2008 Woodie Awards
Grand Theft Audio
The Playlist: The Best Of The 'GTA III' Soundtracks
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Focus
Today is a momentous day in gaming history. Today is the day that "Grand Theft Auto IV," the next step in the series' legendary history, drops. Despite all the smack talk going around on internet forums about how the reviews that are out are biased, let's face it - we all know the game is going to be as good as they say it will.
No matter if you love the games or hate them, the one thing that they always get right (and it's certainly not the targeting system) is the use of sound to deliver the most immersive experience one can get. According to IGN.com's robust review of the fourth installment, the game features over 200 songs - making it the largest of the soundtracks yet. It is no doubt that the radio stations (and especially their respective DJs) have a big part in making the "Grand Theft Auto" experience what it was so in honor of today's release (and what is soon to be tons of new records for Rockstar Games), lets take a look back on the best from each of the games in the "Grand Theft Auto III" trilogy.
Grand Theft Auto III
"Grand Theft Auto III" was the start of it all - spoof advertising, hilarious and authentic DJ chatter and music that was great to drive around Liberty City to. The game featured nine stations in total, representing what would be the trend to come in all the following GTA games. The nine stations each station represented a different style of music and one talk radio station hosted by the renowned writer, producer and talk show host Lazlow Jones. Featured artists included Paul Engemann, Royce Da 5'9" and Scientist.
Best Stations and DJs: Chatterbox hosted by Lazlow, Game Radio FM hosted by DJ Stretch Armstrong and Lord Sear, Flashback 95.6 hosted by Toni.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
"Vice City" set unprecedented boundaries for soundtracks in video games. Arguably (and there's a lot to back it) the best licensed soundtrack in gaming history, and the best of the series, GTA: VC dropped the gamer right in the middle of 1980s greatness. From the commercials hyping the game up playing A Flock of Seagulls "I Ran (So Far Away)" to Rockstar-created glam-rock band Lovefist, and the hilarious Vice City Public Radio to the robust selection of 80s genres, there is just nothing bad one can say about the selection.
No matter if you love the games or hate them, the one thing that they always get right (and it's certainly not the targeting system) is the use of sound to deliver the most immersive experience one can get. According to IGN.com's robust review of the fourth installment, the game features over 200 songs - making it the largest of the soundtracks yet. It is no doubt that the radio stations (and especially their respective DJs) have a big part in making the "Grand Theft Auto" experience what it was so in honor of today's release (and what is soon to be tons of new records for Rockstar Games), lets take a look back on the best from each of the games in the "Grand Theft Auto III" trilogy.
Grand Theft Auto III
"Grand Theft Auto III" was the start of it all - spoof advertising, hilarious and authentic DJ chatter and music that was great to drive around Liberty City to. The game featured nine stations in total, representing what would be the trend to come in all the following GTA games. The nine stations each station represented a different style of music and one talk radio station hosted by the renowned writer, producer and talk show host Lazlow Jones. Featured artists included Paul Engemann, Royce Da 5'9" and Scientist.
Best Stations and DJs: Chatterbox hosted by Lazlow, Game Radio FM hosted by DJ Stretch Armstrong and Lord Sear, Flashback 95.6 hosted by Toni.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
"Vice City" set unprecedented boundaries for soundtracks in video games. Arguably (and there's a lot to back it) the best licensed soundtrack in gaming history, and the best of the series, GTA: VC dropped the gamer right in the middle of 1980s greatness. From the commercials hyping the game up playing A Flock of Seagulls "I Ran (So Far Away)" to Rockstar-created glam-rock band Lovefist, and the hilarious Vice City Public Radio to the robust selection of 80s genres, there is just nothing bad one can say about the selection.
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