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Rockstar Games released an unannounced update for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition on November 12, introducing visual improvements and gameplay fixes to current-generation systems. The update brings the console versions in line with features previously exclusive to last year's mobile release.
The patch's most significant change is the addition of classic lighting options in the graphics menu. The feature, "restores the look and feel of the sky in the original games," according to Rockstar, with lighting across areas like Los Santos and Las Venturas now matching the classic versions. The update also reintroduces atmospheric effects like heat haze and ambient clouds.
Twitter user @MarioButoto99 has documented several technical improvements, including enhanced character models that now feature more natural animations. The user also noted that previously problematic swimming speeds had been corrected across all three games.
Twitter user @BeskInfinity spotted additional significant changes. Street lights now display their original orange glow with flare effects, replacing the previous white lighting. The user also discovered that players can now move while firing shotguns, assault rifles, and flamethrowers in GTA III and Vice City, restoring previously removed functionality. Running and aiming animations have also been improved.
Download sizes vary by platform. For PC, San Andreas requires 18.4GB, Vice City 8.8GB, and GTA III 4.1GB. Console update sizes have not been fully documented, with only Vice City's PlayStation 5 update confirmed at 1.6GB.
Grove Street Games, the studio behind the initial 2021 remaster, has been removed from the games' opening credits. The original release faced significant criticism for technical issues and visual changes from the classic versions.
Rockstar's patch notes indicate these improvements are exclusive to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions. PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch owners will not receive the update.
