Play GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas Simultaneously—Made Possible by a Modder

A modder named DryxioGTA has developed a mod that enables Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA SA) to run Grand Theft Auto III (GTA 3) and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (GTA VC) as mini-games within. According to a report by Etiido Uko of Tom’s Hardware, the mod allows the protagonist of GTA SA, CJ, to stand in front of a TV and choose to play either GTA VC or GTA 3.

Implementation of Nested Structure

The functionality showcased in a video goes as follows: When CJ approaches a TV screen in the GTA SA world, a menu appears, allowing the player to launch either GTA 3 or GTA VC. Once selected, the chosen game runs directly within the TV screen. Players can toggle between controlling the outer GTA SA world and the inner mini-game using the F10 key. While controlling the mini-game, the outer GTA SA world continues to operate with NPCs moving around. Similarly, when the player returns to GTA SA, the inner game remains active on the TV screen.

Furthermore, DryxioGTA has also released a mod that enables players to launch GTA VC from within GTA 3 itself. This creates a triple-nested structure where GTA 3 can be launched from GTA SA, and then GTA VC can be launched from within GTA 3. The technical feat of running all three games simultaneously is a notable achievement.

Technical Background and Operating Environment

This mod has been tested on a Windows virtual machine running on macOS. GTA SA, an open-world game originally released for PC in 2005, has been the foundation for countless mods over the past two decades. This mod is a continuation of that legacy.

The GTA modding community is known for its creativity in pushing the limits of the game engine. What sets this mod apart is its ability to run multiple game instances on a single machine, dynamically switching inputs between them. Usually, the rendering engine of GTA SA can only handle one game at a time. However, this mod likely launches external processes for the other games and maps their visuals as textures onto the TV screen within GTA SA’s world.

Anticipation for GTA 6 and Revival of

Modding Culture

The latest installment in the GTA series, GTA 6, is slated for release on consoles on November 19, 2026, following multiple delays. This announcement has reignited interest in earlier GTA titles. In anticipation of GTA 6’s release, modders are exploring new possibilities within existing titles, with this mod being a prime example of that trend.

The GTA SA modding scene remains vibrant, with new mods introducing innovative features being released almost weekly. The concept of “games within a game,” as demonstrated by this mod, stands as a testament to the technical prowess of the modding community, alongside role-playing servers and custom maps.

Editorial Opinion

This mod is a remarkable example of how advanced virtualization technology can be applied to a 20-year-old game engine. In the short term, it has the potential to draw attention to the modding community ahead of GTA 6’s release, possibly inspiring further experimental mods. The ability to stably run multiple game instances simultaneously on older hardware highlights the exceptional reverse engineering skills of mod developers.

From a long-term perspective, mods like this could open new doors for preserving and experiencing retro games. The ability to launch multiple titles within a single game could pioneer the integration of emulation and virtualization directly into gaming experiences. However, given the potential legal issues involving copyrights and trademarks, such innovations are likely to remain confined to the community as experimental projects rather than being commercialized.

As an editorial team, we are particularly intrigued by the technical details of this mod—specifically, how it manages to run three game instances simultaneously and dynamically switch inputs. If DryxioGTA were to release the source code or methodology, it could elevate the overall technical standards of the modding community.

References

• ” GTA 3 and Vice City are now playable inside San Andreas — a mod lets you revisit Liberty City and Vice City without leaving San Andreas ”, by Etiido Uko — Tom’s Hardware, 2026-07-18T17:48:22.000Z (ARR)
• Source URL: https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/gta-3-and-vice-city-are-now-playable-inside-san-andreas-a-mod-lets-you-revisit-liberty-city-and-vice-city-without-leaving-san-andreas