Classic Grand Theft Auto Games Are Coming to the Nintendo 3DS Thanks to Modders
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Modders are bringing three classic Grand Theft Auto titles to the New Nintendo 3DS through a homebrew project that utilizes the handheld's dual screens and touch controls.
Grand Theft Auto is finally making its way to the Nintendo 3DS family of systems through an ambitious fan project. A modder named EpicReds0817 is bringing Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, and Liberty City Stories to the handheld hardware via the reGTA Collection. While Nintendo handhelds previously hosted games like Chinatown Wars and the Game Boy Advance version of the franchise, the 3DS era never received a native mainline entry from Rockstar Games. This homebrew release fills that historical gap by targeting the upgraded processing power of the New Nintendo 3DS, New 3DS XL, and New 2DS XL models.
The project goes beyond a simple port by taking full advantage of the dual-screen handheld. Each title in the collection features a custom lower-screen interface, touch controls, and a touchscreen keyboard specifically designed for entering classic cheat codes. The inclusion of Liberty City Stories stands out as a major technical achievement since the project relied on finishing unfinished reverse-engineered foundations from the portable era. The collection adapts these massive open-world titles into surprisingly natural experiences for dual-screen hardware.
Running these games requires some technical effort from players rather than a simple digital download. The homebrew release does not contain any original publisher assets, meaning users must supply their own legally obtained game data and compile the ports themselves on a modded console. As official support for older handhelds fades into history, community-driven projects continue to show how dedicated players breathe new life into legacy gaming hardware long after manufacturers move on.
Tags: GTA, Nintendo 3DS, Homebrew, Retro Gaming
Original article: Game Rant