09/02/2013
Mastering Liberty City: Your Definitive Guide to GTA 3 PS2 Cheats
Welcome, aspiring kingpins of Liberty City! Grand Theft Auto III on the PlayStation 2 wasn't just a game; it was a revolution. And like any good revolution, it came with its own set of secret weapons and shortcuts. If you've ever found yourself yearning for a tank to blast through traffic, a sudden downpour to escape the heat, or simply an endless supply of ammunition, then you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide delves deep into the treasure trove of cheat codes available exclusively for the PS2 version of GTA 3. Prepare to unleash chaos, bend the rules, and experience Liberty City like never before!
- The Art of the Cheat: How to Enter Codes
- A Word of Caution: Saving and Cheats
- Unlocking the Arsenal: Weapons and Ammo
- Fortifying Your Position: Health and Armour
- Manipulating the Environment: Weather and Pedestrians
- Unleashing the Vehicles: From Tanks to Flying Cars
- Time Manipulation and More
- Beyond the Codes: In-Game Exploits and Easter Eggs
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Art of the Cheat: How to Enter Codes
Entering cheats in Grand Theft Auto III for the PS2 is remarkably straightforward. Unlike some games that require you to pause the action, GTA 3 allows you to input these button combinations at any time during gameplay. Simply press the corresponding buttons on your PS2 controller in rapid succession. A confirmation message will usually appear on screen, indicating that the cheat has been activated. Remember to use the directional buttons (D-pad) for codes that specify directional inputs, not the analog stick.
A Word of Caution: Saving and Cheats
Before we dive into the fun, a crucial warning is in order. Rockstar Games themselves advise that saving your game after activating certain cheats can corrupt your save file. To avoid this potential disaster, it is highly recommended to perform any cheat-fueled mayhem, then quit the game without saving. If you wish to keep your progress, save your game before you start experimenting with cheat codes. This ensures you have a clean save to return to if anything goes awry.
Unlocking the Arsenal: Weapons and Ammo
What's a crime lord without his tools? These cheats grant you immediate access to the full spectrum of Liberty City's weaponry.
| Cheat Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| R2, R2, L1, R2, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up | Unlock all weapons |
For those who prefer a more direct approach to firepower, there's a clever trick to achieve infinite ammunition:
Infinite Ammo Trick
While there isn't a direct cheat for infinite ammo, you can achieve it in-game. When you collect over 9,999 rounds for any specific weapon, you will automatically gain unlimited ammunition for it. You'll still need to perform reloads, but you'll never run out of bullets mid-fight!
Fortifying Your Position: Health and Armour
Staying alive is paramount in the cutthroat world of Liberty City. Keep your health and armour topped up with these essential cheats.
| Cheat Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| R2, R2, L1, L2, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up | Get full armour |
| R2, R2, L1, R1, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up | Regain full health |
Manipulating the Environment: Weather and Pedestrians
Control the very atmosphere of Liberty City and the behaviour of its inhabitants.
| Cheat Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| L1, L2, R1, R2, R2, R1, L2, Triangle | Clear the weather |
| L1, L2, R1, R2, R2, R1, L2, Square | Make cloudy weather |
| L1, L2, R1, R2, R2, R1, L2, X | Make foggy weather |
| L1, L2, R1, R2, R2, R1, L2, Circle | Make rainy weather |
| R2, R1, Triangle, X, L2, L1, Up, Down | Crazy pedestrians |
| Down, Up, Left, Up, X, R1, R2, L2, L1 | Make pedestrians attack you (Warning: Cannot be disabled) |
| Right, Down, Left, Up, L1, L2, Up, Left, Down, Right | Make pedestrians fight each other |
Unleashing the Vehicles: From Tanks to Flying Cars
Why walk when you can drive, fly, or cause vehicular mayhem?
