The world of Grand Theft Auto III and its more recent remaster, the Definitive Edition, have long captivated players with their revolutionary gameplay, amazing storylines, open-world exploration, memorable characters, and seemingly limitless opportunities. Yet, even this sprawling criminal sandbox can feel a bit restricted at times. Fortunately, the official experiences is expandable with unofficial modifications. These offer a fresh perspective on the classic game while enhancing one or more of the game’s elements, be it gameplay mechanics, graphics, or something else.
Mods breathe new life into the streets of Liberty City, transforming the familiar setting into an evolving platform for exciting experiments. Unfortunately, it is not always clear which mods are worth the hassle. That’s where this article comes in to hopefully save the day. Read on to explore some of the better mod options available for the original Grand Theft Auto III and the Grand Theft Auto III: Definitive Edition.
Grand Theft Auto III
These mods are for the original, classic Grand Theft Auto III, released in 2001.
Grand Theft Auto III FIXER PACK (STEAM)
The Grand Theft Auto III FIXER PACK for STEAM delivers a smoother gaming experience on modern operating systems. It bundles various essential fixes and quality-of-life enhancements into one comprehensive package, all while maintaining the core elements of the original game. This pack tackles common Windows 10 errors, ensuring that the game runs without hiccups. It also includes a Widescreen FIX, enabling 16:9 resolutions without any image stretching.
In addition, it features the Free Camera MOD, also known as Classic AXIS, which mimics the mouse camera feel of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Additionally, the pack incorporates SilentPatch by CookieMonster to boost overall game stability and ensure compatibility with other mods. It’s an essential mod for those playing the original Grand Theft Auto III.
GTA III – Xbox Version HD
The GTA III – Xbox Version HD mod aims to replicate the atmosphere and enhancements of the Xbox version for PC players. It offers a complete overhaul of texture quality, affecting everything from the map to the HUD, splash screens, and radar. The mod also includes the Xbox map complete with light maps, and upgrades character models with skeletal animations. The vehicles aren’t left behind either with the mod swapping the PC vehicle models with ones from GTA III for Xbox.
The mod enhances vehicle reflections and lighting effects while adding road gloss and rain droplets. Mipmap support is included for better texture handling. The mod also goes the extra mile to fix model collisions and rooftops. Even the particle effects are transformed to resemble the Xbox version. The mod also offers item placement fixes and an improved game menu, all while increasing compatibility with other mods. Last but not least, the radio stations get a boost in quality, making the drive through the amazing Liberty City even more immersive. This is a great HD mod for anyone playing GTA III.
Variable Health Regen
©Screenshot from Grand Theft Auto III.
The Variable Health Regen mod for GTA III gives players a customized approach to health regeneration through a collection of CLEO files. Each file is programmed to set a different maximum health level that your character will regenerate up to. For those who want a moderate advantage without feeling overpowered, the mod includes an option to heal up to 50 health. The health100 file offers a more extreme experience, keeping your character’s health at a steady 100.
For those looking to tip the scales further in their favor, the mod also includes options to set your health maximum at 250 and even 500. These options make the character incredibly resilient, though not entirely invincible. And for players seeking a nearly God-mode level, there’s a health 9999 option. Whichever version players choose, installation is straightforward: simply drop the desired file into the CLEO folder located in the GTA III directory.
GTA 3 HD PACK
This mod focuses on improving the visual fidelity of elements outside the core gameplay. This includes enhancing the low-resolution textures of menus, icons, load screens, splash screens, and outro screens. The mod offers two distinct sets of features to cater to players using 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. For those using widescreen displays, it provides a high-quality startup logo, menu background, splash screens, and even menu icons, all while fixing the aspect ratio to a widescreen 16:9 format. Support for both Xbox and PlayStation controllers is also added.
For gamers on a 4:3 display, the mod also delivers high-quality visual elements including a startup logo, menu background, and original loading screens. Just like its widescreen counterpart, it adjusts the aspect ratio to fit the 4:3 format. Another key feature in GTA 3 HD Pack is the ability to play original loading screens in high quality.
Claude Speed Michael Myers Outfit
The Claude Speed Michael Myers Outfit mod offers a unique twist for Grand Theft Auto III players looking to add some Halloween fun to their game. The mod introduces a Michael Myers skin for the game’s protagonist, Claude. The skin captures the iconic look of Michael Myers from the film Halloween. It features Myers’ signature white face mask and adds a blue jumpsuit along with a white undershirt to complete the appearance.
