several sticky situations throughout Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. When CJ is tasked with organizing the heist of the mob-controlled Caligula's Palace casino, breaking in proves to be no simple matter.
To get inside the casino, CJ can date Millie Perkins, a croupier who works there. Nevertheless, as players soon realize, Millie has a rather odd fetish that forces Carl to get creative with his romantic advances. The mission "Key to Her Heart" requires Carl to don the bizarre Gimp Suit to successfully romance Millie. Talk about taking a turn for the weird!
4 Giovanni Casa's Secret – GTA Liberty City Stories
When discussing strange behavior, it's hard not to mention Giovanni Casa, a minor character who appears in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. In that game, protagonist Toni Cipriani seeks to prove to his mother that Giovanni isn't all that he appears to be.
Armed with a camera, players must follow Casa to a secluded location in the mission "Snappy Dresser." There, Toni witnesses Casa dressed as a baby while chasing prostitutes! Naturally, players must snap a few pictures while Casa scampers around in diapers. As such, this moment must rank as one of the franchise's silliest (and strangest).
3 Protecting Phil Collins From Mobsters – GTA Vice City Stories
Several celebrities have lent their voices to the Grand Theft Auto franchise, particularly in the 3D Universe continuity. However, in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, English singer-songwriter Phil Collins of Genesis actually appears as himself. The protagonist of the game, Victor Vance, helps Phil escape from the clutches of the Forelli Crime Family.
During the mission "In the Air Tonight," Vic must prevent Phil from being whacked by mafiosi while the latter is performing a concert. Humorously, if players fail to prevent Phil's death via a fallen light rigging, they will be given the message "Phil definitely felt it coming in the air tonight." Protecting a real-life celebrity isn't something players often contend with in a Grand Theft Auto game!
2 The Intro Cutscene – GTA 4
The main story of Grand Theft Auto 4 is grim, but that doesn't prevent the game from indulging in the franchise's trademark humor from time to time. In the opening cutscene of the game, fans are treated to a rather funny scene right off the bat.
While arriving in Liberty City by sea, Niko Bellic tries to get the attention of a fellow crewmate named Dave. Niko bangs on the door of the man's cabin, to no avail. It's then revealed that Dave is in the middle of a dominatrix session, tied to his bed while getting whipped! It's an interesting way to start a game, to say the least.
1 The Drug-Induced Hallucinations – GTA 5
It's hard picking the silliest moment in Grand Theft Auto 5 considering the game is full of ridiculous escapades. The missions involving Barry, however, are strong frontrunners. Players can encounter Barry with each of the three protagonists, who will offer them a taste of his marijuana.
Michael and Trevor will react badly to the drug. Both experience vivid hallucinations - Michael sees aliens while Trevor contends with clowns. Players have to mow down these assailants with a minigun and an assault shotgun, respectively. The fact that none of it is real adds to the absurdity of the situation.