Sunny Vice City. How nice it is to dive into the atmosphere of the early 2000s, to once again walk along the low-polygon beaches and streets, to kill another cop, or to steal a cool car.

This is my favorite part of the entire GTA series, despite the graphics and limited features. Although GTA 5 is undeniably cool, it did not evoke such vivid emotions in me as Vice City did.

Top 15 GTA Vice City Mods Enhance Your 2002 Classic ExperienceImage: baldezh.top

So why not enhance this old project? For instance, install a few mods listed below. Join me in this nostalgic journey.

All mods are relevant to the old version of GTA Vice City.

HD Effects

Top 15 GTA Vice City Mods Enhance Your 2002 Classic ExperienceImage: gtagarage.com

First of all, it's worth improving the effects and graphics overall. The mod adds many new visual effects, such as realistic blood splashes, and enhances various others like water, muzzle flashes when shooting, and even tire marks on the asphalt.

One of the best features of the modification is the smoke clouds from cars and weapons, naturally rising upwards — a unique sight for projects of those years.

New Vice City 2011

Top 15 GTA Vice City Mods Enhance Your 2002 Classic ExperienceImage: moddb.com

No, this is not a 2011 version of the game, which doesn't actually exist. The developers were limited by time and possibly resources to make the beloved project even better, but modders have no such limitations.

Urban life becomes closer to reality. Now the player needs to refuel their car with gas, if they don't crash it within the first thirty seconds after stealing it. If gas seems too expensive, there is public transport. The character can also call a taxi to reach their destination.

Other interesting features include:

  • Calling 911 if a crime is committed not by the main character;
  • Tommy now needs food to survive;
  • The ability to drink in a bar;
  • Some side missions have been removed;
  • After being arrested, Tommy will be jailed, and the police will try to kill him if he attempts to escape.

This is just a small part of the available content. It's a pity the great gangster never learned to swim, even with these enhancements.

GVBP REShade

GVBP REShadeImage: skyrim-beautification-project.com

The mod enhances the title with improved lighting, shadows, and other effects, giving the game a more modern look. Textures and lighting have been improved, and there's a windowed mode, which many people need. At first glance, it's hard to believe that this is the same old Vice City with such enhancements.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous OxideImage: youtube.com/@thebloodedhunter

As a child, I really wanted nitro in GTA (especially in the race mission where the player gets a bucket of bolts). I wanted to tear through the streets, crash into walls at high speeds, and just feel the coolest on the road.

After installing the mod, your car will have unlimited acceleration. Perfect for stunts or quickly escaping the police. This mod can be turned on and off with the command NEEDFORSPEED (very symbolic).

VC Wardrobe

VC WardrobeImage: gtaforums.com

How I missed having a variety of clothes for Tommy. Of course, I love his iconic blue palm tree shirt, but you need to change into something else after another bloody murder.

VC Wardrobe adds a functional wardrobe to the game. Now the player can change clothes whenever they want. The outfits will unlock gradually as you progress through the campaign.

First Person View

First Person View vice cityImage: gtaall.eu

  • Author: Razor Vermilion/GenuisZ
  • Download: gtainside

One of the most significant gameplay additions in GTA V is the ability to play in first-person view. Many people missed this feature in previous installments.

This fantastic mod provides that ability in GTA: Vice City, albeit with some odd quirks like stationary steering wheels and twisted arms on motorcycles. Otherwise, the modification is surprisingly high-quality and significantly enhances the experience.

HD Tommy

Top 15 GTA Vice City Mods Enhance Your 2002 Classic ExperienceImage: steamsolo.com

We’ve improved the environment, but our favorite protagonist remains cardboard-like and angular. That's unacceptable. He now doesn't fit well into the high-quality Miami. With this enhancement, Tommy's entire body looks more detailed. It's a pity he'll be the only one, as NPCs will remain in their vanilla style.

GTA: Long Night

GTA Long Night modImage: shabahatqamar.blogspot.com

Long Night is one of the most famous mods for Vice City. It turns the whole game into a zombie horror. This modification may not be for everyone, but some will definitely enjoy it. It adds over 20 new missions and six characters who will fight for survival among hordes of the undead.

These new missions may not be the most challenging, but they certainly won’t let you get bored. There are also 25 new types of weapons and several new radio stations better suited to the supernatural atmosphere.

GTA: State of Liberty

GTA State of LibertyImage: gamefront.com

This massive mod aims to combine the settings of GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas into one huge playable map with all the iconic landmarks. It is truly enormous. However, due to the unpredictable nature of fan projects, it is still under development even after many years. Though, there are several playable builds with the most completed functionalities.

Vice City ENB Series

Vice City ENB SeriesImage: gtainside.com

One of the coolest examples of game graphics overhaul. This modification adds several new visual effects to the Vice City engine, such as reflections on metal surfaces like cars and even the infamous cinematic lens flares and much more that you won’t notice until you start playing.

Atlantis City — Vice City

Atlantis City Vice CityImage: youtube.com/@SpecterChannel

After a hurricane, about 80% of Vice City is underwater, with the natural disaster accompanied by accidents, as well as a rise in crime and lawlessness.

This storyline addition has a high level of difficulty. It includes several missions and a more challenging task from the original game. There are no medkits, and the player now needs to conserve ammo and weapons, as well as aim accurately.

Vice City Big Mission Pack

Vice City Big Mission PackImage: plus961.com

Not enough missions? Time to fix that! This mod adds a large number of new quests that will certainly diversify the game. It will be especially enjoyed by veterans who have played through this part of GTA at least 1,000 times.

There are also new mechanics, such as an inventory where you can carry medkits, armor, and so on, order weapons by phone, bonuses from wearing different clothes, and much more.

GTA Vice City Modern v2.0

GTA Vice City Modern v2.0Image: smartetouch.com

This is a cool modification of the iconic GTA: Vice City, containing many improvements such as new graphics, cars, textures, and gameplay. The textures of buildings, roads, and sidewalks have been updated. The grass is adapted to modern graphics. Pedestrians are improved and now in HD quality. People are more realistic (as in GTA 5). Vehicles have been enhanced.

Myriad Islands

Myriad IslandsImage: gamebanana.com

A new island is added to the game, which will be interesting to explore (because the two standard ones have become quite boring). In addition, players will get new missions, three hidden packages, weapons, cars, and so on.

GTA: Police Stories IV

GTA Police Stories IVImage: uk.libertycity.net

The mod completely changes the storyline of GTA VC and adds tons of new things to the game, such as side missions, wanted levels, unlimited time for Vigilante missions, an entire city open from the start, and completely changing rampages.

Now, you are not a gangster, but a junior officer managing crime and the mafia.


These were the top 15 best mods for GTA: Vice City. We hope you found something that will motivate you to replay this legendary game.

Main image: Pinterest