Grand Theft Auto is one of the largest selling series of video games in history, transcending platforms from MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows in 1997, to five versions of PlayStation, three transitions of Xbox, and a plethora of other operating systems willing to jump on this video game bandwagon. The series has flourished in popularity despite, and due to, its bold use of foul language, graphic violence, and heavily criticized sexist and borderline racist content.The series skyrocketed Rockstar Games', a video game publishing company, popularity among gamers. The non-linear, free-roam style gameplay and risky theme appealed to players. The Grand Theft Auto series has sold over $250 million units as of November 2016, while Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold over $90 million units since its release in 2013.

Grand Theft Auto III transitioned from 2D to a highly immersive 3D experience in 2001. This decision influenced action-adventure video games that followed GTA III's release. 

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was the fourth game to be released in the main series in 2002. The gameplay takes place in neon and substance filled Miami in the 1980s. The characters, fashion, music, and entire game design pulled direct influence from pop culture films such as Scarface, and the hit TV series Miami Vice. It's been awhile since we drove our Banshee into a palm tree the first time we played. If you're feeling nostalgic about a game that allowed you to walk freely into a club before you're 18, read over these 25 memes and laugh to your hearts content. 

Here's 25 Hilarious Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Memes

20 "It Looked A lot Bigger When I Was Younger..."

Additions to Grand Theft Auto maps since Vice City have seen the scope of explorations swell dramatically, beginning with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in 2004, followed with Grand Theft Auto IV in 2008, and the epic journey of Grand Theft Auto V in 2013. Video game enthusiasts who binged GTA V marveled at the staggering amount of time it would take to travel from one corner of the map to the other. These same enthusiasts go back to the classic stylistically inclined Vice City and are even more stunned by the sheer lack of vastness that the map presented.

The YouTube channel How Big Is This Map, tries to find the biggest maps in open world games. In both of their videos, the YouTuber drives across the map in a similar vehicle and times himself. In Vice City, it takes almost 6 minutes to drive across the map, whereas in GTA V it takes about 18 minutes. How Big Is This Map conducted another test, looking at how long it would take the character would have to run across the map. In Vice City, it took 14 minutes. In GTA V, it took an hour to get across the map. As one Reddit user was quoted to say in a thread that compared GTA map sizes, "it felt much bigger when I was younger."

19 Time To Hide That Big Ol' Weapon!

Grand Theft Auto games are known for the infinite amount of weapons the characters are capable of both attaining and carrying, all while on a person without any visual implication of storage. Tommy Vercetti, the protagonist of the game, sports a tasteful Hawaiian button up and a pair of jeans for most of the game. What mobster worth any salt is able to be respected without a velvet jogging suit hanging in his closet?

This leaves little space to conceal anything, least of all items intended to cause a ton of harm.

These are not exactly the get-ups associated with military weaponry. But who decides to zap themselves back to 1980s Miami for realism? When you're able to repeatedly steal cars and drop kick strangers off of scooters, why is it out of the realm of possibility to store a rocket launcher in the back of your Levis? Make your way from the club to the pizza joint, while you steal three or four cop cars. Don't worry your highly dangerous machine gun and ammunition are safe when they disappear into your stylish ensemble.

18 All Alone, No One Here Beside Me...

As Vice City progresses, Tommy begins building a fortune amounted through committing crimes, robbing banks and clothing stores, and plain ol' cheat codes, depending on what kind of game player you credit yourself as. Once various missions are completed, you begin to own multiple establishments, like an ice cream factory, barber shop, ammunition shop, so on and so forth. As money is pouring in, it's safe to  assume that Mr. Vice City has got all that and a bag of potato chips, right? Wrong! Despite Tommy's immense wealth and kingpin status, Rockstar Games failed to award the floral sporting lawbreaker with a long-term girlfriend along the cinematic narrative.

There were at least two potential implications though, one acting as Mercedes Cortez, who clearly flirted with Tommy and has hinted at a relationship with the mobster. The second was Candy, a performer who sends Tommy a poster and some interesting photos after he does her a favour. Many fans of the series have expressed disappointment at this vacant aspect of the video game. It seems like money can't always buy you happiness, right?