Installation is straightforward. Simply download the skin image and place it in the game’s skin folder. The game takes care of the rest, automatically updating Claude’s appearance to this Halloween theme.
Grand Theft Auto III: Definitive Edition
The following mods are meant for the Definitive Edition of Grand Theft Auto III. This remastered version of the game was released in 2021 under the title Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, which includes renewed versions of Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Better Rain
The Better Rain mod aims to enhance the overall visual experience of the rain in GTA III, making it lighter and more aesthetically pleasing. Instead of the dense, heavy rain that players are used to, this mod makes it more subtle, realistic, and visually pleasing. Simple and effective way to make the game look renewed!
The installation is easy and once that’s done, the in-game rain instantly undergoes a transformation. It is worth noting that this mod is compatible across all three games in the GTA Trilogy. So, get the Better Rain mod and improve your experience for all the Definitive Editions of The Trilogy.
GTA III DE Reshade Original PS2 Ambience
GTA III DE Reshade Original PS2 Ambience is a graphical mod that aims to recapture the atmosphere of the PS2 version of Grand Theft Auto III with a colder tone. This is done while improving lighting and overall game definition. It’s another mod that is great for those who really want to relive the glorious grittiness of the original title but with more visual fidelity.
GTA III Project Revitalized – The Definitive Edition
This is a comprehensive mod aimed at enhancing both the visuals and the gameplay experience of Grand Theft Auto III. Engine tweaks in the mod add a sharpen filter and increase shadow resolution, contributing to improved lighting and special effects. Apart from the engine enhancements, the mod also introduces QTenhancer X1, a preset designed to balance the game’s visuals. It adjusts color saturation during daytime and makes the night scenes more vivid and dark.
On the texture front, the mod offers an extensive overhaul with QTenhanced Texture Modification. It replaces existing textures with higher-quality versions and adds a realistic rain texture pack to boost immersion. Installing the mod requires overwriting specific game files but the instructions are quite clear. The mod can be toggled on and off with the scroll key, so players are easily able to go back to previous settings if they don’t like the update. If you are looking for a totally renewed graphical experience, GTA III Project Revitalized is the mod you are looking for!
Better Menu Sounds for GTA III
The Better Menu Sounds for GTA III mod is once again a simple mod that does exactly what it promises in the name. It focuses on refining the audio experience during menu navigation. Instead of using the standard menu click sounds inherited from San Andreas, this mod introduces a new, distinctive selection and click sound tailored specifically for GTA III. It’s a subtle change but one that fans of the original game will likely appreciate.
Installing the mod is a straightforward process. Once the mod files are downloaded and placed in the appropriate game folder, it is all done!
III HD Classic Sign Textures
This is an alternative mod focusing exclusively on the visual quality of signs scattered throughout Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto III: Definitive Edition. Also adapted from the NHDT mod for the classic GTA III, this mod brings a high-definition update to signs, adding to the game’s overall realism. It’s an easily installable package so all you have to do is drop the provided pak file into the specific game directory.
While it may seem like a small change, the updated sign textures contribute to the experience more than you’d think. In a game like Grand Theft Auto, the signs and other similar elements are a large part of the world-building, which makes the III HD Classic Sign Texture mod great.
Claude (The Definitive Edition)
This Claude mod focuses on bringing the character of Claude closer to his original design in Grand Theft Auto III. This mod aims to bring back the classic look that long-time fans of the game recognize and appreciate. It takes the high-resolution assets of the Definitive Edition and reworks them to reflect Claude’s original style. After all, nostalgia is what many are looking for in the Definitive Editions!
Like most mods, installation is simple. Just drag and drop the FaithfulClaude.Pak into the designated mods folder within the game directory. If the folder doesn’t exist, creating one with the specified name does the trick. After that, you should be done and the classic Claude should be back.
Better Map Textures – Natural HD Textures for III
Better Map Textures – Natural HD Textures for III offers a more authentic graphical experience by revamping about 30 various textures in Grand Theft Auto III: Definitive Edition. The mod focuses on different environmental elements such as roads, billboards, and posters, improving the realism of the game. Initially designed for the original GTA III version, the textures have been converted to fit the Definitive Edition. For players who want a classic feel for the game with improved textures, this mod is a great option!
Better Road Textures for GTA III
The Better Road Textures for GTA III is a simple mod that does exactly what it promises. It improves the game’s realism by replacing the default road textures with more detailed and visually appealing ones. Another simple yet effective change that is easy to apply.