Grand Theft Auto III - The Improved Classic

Here you find a complete set of modifications that will fix most problems, recover many features and improve your GTAIII with just a simple download and installation.

Goal

After playing the game in various other versions, I noticed how problematic the PC port is. Because of that, I decided to create this compilation of modifications to transform the game into what it should have been from the start. This modpack brings numerous fixes and improvements to textures, models, characters, lighting, and more. Additionally, it includes optional modifications to further enhance your experience. Enjoy!

What's Changing?

1st: Recovered many PS2 features lost during the port;
2nd: Added many fixes and improvements to the map;
3rd: Added high quality audio effects from the PS2 version;
4th: Enhanced the in-game UI for better view on modern monitors and TV's;
5th: Added better vehicle models from the Xbox version with fixes;
6th: Added controller support with proper button icons and vibration;
7th: Fixed many graphics, lighting and reflection errors, with shaders from the Xbox;
8th: Improved all the characters with enhanced models from the Xbox version;
9th: Fixed many gameplay errors;
10th: Enhanced the draw distance and removed loading screens when changing between islands.

And a lot more...

Warnings

• By installing these modifications you are denying the Rockstar Games EULA. Any errors or problems in the game the contact should be made with the guide's creator or the author of the modification. To avoid problems, if possible, backup the original files.
  
  
• Make sure you have a clean version of the game. If you add this modpack with other modifications (scripts, textures, models, etc) the game will crash or have some bugs. If you don't know how to make a clean reinstall check the tutorial I made in the Notes section.
  
  
• If you find any errors or crashes, please, make sure to add a comment. If the problems are found in the modpack a fix will be released as soon as possible.

Modpack & Changes

The installation process is very simple. First download the modpack in the link below, then follow the steps:

Open your Steam library> Right click on Grand Theft Auto III> Select Properties> Navigate into Installed Files> Select Browse...> Extract the files that are inside the Main Files folder in the modpack into there, replacing what is needed> Play!


Modpack Download Link: GTAIII - The Improved Classic Modpack (586MB)[1drv.ms]

Changes & Improvements (10/27/24)

• Added the latest version of the Silent Patch mod;
  
• Made some adjustments to the HUD to work better with the new Silent Patch version;
  
• Changed the shaders option from the PS2 version to the Xbox version (the classic shader option is available in the optionals folder);
  
• Added many 10th Anniversry textures around the map, like graffiti and textures in Chinatown;
  
• [11/10/24] - Made changes to the bullet traces.

Modifications Used & Notes

These are just the Modifications that I've included in the modpack (You don't need to install them). The credits go to all the amazing modders that helped to fix and improve this game. Make sure to check the original posts from the authors for more details about each modification.

• Liberty City - The Leftovers Fix[gtaforums.com] - Created by Igor Bogdanoff and Various Modders
  
• SilentPatch[gtaforums.com] - Created by Silent
  
• Grand Theft Auto 3 Widescreen Fix[github.com] - Created by ThirteenAG
  
• SkyGfx[gtaforums.com] - Created By The Hero
  
• Project 2DFX[thirteenag.github.io] - Created by ThirteenAG
  
• Sharptrails[gtaforums.com] - Created by The Hero
  
• HQ Radar[gtaforums.com] - Created by yojo2
  
• Framerate Vigilante[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Junior_Djjr
  
• Fixed Helicopter and Airplane Collision[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Fire_Head
  
• PS2 Animations[www.gtagarage.com] - Created by kewun
  
• GInput [www.gtagarage.com] - Created by Silent
  
• Skin Filter[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Sergeanur
  
• Classic AXIS[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By _AG
  
• RunDLL32 Fix[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Swoorup
  
• NoDEP[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Fabio
  
• Mouse Wheel Radio Changer[www.gtagarage.com] - Created By ThirteenAG
  
• VBDec[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Silent, Sergeanur, Ash, Jéssica Natália
  
• Fixed XBOX Vehicles[gtaforums.com] - Created By MrFinger
  
• LCS Vehicle Camera[gtaforums.com] - Created By erorcun
  
• Xbox Version HD[gtaforums.com] - Created By Rim
  
  
  

  Notes

  
  - To make a clean reinstall, follow these steps:
  
  Open your Steam library> Right click on Grand Theft Auto III> Select Properties> Navigate into Installed Files> Select Browse...> In a new window the game folder should appear> Delete all the files in the folder> Return to your Steam library> Right click on Grand Theft Auto III> Select Properties> Navigate into Installed Files> Select Verify Integrity Of Game Files> Steam should start to download the original files again.
  
