Forget Vice City, This Classic Gem is the Only Game You Need to Play Before GTA 6 Releases

A new year has begun, and with it comes a calendar already packed with exciting game releases. The 2026 lineup is shaping up to be incredibly strong, and one of the most-anticipated games of the past few years is set to make its long-awaited debut: Grand Theft Auto 6. The hype surrounding Rockstar’s next game has reached a fever pitch, and while Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to arrive this year, there is also a lot of caution surrounding the title. GTA 6 has already been delayed twice, and a third one isn’t completely off the table. Regardless, whether it launches this year or the next, there is going to be plenty of time to prepare for its release.

With GTA 6 marking the franchise’s return to Vice City, plenty of fans may be tempted to jump back into GTA: Vice City and GTA: Vice City Stories, but there is actually a classic gem that might be a much better option to take on as an appetizer; and it isn’t even made by Rockstar. If there isn’t another GTA 6 delay, gamers have November to look forward to, and the 2012 indie hit Hotline Miami might be the perfect way to prep for a fresh version of Rockstar’s Miami-inspired crime-filled world.

Hotline Miami Brings a 1980s World of Crime and Violence Into a Top-Down Experience

Image via Dennaton Games

A top-down shooter may cause some GTA fans to be skeptical, but for those who have been with the franchise since the beginning, it could feel like a thrilling return to form. The early days of GTA were defined by its top-down gameplay, and while it’s evolved to be more well-known as a third-person shooter, Hotline Miami takes the original formula and brings it into a new setting fueled by violence and trippy visuals. The GTA 6 map is expected to be huge, as it explores both the urban areas of Vice City and the rural outskirts, and while it isn’t an exact replica of Miami and the greater state of Florida, the inspiration is crystal clear. Hotline Miami uses the city as its centerpiece in a way that pays homage to 80s action movies, similar to GTA: Vice City, but with a more stylistic perspective. Lurking through corridors and gunning down mafia members looks incredibly cool with a top-down view, and it’s a great way for GTA fans to experience this city in a fresh light.

Every Top-Down GTA Game

Grand Theft Auto
GTA: London 1969
GTA: London 1961
Grand Theft Auto 2
Grand Theft Auto Advance
GTA: Chinatown Wars

Hotline Miami’s Eye-Catching Aesthetic and Gameplay Still Hold Up

For those who are unfamiliar with Hotline Miami or simply haven’t gotten around to giving the indie title a try, in addition to its great gameplay lies an unforgettable aesthetic drenched in 80s nostalgia. The layouts of every level are fairly simple and straightforward, but the intense pops of color featured throughout the story balance out the setting. Everything is covered in neon and blood, and as players dive deeper into the gameplay, combat becomes more inventive and chaotic. From classic options like melee and guns to utilizing doors to knock out enemies and even using them as human shields, Hotline Miami‘s gameplay really embraces its B-movie aesthetic. It’s hard to find games like GTA, and while Hotline Miami definitely feels more like the franchise’s early days than the majority of its 21st-century offerings, it still captures the same spirit of a story drenched in crime and doing what’s necessary to succeed in a mission.

Hotline Miami was developed by duo Jonatan Soderstrom and Dennis Wedin over the course of nine months under the name Dennaton Games.

A Crime Story With a Hint of Mind-Bending Surrealist Horror

Hotline Miami definitely isn’t a full-blown horror game, but there are touches of psychological horror thrown into the mix, adding an extra edge to the game. As the story unfolds, protagonist Jacket’s perception of reality begins to unravel. Even now, it’s a choice that brings an unnerving quality to everything. Of course, the amount of bloodshed is unnerving enough, but Jacket’s seemingly failing mental state really adds to the disturbing nature of the game. Finding games to play before GTA 6 presents plenty of options, but for those in search of something darker than the Rockstar franchise’s usual tone, Hotline Miami‘s dip into surrealism blends a familiar premise with something completely unexpected and disturbing.

Honorable Mention: Hotline Miami’s Music is the Game’s Cornerstone

Music can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to selling a game, but it’s an essential part of bringing a project’s world to life, and Hotline Miami absolutely knocks it out of the park with its soundtrack. The heavy synths and programmed drums quickly make one feel like being in the middle of an 80s action movie shootout. So, for the gamers who love looking forward to discovering new music, Hotline Miami is a game that needs to be experienced. Even today, it still has one of the strongest soundtracks around. Music is an important piece of each GTA entry’s world, and Hotline Miami takes the same approach. It’s already clear that GTA 6‘s music will play a major role in the story, and Hotline Miami‘s heart-pumping soundtrack could be a good way to remind oneself how important a game’s soundtrack is to making a world believable and immersive.

Hotline Miami is More Than Just a Retro-Fueled Killing Spree

Spoilers ahead for Hotline Miami‘s story.

It’s no secret that Hotline Miami is an incredibly violent game, but it doesn’t revel in blood and crime. Instead, many have seen it as a critique of violence and the emptiness of killing. Ultimately, Jacket’s efforts are really for nothing, driving home the message that embracing violence doesn’t lead anywhere. It’s a dark satire, and GTA is no stranger to that kind of social commentary. The overall GTA 6 story is a mystery at the moment, but the trailers have already made it clear that the franchise’s special brand of satire will be back in full swing.

Hotline Miami may not be fully reminiscent of GTA, but it definitely has a shared spirit. It’s a darker take on the Rockstar series’ signature themes, and that not only makes it unique, but completely unforgettable. As the year continues, there are bound to be more GTA 6 rumors, and only time will tell which ones are true or not. Until then, though, Hotline Miami remains a fantastic crime story that raises important questions about violence and blindly following a protagonist’s lead.