The Ultimate Vice City Checklist: 10 Essential Steps to Prepare for GTA 6

Brush up on RDR2 mechanics and clear your SSD storage so you're fully ready for Vice City.

A man and a woman sitting in a convertible car, with the woman holding a gun. They are looking out towards a scenic view.

Published: Oct 26, 2026, 3:37 pm Updated: Oct 26, 2026, 4:38 pm

Primary Subject: Grand Theft Auto VI
Key Update: An opinion-driven feature of 10 practical and gameplay-focused preparation steps - from clearing SSD storage to practicing RDR2 mechanics - ahead of GTA 6's release.
Status: Confirmed
Last Verified: October 26, 2026
Quick Answer: Prepare for GTA 6 by clearing at least 150GB of SSD storage, pre-loading digital files, practicing RDR2 inventory mechanics, and muting social media keywords to avoid spoilers.

We officially have less than a month until GTA 6 launches, which means you need to be prepared for the exact minute it launches.

This is the most-anticipated game of the year, and for good reason. Rockstar Games has touted that it is their most ambitious title yet, and everything from the world of Leonida to the NPCs feels larger than life. It's a game that will undoubtedly require hours of dedicated gaming.

Want to ensure the best GTA 6 launch day experience? Here are 10 things you can do to prepare.

Revisit 3D-Era Vice City

The best way to be ready for 2026 Vice City? It's by playing 2002's GTA: Vice City, obviously.

A street scene in a video game, featuring a character in a turquoise shirt standing near a green car with "Patrick's" on it, while two other characters are nearby and another character is standing by a pipe. The setting appears to be a city at night with neon lights.

Get reacquainted with the synthwave aesthetic, key landmarks, and overall vibes of Vice City by revisiting the old-but-gold game. Though GTA: Vice City is set in 1986, there will likely be some things similar in 2026. Plus, a trip down memory lane is always fun.

Practice High-Speed Driving in GTA 5

One thing I recommend doing is turning off HUD elements in GTA 5 to practice navigating with environmental landmarks, street layouts, and spatial awareness rather than a tiny mini-map.

A car driving at a traffic intersection in a city at night, with buildings and streetlights visible.

If Vice City is as dense and reactive as advertised, I want to spend some time enjoying the neon-lit streets, not gluing my eyes to a GPS at the corner of my screen.

Re-Acclimate to Red Dead 2’s Swamp Ecology

We've all heard that GTA 6 will have a robust wildlife ecosystem - and that includes alligators and other reptiles. I wouldn't be surprised if interacting with these creatures proves deadly, so it's probably a good idea to hop into Red Dead Redemption 2 and reacquaint myself with the Lemoyne and Bayou Nwa sections of the game.

Three figures wade through dark, murky water under a moonlit sky, surrounded by trees and distant lights in a misty, atmospheric setting.

I have a feeling doing so will be key to surviving Grass Rivers.

Master Two-Player Tactical Co-op Mechanics

To get into the mental mindset of Jason and Lucia's Bonnie-and-Clyde dynamic, play some choice-driven co-op games or tactical duo shooters. It's a great way to brush up on how the dual protagonist synergy works without fumbling up.

Two characters are seen in a prison environment, with a chain-link fence in the foreground and buildings in the background, alongside a group of people moving around.

Some games you can play include A Way Out and PlateUp!. If you want, you can play Split Fiction and It Takes Two with your partner so you guys can bond before GTA 6 comes out and you (or your partner - or both) inevitably sink into Vice City.

Master Weapon Wheel & Inventory Management

GTA 6 will feature the radial weapon wheel, but unlike the previous games where you could hold 50 guns in your back pocket, you'll have limited slots. You'll be able to be strapped with a gun or two, but the rest of your weapons and items will be in your vehicle or safehouse.

A weapon selection wheel from a video game, displaying various weapons and their stats.

To prepare, you can play Red Dead Redemption 2, which features a trunk/horse system and restricted inventory. If you're used to RDR2's inventory, you'll likely be ready for this GTA 6 aspect.

Clean Out Your Gaming Setup & Storage Drives

Let's be real - GTA 6 is going to be a huge game. In fact, I can already bet it will be bigger than 150GB. To prepare for that, you'd better start clearing your internal SSD space, update your console's firmware, and calibrate high-refresh-rate TV/HDR settings.

A man and a woman stand close together, with the woman holding the man's arm. The background features a city skyline and a helicopter flying above. The man has a muscular build and is holding a gun. The woman has a serious expression and is wearing hoop earrings.

I already deleted some games I haven't played in a while (mostly live-service ones, let's be real). When GTA 6 launches on November 19, I'll be ready.

Practice Helicopter & Boat Traversal Mechanics

Vice City isn't just roads - it's islands, canals, and open ocean. That means we won't just be driving cars. From what we've seen in GTA 6's marketing, we'll be driving everything from helicopters to jet skis.

A woman in a bikini sitting on the edge of a boat, while a man stands nearby, both looking at a dolphin swimming close to the boat in clear blue water.

To prepare, hop into GTA Online and run boat delivery missions around Los Santos. You can also fly choppers to make sure your flight and wave-riding instincts aren't rusty.

Block Out Your Launch Schedule (Clear the Calendar)

For many gamers, November 19 is akin to a holiday. Thousands of gamers will be locked in their consoles and exploring Vice City - despite the fact that it's a Thursday. If you want to avoid FOMO, make sure to clear your schedules ahead of GTA 6's launch.

A busy scene on the water with multiple boats, people swimming and enjoying the sun, and an American flag visible.

That means pre-ordering groceries, taking time off work, and setting boundaries with social obligations so you can play uninterrupted. Let your friends and family know that the next week (heck, maybe month) will be devoted to GTA 6.

Pre-Order the Game

If you want the full GTA 6 experience - Vintage Vice City Pack and all - then make sure you pre-order the game. Pre-ordering the game allows you to pre-load a few days in advance, which means you'll have the game ready to boot when it launches on November 19.

A man and a woman dancing closely in a vibrant, neon-lit atmosphere with a party or club setting. The woman is wearing a sparkly deep-cut dress, and the man is in a light-colored suit.

To pre-order the game, check either the official PlayStation Store or Xbox Store. You can also check physical retailers if you want the GTA 6 box, but make sure you redeem the code so you can pre-load the digital game.

There will undoubtedly be people who will get farther into the main campaign than you. To avoid potential spoilers, make sure to block certain keywords on social media to prevent seeing cutscenes, late-game twists, or easter eggs.

A person in a ski mask is giving a tattoo to another person sitting in a tattoo chair, who is looking at her phone. The setting has a colorful and artistic backdrop with tattoo supplies visible.

Some words you can block include "GTA 6," "GTA 6 leak," and "GTA 6 ending." It's better to be safe than sorry.

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