The wait’s really almost over. After some initial hype was confirmed by Rockstar Games over a much-needed Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy remastered rollout, the gaming powerhouse has not only shared some jaw-dropping new graphics but announced the official drop date.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy: The Definitive Edition Release Date

Barring any last-minute changes or delays, fans will finally be able to relive out some epic GTA moments all over again and with insanely enhanced gameplay in less than three weeks.

Three iconic cities, three epic stories, one definitive collection. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition includes the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas together — each one enhanced for a new generation and available together for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via the Rockstar Games Launcher. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will be available digitally on November 11 through the PlayStation Store, the Microsoft Store on Xbox, Nintendo eShop, and the Rockstar Games Launcher, with a physical release for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 on December 7.

Rockstar Games executive Aaron Garbut - Head of Development, Co-Studio Head Rockstar North - has issued a statement on GTA III and its overall impact on the company’s evolution.

"GTAIII helped clarify our approach to making games, and it’s something that has stuck with us in every game we make, from GT AIII through to GTAV, the Red Dead Redemption series and everything else: we are focused on building worlds – and on making these worlds as believable, detailed, interesting, varied and alive as possible. We want to make worlds that you feel like you are living in, that feel d ynamic and filled with other characters. Where it’s not just a façade that comes alive around you and for you, but as real a place as we can ma nage, and one that is filled with stories, characters, events and fun, interesting things to do."

GTA V-Inspired Controls

The worst part about gaming on the recently remastered versions of GTA titles all boiled down to the gaming controls. Once you’ve become attached to the GTA Online experience, it’s hard to really go back even for the nostalgic factor. Fortunately, Rockstar Games is making this an official non-issue with the new rollout.

Experience the games that started it all — introducing unprecedented freedom and immersion through three living, breathing worlds filled with hilarious action, rich, cinematic storytelling, classic characters, and unforgettable music. Bringing the classic worlds of Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas to modern platforms, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition debuts new GTAV-inspired modern controls, plus across-the-board visual enhancements such as resolution upgrades and improved visual fidelity across the world, and much more to faithfully tune and improve upon all three games, while also maintaining their distinct original aesthetic.

Tons + Tons Of Upgrades

If you were hoping for a bunch of fun and new things to do - or at least experience - in the new editions, rest assured you’ll be taken care of as well. Rockstar is going all out to make sure this feels like the ‘true’ vision of throwback gaming in 2021 and beyond.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition introduces wide-ranging modern control upgrades, including improvements to targeting and lock-on aiming, updated Weapon and Radio Station Wheels, updated Mini-Maps with enhanced navigation allowing players to set waypoints to destinations, updated Achievements, Trophies, and more. The Nintendo Switch version also features Switch-specific controls including Gyro aiming, as well as touch screen camera zooming, pans, and menu selections, while the PC version includes support for NVIDIA DLSS and additional new Accomplishments via the Rockstar Games Social Club.

GTA Will Make You Feel Like You’re Somewhere Completely New

Even if you think you’re playing the same game you’ve grown up on or remember older siblings gaming on, this is still going to be a completely fresh experience. The insanely impressive small details like environmental enhancements will all be felt on this drop.

Additional enhancements across all three titles include a completely rebuilt lighting system; improved shadows, weather, and reflections; upgraded character and vehicle models; along with new higher resolution textures across buildings, weapons, roads, interiors, and more. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition also features a range of environmental upgrades including all new foliage, smoother surfaces, and increased draw distances to provide a new level of depth and clarity throughout the world.