17 Laws Of Physics Don't Apply In Vice City

Vice City is the home of many stimulating past-times, the majority of them centering around a vivid night life or a flashy and stunning day in the sun. The thriving city emulates that of Miami,  particularly in the 80s. Carnal pleasure was the main focus at that time. Tourists and locals enjoyed and encouraged indulgence like participating in adult activities, visiting a variety of clubs, and spending copious amounts of money on these activities. Most times, these individuals would end the night with a morning stroll on the beach. 

Why struggle walking in sand, when you can just glide across. 

This was truly the case in the fiction universe of Vice City too. Background characters and pedestrians would sport bathing suits and summer clothing jaunting merrily down the streets, passing the formidable Mr. Vercetti. On the sparkling shores of the Vice City harbour, the famous roller skaters can be observed gliding by, without a single care in the world. It seem that the didn't care about aerodynamics or basic logic either. The roller skaters were often see speeding away from the weapon toting Tommy in the sand. We don't know if they simply forgot that plastic wheels are not made to sail seamlessly over sand? Like we said before, if you're looking for realism, go watch Blue Planet.

16 Nope. Just No. Full Of Nope. All Of The Nope.

Mother of God. Mother of Dragons. Mother of all the Mothers that ever Mothered. This. Mission. A shiver of sheer repressed frustration still runs down our spine and shoots down to my clenched fist around our invisible PlayStation controller. When we think about this mission, or anything to do with the GTA series and a helicopter as a matter of fact, we lose it. "Demolition Man" is only the twelfth mission in Vice City and still keeps its legendary status among most GTA fans as the hardest mission in the entire game.

The mission asks Tommy to place explosives at the construction site of one of his enemies for a boss, but it most be done via remote control. A miniature dark red helicopter appears and you must, as a mortal being, somehow manage to fly the irritatingly erratic and sensitive controls machine. As you attempt to fly the helicopter, you're also being blasted by nearby enemy workers. The controls are not NEARLY as simple as the those used to drive around and wreck havoc on the city. The mission delays many gamers progression of the game and crushes what remains of a teenager's patience. Sure, it's funny now, but then? Absolutely brutal. 

15 Even Tommy Has To Make That Extra Dough!

As discussed before, Tommy is Vice City's largest Kingpin. He owns an extravagant amount of property as the game approaches its final dramatic curtain close. Everyone who is worth knowing, knows Tommy's name. No one will mess with him and the favours roll in as fast as the cash. Even gameplay wise, once you actually beat the game, the money you've gained should suffice to provide for the lavish lifestyle of a kingpin. But hey, if you're not concerned about the effort it takes to maintain such a macho image, then why stop there?

There's no shame in getting a part-time job. 

GTA offers game players luxurious side missions that land them boastful rewards that beef up their own user esteem. One of those missions is a ten-parter titled "Pizza Boy", which has Vice City's least favourite son whip around the city on a eardrum splitting, high-pitched scooter to feed the masses. You got to do what you've got to do. Our unsung hero is timed to, quite literally, toss whole pizzas at his customers ten consecutive times in a row. Players can earn an increase in health, cash, and a personalized scooter with embroidery from the supremely thankful pizza joint. Who says selling pizza can't be glamorous?

14 I'll Be Right Back For You In A Minute!

In the spirit of side missions, take a look at this meme in reference to yet another notch in your Vice City belt in the form of a paramedic narrative. Unlike the previous "Pizza Boy" mission, these expeditions do not have an end goal. This is similar to the taxi driver, firefighter, and helicopter vigilante missions. WEach voluntary service has a timer and levels, each increasing in difficultly and narrowing time to zip across the boardwalk. All while, defy the laws of physics, and actual laws, when flying over seeming 90 degree park benches.

When you get to the victim's location, they hop into the passenger seat, which is odd and not safe at all. Once again, you inevitably defy every traffic law known to man and plow through more pedestrians and drivers in order to satisfy the standards of your mission orders. Some advice for new players, don't be surprised if that same rollerblader you clipped earlier rings you for a quick lift to the hospital to be stitched back together. All thanks to the genius driving skills and expert hand-eye coordination earned through that hard-fought "Demolition Man" mission. *Shivers*.

