With the release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition rapidly approaching, Rockstar Games has given fans several tantalizing glimpses over the last few weeks into what the compilation will look like on modern hardware. Featuring vibrant, modernized graphics, reworked character models, and vastly improved lighting, it's easy to see why the publisher has labeled the package with such a bold moniker. As some fans have noted, it appears that Rockstar has also taken the opportunity to completely remove some of the more controversial aspects of the original releases, such as a Confederate flag t-shirt.Back when Grand Theft Auto: Vice City launched on the PS2 in 2002, the article of clothing was worn by a man known as Phil Cassidy. For a number of reasons beyond his controversial fashion sense, the unpredictable character and his distinct southern accent have become well-known by fans of the series over the years. That's because Phil is one of only three characters within Grand Theft Auto's history that have so far physically appeared in four different games. Considering two of these on-screen appearances take place in titles featured within Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, players are about to spend an extended amount of time with Phil once again.This post contains open spoilers for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition.RELATED: Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: Comparing Original Games to the Remasters

Phil in Grand Theft Auto 3

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Phil Cassidy made his debut within the series during Rockstar Games' groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto 3. Taking on a minor role as an arms dealer, players are introduced to Phil during the 'Arms Shortages' mission, when he steps in to help Claude fight back against the Colombian Cartel that had been sent to murder him. In the aftermath of this bonding experience, the military-grade weapons specialist offers to sell the player items from his shop, Phil's Surplus Store. Little about his backstory is fleshed out at this point in the timeline, though, other than the idea that he was allegedly a Vietnam War Veteran who lost his right arm during a battle in Nicaragua.

Phil in Vice City

Tommy Vercetti, Phil Cassidy and a bomb in GTA Vice City

Now voiced by Hollywood actor Gary Busey, Grand Theft Auto fans only had to wait two years for Phil Cassidy to pop up next in 2002's Vice City. The voice talent behind his southern accent and his highly problematic clothing weren't the only aspects of the character that had been revised, though. Taking up a more prominent role within the game's 80s set story, players are reintroduced to a younger Phil during 'The Shootist' mission when protagonist Tommy Vercetti hires him to pull off a bank heist.

Phil's time in the spotlight doesn't end there, as players can then undertake a number of extra quests for him that greatly expand his lore. Eventually, following the successful assassination of a rival weapons dealer, Tommy plays witness to an experiment with a 'Boomshine bomb' that ultimately results in the dealer's right arm being blown off. This mission in particular, and the subsequent stress-fueled attempt to preserve his life, reveals that a lot of what people thought they knew about the character was somewhat embellished by the man himself. In the aftermath of the mission, players are then once again able to purchase specialized weapons like grenades, miniguns, and RPGs from Phil, after Tommy agrees to officially go into business with him.

Phil in the Stories Games

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Having played a prominent and loud role in two of Rockstar's initially PS2 exclusive hits, it's little surprise that Phil went on to show up as a side character in the PSP's Grand Theft Auto spin-off games as well. In both Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, the character's role as a weapons expert subsequently puts him into the line of fire once again over the course of several missions. Most notably during the latter he ends up having a lasting impact on protagonist Victor Vance, as he offers the veteran his old residence following his dismissal from the US army.

While his on-screen appearances have so far been limited to a particular generation in the Grand Theft Auto series' history, Phil is one of only a handful of characters that have been directly referenced in one of Rockstar Games' other franchises as well. During 2003's controversial Manhunt game, the arms dealer is mentioned by a member of the Carcer City Police Department, which implies that he opened up a new store in the region following the ending of Grand Theft Auto 3. With the character having already made headlines for his appearance in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition, there's every chance that his lore will be expanded even more in future releases.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition launches November 11 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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