GTA: Vice City Now Runs in Your Browser — Classic 2002 Game Playable in Chrome With Original Files
A game that once required a dedicated gaming PC can now run directly inside a web browser. GTA: Vice City, Rockstar’s iconic 2002 open-world title, is now playable online through DOS Zone, a browser-based retro gaming platform.
The game runs entirely in modern browsers like Google Chrome, highlighting just how powerful today’s web technology has become. To save progress, players must upload an original copy of the game, which serves as proof of ownership. Cloud saves are available through a js-dos 8.xx subscription, allowing progress to sync across devices.
When GTA: Vice City first launched, it required hardware such as a Pentium IV or AMD Athlon XP, 256MB of RAM, and a 64MB graphics card. Even the Definitive Edition (2021) demands far more powerful components. Despite this, DOS Zone’s browser version needs only 56MB at launch, dynamically loading the game world as you explore the map.
Performance is generally smooth, and loading times are significantly faster than the original PC release. Some minor streaming issues can occur at high speeds, but adjusting the map memory setting to “high” helps resolve this.
The developer notes that this version is based on an open-source project hosted on GitHub and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games. Once uploaded, the game can be played on nearly any device with a modern browser. It supports keyboard, controllers, and touch controls, making it possible to play Vice City almost anywhere with an internet connection.
This release raises an impressive question: are modern browsers now as powerful as gaming PCs from 20 years ago?
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