13 Bushes Are Made Of Steel In Vice City

In Vice City, there is very little room for the practical elements of life. Who needs to drive like a civilized citizen, obeying traffic laws or not shooting at people from a motorcycle. It's not necessary in Vice City, but there is one slight problem. Why are somethings made out of metal? When our lovely Mr. Vercetti tries to walk into an random shop, it's like he's walking into a wall. Or turning himself into Michael Jackson as he moonwalks against the wall. The stores that you can enter have something out of the Boy George version of Star Trek hovering outside of them, transporting you instantaneously to their vast retail outlet. That same pink halo floats all around the city, and only the blessed Tommy is able to see them.

I'm going to spread my wings and fly through the skies. 

Park benches, palm trees and bushes randomly placed along the borders of the streets seem to be magnetized to the equator, standing solid as your car or, God forbid, scooter or motorcycle flies rapidly into its unforgiving exterior. All GTA players have experienced this kind of amusing moment. For example, when you Harley, travelling at minimal speed, slightly caress the concrete Thor-like surface of a bush which abruptly sends you hurdling through the skies. It is a nice view, but it does hurt in the end. By the time you get back to your Harley's location, it's already been GTA-ed. Curses.

12 If Only You Could Buy Water Wings...

Once Vice City gained its notoriety, it became increasingly easy to criticize capabilities that the main character was lacking. The classic video gamer is always wanting more; that ability to dive into the surreal should be limitless, right? Changes that arrived in Vice City that were absent in GTA appeared in the form of the ability to fly planes, ride boats across vast rivers, though proving not to be AS vast as the blatant seas in GTA V, and even cruise into the sunset in flashy news helicopters. 

The video game universe allowed Tommy to be indestructible, almost superhero like in his magical ability to rise from the dead and change outfits with the click of a button. But, there is one ability that Tommy eternally lacks is swimming. Rockstar did not focus on blessing Mr. Vercetti with swimmers legs, despite being surrounded by a body of water. The void was clearly taken note of though, because the following installments included this ability and even slipped in a few Easter Eggs for the players enjoyment. Like being eaten by sharks in GTA V. Looks like Tommy's got to keep up with that tan instead.

11 Steel Bushes Can Stall Weapons Of War...

Not only are you able to grand theft auto a shiny and very expensive,Ferrari you've fantasized about, but with the use of handy dandy cheat code at your fingertips you can decrease, or increase, your wanted level. By wanted level five, the military is getting involved because the local police efforts have not been sufficient. From there, a couple of tanks begin rolling toward this invincible Hawaiian shirt sporting anti-hero! Then, through the power of video game confidence and skill, you are able to whip out the trained solider driving the massive weapon of war towards you and begin rolling it around the city. Blasting Corey Hart till your hearts content.

Who needs a tank, when you have an indestructible bush. 

You should do your best to avoid smashing into any kind of shrubbery, as as mentioned earlier. There seems to be some disguised armour embedded within the trees and bushes that can stop tanks in their tracks. We wouldn't mind having that amour top protect ourselves during the "Demolition Man" mission. It could have been useful. Your car may be fine on impact, but we can't say the same about your tank. They tend to spontaneously combust upon impact. Simply tap the front of the rolling wheels to any parked or moving car and it will disintegrate into the video game ashes its whence came.

10 Meh, I've Got Nothing Better To Do

Speaking of GTA cop logic, there exists a fair amount of memes entirely dedicated to the lack of actual police protection and community awareness expressed by Vice City PD. They always seem to be around when you don't need them. In this case, you are intentionally choosing to act like a criminal, so their presence isn't exactly welcomed when you're trying to scoop up a few extra dollars from the mobster you just took out.

Sometimes, though, there are clearly hostile behaviours that most police officers would approach with some kind of caution and confusion.  Tommy could squat in front of the cop car for hours on end, cruise down the street with a sniper rifle tucked under his arm, and disregard every traffic law to ever be put into existence. Would they care? Nah.

Tommy seems to possess the power of quite literally stopping traffic. When he strides in front of a cop car, it slows to a halt. It's the same thing with all Vice City visitors and inhabitants. They don't try to move around you or slowly inch forward, they stay put.  It is only when you choose to disrupt the established order with a punch to their precious car hood, or even, God forbid, those physic defying rollerskaters, that VCPD seem to come back to life.

