GTA 6 vs GTA Vice City (2002): What’s the Same, What’s New
GTA 6 and GTA Vice City (2002) share the same city name and the same Miami inspiration, but they are different games in different eras. Vice City was set in 1986 with one hero, Tommy Vercetti. GTA 6 is set in modern day across the whole state of Leonida, with two leads, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
Side-by-side comparison
| GTA Vice City (2002) | GTA 6 (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Release | October 29, 2002 (PS2, North America) | November 19, 2026 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) |
| Era | 1986 | Modern day |
| Real-world model | Miami | Miami and the wider state of Florida |
| Map | Two main islands plus smaller areas | Vice City plus five more regions in Leonida |
| Protagonist | Tommy Vercetti (voiced by Ray Liotta) | Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos |
| Story hook | A mobster builds his own empire in Vice City | A couple caught in a conspiracy after a score goes wrong |
| Radio | Licensed ’80s music | Licensed and original music, radio on foot |
What is the same
- The city name. Rockstar’s own statement for the November 2025 delay promised “a return to modern day Vice City.”
- The Miami look. Both games lean on beaches, art deco hotels and neon. Rockstar describes GTA 6’s Vice City as running from art deco beaches to markets and a cruise port.
- Ocean Beach. The district name from the 2002 map is back. In GTA 6, the free Vintage Vice City Pack pre-order bonus includes a garage on Ocean Beach, per TechRadar.
- Flash FM. The pop station from 2002 returns in GTA 6, now hosted by Robyn and Alex Consani.
- Nods to Tommy. The Vintage Vice City Pack includes a weapon pattern inspired by Tommy Vercetti’s shirt, according to TechRadar.
What is different
The era
Vice City was a 1980s period piece shaped by films like Scarface and shows like Miami Vice. GTA 6 is set today, and its trailers lean on modern Florida culture, including social-media-style clips.
The size of the world
The 2002 map was two main islands that unlocked as the story moved on. GTA 6 covers a full state: the Leonida Keys, the Grassrivers swamp, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga, on top of Vice City itself. Rockstar says Leonida is its largest world yet, and preview coverage puts it at roughly twice the size of GTA 5’s map.
The heroes
Tommy Vercetti was one man working for mob boss Sonny Forelli. GTA 6 has two playable leads, and Lucia is the one fresh out of prison this time. Jason is a former soldier doing jobs for drug runners in the Keys.
The universe
The 2002 game belongs to Rockstar’s older “3D universe” of GTA games. GTA 6 sits in the newer HD universe that began with GTA IV, so it is not a direct sequel and Tommy’s story is not continued.
Platforms and price
Vice City later came to PC, Xbox and mobile. GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, at $79.99. Check is GTA 6 on PC and the pre-order bonus for the Vintage Vice City items.
FAQ
Is GTA 6 a remake of Vice City?
No. It is a new game set in a modern version of Vice City and the wider state of Leonida.
Is Tommy Vercetti in GTA 6?
Not confirmed. The only official nod so far is cosmetic, like the shirt-inspired weapon pattern.
What year is GTA 6 set in?
Rockstar calls it modern day. It has not given an exact year.
Which Vice City radio station returns?
Flash FM is the confirmed returning station so far.
Sources: Wikipedia: GTA Vice City, Pure Xbox, GTA Base, TechRadar, KeenGamer