Grand Theft Auto (GTA) has earned its place as one of the most cherished franchises in gaming history. What began as a 2D top-down game underwent a transformative shift with the release of GTA 3. Although these games are not frequently recognized for their high level of difficulty, the earlier titles presented players with some notably tough missions.
Prior to GTA V, most earlier installments lacked checkpoints—excluding the final missions of GTA IV and San Andreas. Consequently, if players failed, they were required to restart the entire mission from the beginning.
This mechanic is tolerable when deaths result from minor mistakes, but earlier games also featured poorly designed AI and controls, primarily due to the technology at the time. For instance, players could neither swim nor fly in GTA 3—factors that made certain missions significantly more challenging.
For those gearing up to revisit the earlier titles before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, we present the rankings of the 10 hardest missions in GTA history.
10 No Way On The Subway (GTA IV)
Out Riding The Lost Biker Gang
Among all mission types in GTA IV, chase missions are arguably its weakest point. However, none rival the frustration of “No Way on the Subway.”The mission begins with Ray instructing Nico to confront bikers from The Lost Motorcycle Club, located on Vauxite Street in Northwood. As you pursue them, the bikers mockingly challenge you to keep up, leading to a chaotic chase through dark, winding subway tunnels filled with active trains.
The erratic driving of the bikers adds to the confusion, making it difficult to predict their movements and resulting in numerous failures until one is inevitably struck by a train.
9 Wrong Side Of The Tracks (GTA: San Andreas)
“Follow The Damn Train, CJ!”
Next on the list, “Wrong Side of the Tracks”offers a humorous yet frustrating experience. Players must assist Big Smoke in chasing a train connected to the Vagos gang. While the premise is simple, the execution is far from it. Big Smoke’s inability to shoot accurately forces players to bring him dangerously close to the targets, all while navigating the train tracks—an obstacle laden with the threat of oncoming trains.
8 Supply Lines… (GTA: San Andreas)
The One Time You Don’t Want To Help Zero
In “Supply Lines…”, players assist Zero in avenging a personal humiliation, but the vehicle of choice is an RC plane—specifically, the “Red Baron.”This mission challenges gamers with frustrating controls and a fuel limit, while the couriers you must attack are scattered across the city, making the task even more daunting. Adding to the pressure, after dispatching the couriers, you must also guide the RC plane back home, but fortunately, this mission is optional.
7 Death Row (GTA: Vice City)
Time Is Of The Essence
“Death Row”is a driving-heavy mission where Tommy must save Lance, who is held captive by enemies. The mission’s dual challenge requires swift driving to prevent Lance from losing health while simultaneously fending off enemies along the way. The added urgency of needing to bring Lance to the hospital makes this mission particularly stressful.
6 Bomb Da Base Act 2 (GTA 3)
One Shot, One Kill
The difficulty of “Bomb Da Base”is sharply contrasted between its two acts. In Act 1, the tasks are straightforward—destroy a freighter with explosives. Act 2, however, requires players to fund the explosives, then find a vantage point to execute a sniper mission against the target cartel, all while racing against the clock.
5 Robbing Uncle Sam (GTA: San Andreas)
Forklift Sucks And So Does Ryder
The frustrations peak in “Robbing Uncle Sam, ”where players encounter the infamous Ryder, whose poor AI creates additional challenges throughout the mission. Using a forklift with notoriously difficult controls, players have to load crates while simultaneously fighting off enemies to protect Ryder, complicating what could have been a relatively simple task.
4 Demolition Man (GTA: Vice City)
7 Minutes Of RC Helicopter Hell
“Demolition Man”tests players with precision control of an RC helicopter while under a time constraint. As you navigate obstacles and conflicts from construction workers and police, the challenging mechanics combined with the pressure of a timer creates an intensely frustrating experience.
3 S. A.M.(GTA 3)
Witness The True Might Of LCPD
In “S. A.M.”(Surface-to-Air Missile), players must destroy a plane carrying illegal drug shipments. This mission is unique because players can approach it in various ways, either from ground or air. The excitement comes with the challenge of mining treasure while cleverly evading police attention, for a four-star wanted level awaits once the first shot is fired.
2 Pilot School (GTA: San Andreas)
Fight Or Flight? I’ll Choose Fight Everytime
Even more daunting than “Supply Lines…” is “Pilot School.”Not only is it mandatory, but it challenges players with multiple flying tasks ranging from simple takeoffs to complex aerial maneuvers. This mission forces players to confront the notoriously finicky flight mechanics of GTA: San Andreas, delivering a uniquely frustrating experience.
1 Espresso-2-Go! (GTA 3)
You Will Need Espressos For This Mission
Finally, “Espresso-2-Go!”reigns supreme among difficult missions. This task requires players to destroy Kappa Coffee House stalls used by the Colombian Cartel as a front. What makes this mission exceptionally challenging is the absence of markers for each stall, prompting players to navigate Liberty City under an 8-minute timer while dealing with aggressive cartel members determined to thwart your efforts.
Interestingly, the mission’s initial version was so notorious for its difficulty that developers altered the enemies’ weapons from shotguns to Uzis, yet it remains one of the most challenging tasks in the series.
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