9 Floating Money? Don't Mind If I Do!

After a long stint in the joint and a fair amount of time away from Liberty City, Tommy Vercetti is sent to Vice City by his old boss Sonny Forelli to act as a buyer in a substance deal. Unable to find work or even succumb to the average white picket fence lifestyle, Tommy accepts, and is ultimately betrayed. A series of Scareface-esque life ending situation and obscenities are exchanged throughout the game. This, in the end,  makes Tommy the undisputed kingpin of a city. Even though it wasn't his choice in the beginning.

How can you ignore the allure of free money? 

If you follow the main plot, refraining from the evil list of cheat codes, you're able to make a pretty decent amount of cash that the average person can barely dream of. However, following the same line of thinking, if Tommy is an all powerful Kingpin, why can't he refuse the temptation of free floating money? Wouldn't he have the strength to stay away? Clearly not, but can we blame? Ten dollars is ten dollars, even if it's in video game land. Tommy can get himself a nice medium pizza, so can we really blame him?

8 Easy Pickings Over In Vice City

Vice City gave us fancy cars and slick suits, while embracing the bright and vibrant colours of the 80s. As the series title implies, one of the main actions of the gameplay is to steal and wreck abandoned cars in parking lots or unceremoniously remove the driver from their car to take his place and speed off with your new ride. This is all done while completing other tasks during gameplay.

Grand Theft Auto is, literally, the name of the game, but there appears to be very little skill required to actually participate in the thievery. Tommy is an experienced transgressor, so it would not be out of the realm of reality to think that he would be more than capable of say, hot wiring a car or unlocking a car with a coat hanger. In Vice City, everyone seems to be impractically trusting or just plain stupid. The citizens of Vice City make getting a new car so simple. It's like selecting a meal at McDonalds. All Tommy has to do is see that glowing ruby red BMW, scan street for witness, open the door, start her up, and drive away. Boom! You are now the proud owner of someone's BMW.

7 "BILLE JEANNNNN"

This meme is so relatable, it hurts. We used to drive around in GTA III for hours on end, listening to Chatterbox with Lazlow, the talk show station with hilarious skit routines and hilarious commercials. But when it came to pristine music playlists, Vice City is where its at. The GTA playlists that have followed are good enough, but they don't even come close to the epic narratively relevant atmosphere that the tunes were able to shape.

Music was a key player in the 80s, directly tying itself into the clothing style, the hair choices, the popularizations of TV shows. Artists from all genres were pumped out of every boombox and stereo, from Michael Jackson, Prince, Blondie, to Run DMC. Gyrating from one mission to another was made quick and smooth by this supremely bone igniting playlist. The playlist was so lit, that you wouldn't want leave your car, even if you got to your destination. The ambiance is so overwhelming that a simple stroll out in the winter blasting some Miley Cyrus just can't quite meet the mark of what it feels like to sail down those Vice City suburbs. No one is too cool for some Billie Jean grooving.

6 If Only My Neighbour could Drive Like This...

This is the case in ALL GTA games. No one possess the magical power of turn signals. The hilarious part of all this is that you, as the first person player, are the most reckless of all the drivers on the road! However, if you actually try to drive safely out of either extreme boredom or curiosity, you'd be pleasantly surprised, or not, to notice how impressively safe all of the drivers around you happen to be. Who would have thought? 

Even if they're driving like robots, at a slow and steady pace not liked real life drivers. We've noticed it's impossible to get into an accident or injure anyone else if you obey traffic laws. Even without turn signals. which we can't say the same thing about the real world. Honestly. who chooses to play GTA to obey laws when you're Tommy Vercetti, the instigator of chaos, voiced by the talented Ray Liotta? There's a reputation you have to keep around Vice City! Go ahead, steal the open doored BMW and blast through some red lights. Go over the speed limit and hang out the driver's side window. Or if you really want to, drive at the speed limit and be a law abiding citizen. But, have at it, this is Vice City!

5 GTA Cop Logic: FOLLOW HIM NO MATTER WHAT

An inability to swim is not a defect reserved for our dark hero. Nope, even Vice City PD aren't able to indulge in those shimmering waves! Many players have been making their way away from the police when they accidentally make their way off of Vice City harbour or boardwalk. Don't forget to watch out for those rollerskaters. But as noted before, Tommy can't climb his way to safety because our Kingpin hasn't even learned to doggy paddle.

Dedication is key!