  
  - If sometimes the game won't start or crashes in the menu. Try to set compatibility mode Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
  
  - If you are having problems when changing the resolution or the game is not launching, open the GTA3.WidescreenFix.ini file (You can open with Notepad), and change the ResX to the value of your X resolution (Ex: 1920) and the ResY to the value of your Y resolution (Ex: 1080).
  
  - Some micro-stuttering may be present due to many modifications that are rendering at the same time.
  
  - Some missions can have errors because of the higher FPS. For that, I Recommend you to check the Frame Limiters folder at the Optionals in the modpack.
  
  - If you want to play with the original gameplay style, just go to your scripts folder and delete the ClassicAxisIII.asi and ClassicAxisIII.ini files.
  
  - If you want to use any Dualshock/Dualsense controller with this game, make sure to use a Xbox controller emulator and change the controller icons (The Dualshock icons can be found in the Optionals mods in the modpack).
  
  - If you find problems after installing the modpack, pleasy, try a clean reinstall and follow the steps again. If the problems continues, drop a comment, I'll check if the problem is present in the current version of the modpack. If found, a new version will be released to fix that.
  
  Thank You.

Screenshots

My Other Guides

If you liked this guide, make sure to see my other guides:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1959669205
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1956640711
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1965324282

The 5th Anniversary Message

Started back in 2020 under the name "The Classic Version," the guide was initially meant as a way for me to backup my original modifications of my GTA games. At the start, it was a modpack featuring all the original PS2 assets, including textures, models, and scripts, transforming the original PC version into the original 2001 release. By June 2020, many users on Steam had already accessed the modpack and started to leave their feedback. Many users began to demand more modifications, so heading into 2021, I decided to abandon the original PS2 features only and started to add improvements that were already available on the PC version and improvements only found in the Xbox version. By the end of the year, the modpack got a name change on Steam, now being called "The Improved Version" to keep up with the changes made in the modpack.

In 2022, the modpack started to get more and more modifications that went beyond only porting models from the console versions. Modifications like Proper Fixes on SA and many others, on GTA3, GTA4 and VC, were added, bringing the modpack to a whole new level. For the first time, the goal was to "make the PC version the best version possible." However, by that time, the Definitive Editions had already been released, so I decided to bring back the original modpack name, now calling it "The Improved Classic." Heading into 2023, I started to add many 10th-anniversary fixes and improvements like character models, map textures, and higher resolution UI to fully achieve the "Best Version of the game." Improvements were carried and adapted even more in 2024.

To end, I want to thank each and every one of you who downloaded, commented, and made this modpack what it is today. Without you, there wouldn't be any updates or changes for this 5th Anniversary. The goal was always meant for you to have fun with these classics the way you remembered or wanted them to be since you started to play. Today, I feel that I have achieved the goal that I placed back in 2022, and it was all thanks to you and the amazing community of modders who dedicated their time to these classics.

THANK YOU, AGAIN!

[Kazma]

I found out that SkyGFX caused the amount of frame issue. Switching over to the optional settings that are set fixes the issue

[Kazma]

Explosions kill the frames like crazy. What could be the cause of this?

[theror245]

@Kend ever fix invisible cars?

[theror245]

@Tom (LitheSabredude) launch with proton experimental

[Kend]

All cars are invisible same with vc any help?

[kay kykando]

How can I disable autoaim while playing with a gamepad?

[Fusion]

Any way to reduce lag?

[GranAlan-84]

@BParks21 Unfortunately it's tied to the modpack's IMG files, removing it would cause crashes and broken models in the game.

[BParks21]

How can I remove that mod?

[GranAlan-84]

@BParks21 It's a bug from the Skin & Bones mod.