GTA 6 vs Vice City Screenshots Show Big Changes

GTA 6 vs Vice City: A Visual Comparison of the PS5 Sequel and PS2 Classic

Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is the upcoming entry in Rockstar Games' open-world action-adventure series, set to release on the PlayStation 5. It is the direct successor to Grand Theft Auto V and returns to the fictional state of Leonida, which includes the neon-soaked Vice City setting first introduced in 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2. The game solves the problem of modernizing a beloved retro setting by leveraging current-generation hardware to depict a significantly more detailed and realistic world.

According to a visual analysis by Kotaku, the comparison between the PS2 classic and the PS5 sequel highlights "how much things have changed" in over two decades of game development. The source material provides 26 side-by-side screenshots that demonstrate the technological leap in rendering, lighting, and environmental density.

Key Facts

This section outlines the core factual anchors derived from the Kotaku comparison of GTA 6 and Vice City.

How Do the Graphics Compare Between GTA 6 and Vice City?

The graphics in GTA 6 represent a generational leap over the PS2-era Vice City, primarily through the use of modern dynamic lighting and significantly increased polygon counts. The Kotaku comparison shows that the PS5 version renders scenes with realistic reflections and shadows, whereas the PS2 original relied on flat, baked-in lighting to simulate the neon atmosphere.

The 26 screenshots reveal that the most substantial changes are in environmental density and texture resolution. The PS2 version features sparse streets and low-resolution textures, while the PS5 version includes dense foliage, detailed storefronts, and high-fidelity character models. The source material notes that the "biggest changes" are visible in the skyline and the beach areas, where the draw distance has been extended to show the entire city in the background.

The PS5 version of GTA 6 renders the Vice City skyline with a draw distance that is visibly several times greater than the PS2 original, allowing players to see landmarks from across the map.

What Are the Biggest Visual Changes in the GTA 6 Screenshots?

The biggest visual changes between the PS2 and PS5 versions are the lighting engine and the level of detail in the environment. The Kotaku article highlights that the neon signs in GTA 6 emit actual light that spills onto the surrounding pavement and characters, a feature that was impossible on the PS2 hardware.

Character models have also seen a drastic overhaul. In the PS2 version, pedestrians and protagonists are blocky with limited facial animation. In the PS5 screenshots, characters have distinct facial features, realistic skin shaders, and period-accurate clothing that reacts to the environment. The source material specifically points out that the "palm trees" and "ocean water" have been completely reworked, with the PS5 version featuring individual leaves and translucent water effects.

"The screenshots show how much things have changed since Vice City, with the PS5 version looking like a real city rather than a video game approximation."

— Kotaku's visual comparison of GTA 6 and Vice City

Environmental density in GTA 6 is significantly higher, with the PS5 version featuring individual palm tree leaves and translucent ocean water compared to the flat, solid shapes of the PS2 era.

How It Compares: PS2 Limitations vs. PS5 Capabilities

This comparison is for gamers and tech enthusiasts who want to understand the technical evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series. It specifically addresses how hardware constraints shaped the original Vice City and how the removal of those constraints has allowed Rockstar to realize the setting's full potential.

The comparison data from Kotaku illustrates the following differences:

The PS2's hardware limitations necessitated static lighting and low-poly models, while the PS5's architecture enables dynamic lighting and high-fidelity character rendering in GTA 6.

Common Questions

How many comparison screenshots did Kotaku use for the GTA 6 vs Vice City article?

Kotaku used 26 side-by-side screenshots to compare the PS2 version of Vice City with the PS5 version of GTA 6. These images focus on iconic locations such as the beach, the downtown skyline, and the oceanfront boardwalk to highlight the visual differences.

Does GTA 6 take place in the same city as Vice City?

Yes, GTA 6 returns to the Vice City setting, which was originally featured in the 2002 PS2 game. The screenshots confirm that the new game recreates the same fictional Miami-inspired location with significantly more detail and a modern game engine.

What specific elements show the biggest change in the GTA 6 screenshots?

The biggest changes are visible in the lighting and environmental density. The PS5 version shows neon signs casting real light, extended draw distances that reveal the entire skyline, and character models with realistic facial features, all of which were absent in the PS2 original.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the Kotaku piece titled "GTA 6 vs Vice City Screenshots Show Big Changes," written by Zack Zwiezen. The original article presents a visual comparison of 26 screenshots from the PS2 classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and the upcoming PS5 title Grand Theft Auto VI. No external data or statistics were used beyond the visual evidence presented in the source material. Specific technical specifications (e.g., polygon counts, teraflops) are unknown and were not included in the source.

This article was last updated on May 22, 2025.