You can now play GTA Vice City directly in your web browser — no downloads, no installs, just instant nostalgia

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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was one of my favorite GTA games growing up, alongside San Andreas.

Originally launched in 2002 for PlayStation 2, and then released on Xbox and PC in 2003, Vice City rapidly gained popularity thanks to its unique atmosphere, memorable music, and overall style.

The game received high praise from critics and served as many players’ first experience with mature-themed gaming.

It’s amazing considering how long ago it came out, but you can now play Grand Theft Auto: Vice City right in your web browser.

Playing GTA Vice City in a browser

The Dos Zone team, experts in preserving old computer games, has made it possible to play classics like Doom, Half-Life: Deathmatch, and the original Grand Theft Auto directly in your web browser.

This demo is designed to work on Windows and Android devices because it runs directly in your web browser. It should also work on macOS, iOS, and Linux, provided you’re using a current web browser.

The demo works with many different screen sizes and accepts input from standard keyboards and game controllers. I tested it on my Xbox Ally X and it ran perfectly. It’s playable on tablets and phones too, though touch controls can be a little clunky.

You can save your progress on your device, and optionally back it up to the cloud using js-dos, letting you continue playing on different devices.

There’s a restriction in the demo: you can’t continue past the first part of the story at the Ocean View Hotel unless you verify that you own an account.

To proceed, users need to upload their original Vice City game data. The system then checks this file to make sure it’s a legitimate, unaltered copy of the game.

The legality and how to play

The legal status of this situation is still uncertain. DOS Zone claims it doesn’t distribute the actual game files themselves, instead using files uploaded by users. However, this doesn’t mean the game’s owners will approve of a version playable online through a web browser.

Even though it’s unclear if this is legal, it’s still remarkable what the team has achieved. It makes you wonder what other demanding games could potentially run in a web browser – maybe even Crysis?

If you want to check it out for yourself, you can check out the demo by clicking here.

Are browser games the best way to play classic retro titles, or do you still prefer playing on the original consoles? Let us know what you think, and tell us how you plan to enjoy Vice City!

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2025-12-19 17:40