Though sold in two out of the three Ammu-Nations, it is otherwise very rare in the game - It is not used by any NPC in the game except for the Ammu-Nation store-keeper in Downtown Vice City.
Originally properly named 'Colt Python' only later to be renamed '.357' in the 2.0 version, the Colt Python appears as the sole revolver in the game, possibly meant as an homage to films like Dirty Harry and Taxi Driver (though in both instances the prominent revolvers therein were. Although it incorrectly uses a large magazine capacity of 17 rounds, it one of two firearm models to be recycled from Grand Theft Auto III, the other being the Remington 700. This is virtually the only weapon used by armed NPC's in free-roam outside of missions and sub-missions, the exceptions being the Ammu-Nation store shopkeepers, the Golfers and the soldiers around Fort Baxter (programmed similar to gangs) and Tommy's Gang after completing the storyline missions. It is the most popular weapon in the game being used by the Vice City Police Department, all gang members, Patrol Invest Group (PIG) guards and many more. They can be put to good use while robbing stores.Ĭalled the 'Colt 45' in the original release and later renamed 'Pistol' in the 2.0 version, the M1911A1 appears as the game's first handgun. The two handguns in the game have a theme color of lime green.
This version was plagued with new bugs and other quality regressions, resulting in the PC release being pulled from sale. On November 11th 2021, the game was re-released with further altered graphics as part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. On these games, many of the guns have been renamed and deliberately redesigned to bear less of a resemblance to their real-life counterparts, likely due to potential copyright issues. The game was updated to a 2.0 version, which is the version on PC and Xbox as well as later PS2 releases. However, the game also generated controversy, with criticism directed at the depiction of violence and racial groups. Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, with praise particularly directed at its music, gameplay and open world design. The game's events follow on from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. After he is caught up in an ambushed drug deal, he seeks out those responsible while building a criminal empire and seizing power from other criminal organizations in the city. Set within the fictional Vice City (based on Miami) in 1986, the game follows mobster Tommy Vercetti following his release from prison.
It was released on 27 October 2002 for the PlayStation 2, on for Microsoft Windows, and on 31 October 2003 for the Xbox.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the sixth title in the Grand Theft Auto series and the first main entry since 2001's Grand Theft Auto III, developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games.