| Cheat Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| L2, R2, L1, R1, L2, R2, Triangle, Square, Circle, Triangle, L2, L1 | Blow up all cars |
| R1, L1, R2, L1, Left, R1, R1, Triangle | Better driving skills |
| L1, L1, Square, R2, Triangle, L1, Triangle | Invisible cars |
| R2, R2, L1, R2, Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right | Higher wanted level |
| R2, R2, L1, R2, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down | Lower wanted level |
| Circle, Circle, Circle, Square, Square, Square, Square, Square, L1, Triangle, Circle, Triangle | Spawn a tank |
| Right, Down, Left, Up, L1, L2, Up, Left, Down, Right | Unlock all outfits |
| Right, R2, Circle, R1, L2, Down, L1, R1 | Flying cars |
Time Manipulation and More
Control the pace of the game and access other miscellaneous, yet useful, cheats.
| Cheat Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| Triangle, Up, Right, Down, Square, R1, R2 | Slow motion gameplay |
| Triangle, Up, Right, Down, Square, L1, L2 | Fast motion gameplay |
| Circle, Circle, Circle, Square, L1, Triangle, Circle, Triangle | Speed up time |
| R2, R2, L1, L1, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up | More money ($250,000) |
| Down, Up, Left, Up, X, R1, R2, L1, L2 | More gore |
Beyond the Codes: In-Game Exploits and Easter Eggs
GTA 3 is also brimming with clever in-game mechanics and hidden secrets that don't require button inputs.
Free Vehicle Repairs
Damaged your ride? Simply park your vehicle in any of your safehouses' garages. Once you exit the car and the garage door closes, re-enter the vehicle, and it will be fully repaired, good as new!
Maximising Garage Space
While garages are typically designed for two cars, a little trick allows you to squeeze in more. Park two cars in the garage. Then, carefully position one of them so it jams the garage door, preventing it from closing fully. You can then drive additional smaller vehicles into the garage, effectively exceeding its intended capacity.
Instant Island Travel
Need to get to Staunton Island or Shoreside Vale in a hurry? Drive your car to the blue wall that blocks the tunnel leading to the other islands on the first island. Get out, and then use a weapon or another vehicle to blow up your car. The explosion will often fling you across the blocked path, transporting you to the next island.
The Free Paint Job Gambit
Want a fresh look for your vehicle? Drive into a Pay 'N' Spray, pay for the paint job and repair, and then immediately drive back out. If timed correctly, you can often get a second paint job for free, effectively giving you a free cosmetic upgrade.
Raising Your Maximum Health
For a permanent boost to your health, head to the Red Light District. Find a lady of the night, pick her up in a suitable vehicle, and take her to a secluded alley. Waiting with her will gradually increase your maximum health, up to a cap of 125.
Easy Kills in Vigilante Missions
When undertaking Vigilante missions, a simple trick can make taking down targets easier. Position yourself close to the target's vehicle, pause the game, and then unpause it. Often, the target will be startled and jump out of their car, allowing you to easily run them over.
The Shootable Moon Easter Egg
Fancy a bit of surreal fun? Equip your sniper rifle and take aim at the moon. Shooting it will cause its size to change, cycling through different sizes. It's a small, amusing detail that adds to the game's quirky charm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable cheats in GTA 3 PS2?
Yes, most cheats can be disabled by entering the code again. However, some cheats, particularly those affecting pedestrians (like 'Peds Riot' or 'Peds Attack'), cannot be disabled and will persist until you reload a previous save file.
Will using cheats affect my ability to get trophies/achievements?
The information provided is specific to the original PS2 version of GTA 3. Trophies and achievements are features of later console generations (PS3, PS4, PS5) and their respective remastered editions. Using cheats on those versions may disable trophy/achievement progression for that save file.
Is there a cheat for infinite ammo in GTA 3 PS2?
There isn't a direct button code for infinite ammo. However, as detailed above, collecting over 9,999 rounds for a weapon will grant you unlimited ammunition for that specific weapon.
Can I use these cheats on other versions of GTA 3?
No, these codes are specific to the PlayStation 2 version of Grand Theft Auto III. Other platforms, such as Xbox and PC, have their own unique cheat codes.
Does saving with cheats enabled corrupt my game?
There is a risk of save file corruption if you save the game after using certain cheats. It's strongly advised to save your game before using cheats and then quit without saving once you're finished experimenting.
Liberty City is your oyster, and with these cheats and tricks, you're now better equipped than ever to explore its gritty streets, cause mayhem, and truly master Grand Theft Auto III on the PlayStation 2. Go forth and cause some glorious chaos!
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