If the VCPD has ever been accused of anything degrading, it wouldn't be that they are void of dedication. It takes a true hero and dedication to spit in the face of the Grim Reaper and follow a criminal, who can't even swim, to their end. But, for some reason, the VCPD officer thought it would be smart to drive off the harbour with you. Wouldn't it be protocol to, we don't know, get out of your car before entering the ocean? Everyone will have to do with observing the disarray and work on their tan without the easeful cool of the ocean; or just wait for flying cars to blast you with a refreshing breeze.

4 It IS A Classic Guys

When GTA V was released in 2013, everyone was losing their minds. We remember distinctly standing in line at an EB Games for a midnight release, looking forward to all of the extra tidbits, like an expansive map, the ability to swim and be eaten by sharks, multiple storylines and character development. We were excited to play the game and immerse ourselves in yet another imaginary world. An imaginary world where we can choose whatever car to drive, blast music, and stay out to all times of the night.

But, there is something to be said about the nostalgia of GTA III and Vice City. Vice City is, for us and many other players, a classic that has yet to be duplicated. The music, the clothes, the plot, the cars, and the aesthetics emulating the distinct vibe associated with the stimulating decade of time are incredible. There are very few video games where you can drive around for hours on end without beginning a mission, just listening to the ripping tracks that the game had to offer. We simply hopped on a scooter or stole a BMW, trying not to hit any bushes, while 'Hold the Line' blarred out our radio.

3 Taxi Driver Logic

Taxi drivers aren't geniuses in the GTA world. Despite the supreme driving skill amongst the extras in the game, taxi drivers still arrive last on the list of people you want to get near. Especially during those dreaded 'no damage need be caused' missions in later GTA instalments. But, no one is accusing anyone in the game of possessing much intelligence anyway. Taxi drivers hear your gunshots being rolled out and, for whatever reason, feel it is necessary to remove themselves from their car and run away in a shriek of panic.

Duck and take cover... outside of your car?

One would think that if you hear gunshots from a distance and are already inside a moving car, you could drive away from the gun shot sounds, if you remain inside. Slam your foot down on that gas pedal and make your way out of the line of fire. Honestly, maybe they're just so used to Tommy's uncanny ability to steal cars, that taking yourself out of one prematurely is the best way to avoid punishment? Maybe it's time some of them move onto another place with fewer crimes. Heck, take some swimming lessons while your at it!

2 Don't Tell Me You've Never Thought About This

We've all seen it, we've all thought about it. Conveniently placed ramps in front of our faces, fervent shiny motorcycles lying blissfully on the side of the road. The extra trophies handed to you don't help that unquenchable to desire to hurl through the sky at an alarming rate and survive the fall. Vice City particularly has actual ramps--yes, ramps only and solely intended to be ramps--placed all over the city. Honestly, what were the architects of this city expecting? For us not to find the fastest and buzziest motorcycle around and leap through the clouds?

Locals daredevils simply cannot resist this obvious attempt at luring them into illegal activities. But we say, why not!? In order to earn the daredevil trophy in Vice City, you must successfully complete a total 36 separate stunts. You must run over a hidden pink glowing star to prove achievement. This takes you over buildings, through buildings, over construction sites, whipping and weaving through dank alleyways. So, after spending twelve hours and trying to capture this prestigious trophy, you expect us not to be tempted in real life traffic? If only we could at least do this and earn some floating money.

1 Oh, Those Were The Days...

We're sure there are gamers from every era who can relate to this final post. Comparatively, these graphics are stunning when you look at the first 2D installment of the Grand Theft Auto series. But, comparing the clunky floral getup to having the ability to detect snot running down Trevor's nose in GTA V it leaves Vice City enthusiasts shrugging. Sure, the graphics have greatly improved. Progress always happens with video games, its impossible to avoid.

Looking back, our overly critical eye can now see how glassy the ocean appears, the square shape of Tommy's torso and blurry facial features. It's a great improvement from GTA III, but it's nothing compared to the latest installment. But, the latest installments still leave something to be desired. Here's a meme with a highly pixelated Tommy Vercetti looking longingly over the city that he owns with an iron fist. His pizza scooter somewhere in the background with a Michael Jackson song slowly fading into that forever. The neon ambiance vibrating in our nostalgic souls.