GTA Vice City holds a special place in gamers' hearts, its nostalgia enduring over the years. With rumors swirling about GTA 6 returning to Vice City, fans eagerly anticipate glimpses of familiar hotspots in the forthcoming trailer, set to debut on December 5.
Despite Vice City's relatively compact map, it houses distinct locales that resonate uniquely. Across various GTA games, certain spots hold sentimental value or frequent visits due to specific character connections.
This piece highlights eight such locations from GTA Vice City that, if featured in GTA 6, are bound to evoke waves of nostalgia among players.
1. The Malibu Club
Although GTA Vice City had a scarcity of accessible buildings, the Malibu Club compensated for this shortfall. This establishment not only offered players the option to buy it but also featured specific missions like "The Job," which added a layer of enjoyable gameplay.
Moreover, the club featured iconic 80s tunes, enhancing the immersion into the game's retro ambiance. Thus, discovering this venue in Grand Theft Auto 6 and stepping inside to absorb the atmosphere would be a fantastic experience.
Following the "Shakedown" mission, protagonist Tommy Vercetti can acquire the club for $120,000, initiating a series of subsequent missions. Upon their completion, the club generates a daily revenue of up to $10,000. Notably, the Vercetti Gang doesn't make appearances inside or outside the Malibu Club.
2. The Diaz/Vercetti estate
Another nostalgic nod to Scarface, yet this time in a distinctive Vice City setting—the Diaz estate stands out as the most iconic locale in the entire city, frequented early on by protagonist Tommy Vercetti. Initially employed by the kingpin Ricardo Diaz, Vercetti eventually takes charge of the estate when things get tumultuous. This lavish property epitomizes opulence and affluence, serving as a haven for drug lords, radiating an aura of wealth and extravagance.
Notably, as the site for the game's final mission, it holds a place of iconic significance within Vice City, where most players have cherished numerous memorable moments. Beyond its narrative importance, the estate's practicality is evident as players can store vehicles in its garage, acquire weapons, health packs, and discover hidden packages scattered throughout the property.
Should GTA 6 shift away from the '80s era, one can anticipate a transformation in the estate's ostentatious Tony Montana-inspired decor. Personally, I'm eager to witness our characters indulge in unprecedented spending this time around. While GTA Online's Los Santos offers an array of lavish residences—from nightclubs to penthouse apartments and luxurious villas in the Vinewood Hills—should our journey lead us to a Miami-inspired realm, I yearn for a taste of genuine high-life, capturing picture-perfect moments in Snapmatic-friendly real estate.
3. Ocean View Hotel and Ocean Beach
The Ocean View Hotel, positioned along Ocean Drive in the heart of Ocean Beach, stands as a prominent beachfront establishment in the original Vice City landscape. As the initial stop for protagonist Tommy Vercetti, it serves as the hub for many early missions in the 2002 game. Adorned with a baby blue and chrome art deco exterior, the building encapsulates the essence of that era. Though GTA 6 may portray a different era for Vice City, revisiting this location would be nostalgic, given that it was Tommy V's first safehouse and the initial site where players could change their protagonist's attire.
Moreover, Ocean Beach and Ocean Drive, mirroring Miami's famous tourist destinations, sprawl in front of The Ocean View Hotel, providing scaled-down counterparts in the game's setting.
4. Vice City Beach
Vice City Beach, often referred to as Vice Beach, stands out as one of the largest areas within the game, encompassing nearly half of the island's land area. Despite Tommy's inability to swim in-game, players enjoy leisurely walks along the sandy coastline and engaging with the sunbathing NPCs.
Accessible right from the start, this beach, heavily inspired by Miami Beach, could potentially find its way into Grand Theft Auto 6, considering its resemblance to a real-world location.
5. The Printworks (and other business ventures)
This one's personal because in GTA: Vice City, The Printworks was a major money-maker for me back then. Toward the end of the original game's story mode, you're given freedom across the map and encouraged to invest in properties to expand your criminal empire. The Printworks came with a hefty price tag of $70,000, but it could yield around $8,000 in profit every in-game day.
While I'm not particularly attached to The Printworks making a return in GTA 6, I am keen on having profitable businesses akin to what we've seen in recent years in GTA Online. It'd be great to engage in similar ventures where savvy—or let's face it, untrustworthy—entrepreneurs can earn passive income through a variety of dubious operations.
6. Ocean Heights Apartment
The Ocean Heights Apartment, found in southern Ocean Beach, Vice City, plays a significant role as one of the player's safehouses in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Accessible for purchase right after the mission "In The Beginning...", this sleek red-and-white apartment tower stands out in the Ocean Beach skyline. Positioned southwest of the Pole Position Club and one block east of the Ocean Beach Ammu-Nation store, it boasts a single-car garage that contributes to its relatively high price of $7,000.
Upon acquisition, the apartment serves as a save point for players to record their progress. Similar to other safehouses, the Ocean Heights Apartment lacks an interior. It's a wise investment, particularly during Cortez's missions, due to its close proximity to the Marina.
7. Sunshine Autos
Sunshine Autos, also known as the Sun Yard, is a car showroom in Vice City. Located just south of Little Havana, it is featured in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and its prequel, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
Former footballer BJ Smith acquired the dealership, renaming it BJ's Used Autos. However, Smith encounters financial troubles and attracts police attention, leading to his sale of the dealership to Tommy Vercetti for $50,000. Under Vercetti's ownership, the dealership reverts to its original name. Vercetti uses the showroom to vend stolen cars from four lists, and upon retrieving all requested vehicles, the business generates an income of $9,000.
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