Grand Theft Auto 3 was recently re-released as a part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy: The Definitive Edition. The package has come wrapped with its share of scandal and controversy, and not for the same reasons the original releases did. Instead of outside groups objecting to graphic content, gamers are justifiably upset about the quality of these ports. There are visual errors, missing songs from the tracklist, and performance issues hindering the experience.

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All the same, this is still the Grand Theft Auto 3 that changed the world back in 2001. Players are still granted the same level of freedom to explore Liberty City. Showing just how malleable a gamer's experience in this classic is, the following entries detail awesome things some players might not know they can do. Note that a couple of cool tricks like reaching the ghost town with the Dodo are not in the re-release, which is why they are not included on this list.

7 Flying The Dodo

The Dodo in GTA 3

Unlike future entries, there are no proper planes in Grand Theft Auto 3. The closest players get is the Dodo. Located in Liberty City's airport on Shoreside Vale, the third island, the Dodo is a small plane with its wings cut off. Even though it is missing vital parts, players can still fly the Dodo if they know the right technique.

First, find a long stretch of land to act as a runway. Then, accelerate while holding down the left analog stick. Finally, let go of the stick once sparks start appearing under the vehicle. This should start the plane's ascension into the air. With enough practice, one can have the plane fly almost indefinitely.

6 Do The Taxi Missions With Any Car

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Taxi missions trigger when players press a certain button while within one of the taxi cabs (this button is shown on the screen upon entering one). There is a small trick to let Claude do the missions in any vehicle players choose.

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First, enter a taxi cab. Then, hold down the button to initiate the mission, but do not let go. While the button is held, exit the cab and enter another vehicle. The mission will still trigger once the player lets go after entering the second car. This allows players to do the taxi missions in either a faster or more durable car.

5 Rig Any Car To Explode

gta 3 8 ball garage

An early mission has players steal a car from a restaurant, arm it with a bomb, and then return to the same spot to set a trap for the target. What some might not realize is they can do this with any car at any time, not just the car specified in the mission.

There are a variety of fun possibilities to explore with this mechanic, whether it be just waiting for someone to steal the car or something more creative. Just try different things with it and see what can happen.

4 Access Staunton Island Early

gta 3 staunton island

Liberty City is divided into three land masses. Players start out on Portland, and the next areas only unlock after progressing far enough into the story. However, there is a way to glitch into Staunton Island earlier than the game intends. It is easy to understand how to pulled this off, but might take a few tries for players to execute it properly.

Go to the northern tunnel heading toward the second island, and then exit the car in such a way that Claude falls into the water right above the tunnel. He should fall through, and then he should be able to walk along the top of the tunnel. Finally, jump off into a bottomless pit near Staunton, and Claude will reappear on the other island.

3 Hidden Packages

gta 3 hidden package staunton island

Players will find white packages scattered about Liberty City. These are hidden packages. While they seem useless at first, one should definitely pay attention to collecting them. Just one doesn't do any good, but every tenth one that the player finds will earn them a weapon or item for free to pick up at any safehouse.

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There are 33 of these packages on the first island, which already helps players get through some of the harder missions. There are 100 in all, and having these can help save a lot of money during the campaign.

2 Get A Tank Without A Six Star Wanted Level

gta 3 rhino location

It seems like the only way to get a tank in Grand Theft Auto 3 is by having a six-star wanted level, and then stealing one after the army arrives to stop Claude's rampage. However, there is a significantly simpler way to find one that does not involve so much chaos and trouble.

One mission has the player defend Phil's army surplus store from an attack. The tank in the area is innaccessible at first. Upon beating the game, however, the tank is free for players to take. Players are essentially invincible in this vehicle, making it perfect for rampages.

1 Cheats

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Players are already free to do a whole variety of activities within Liberty City. However, if so inclined, they can take things even further by inputting some trusty cheat codes. These work just the same in the re-release as they did in the original.

Unfortunately, there is a small handful of them that do not work. The developers cited technical limitations as a reason for their exclusion. Though this may disappoint some, there are still plenty available to create a ruckus throughout Liberty City.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition is out now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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