Well this is something of a pivotal day in the history of Android and mobile phone development in general. Rockstar Games has published a version of Grand Theft Auto III for phones running Google’s OS, with the game now available for download in return for approximately £3.23.
That’s the greatest game of a generation, for the price of a high-end sandwich, available on your mobile telephone. We would appear to have woken up in an unrecognisable futuristic world where anything is possible.
There’s a comment beneath the app’s listing saying compatibility is “Coming soon to Samsung Galaxy Nexus” – and we’ve previously put the official list of supported devices online here. And GTA III is on the Android market here. We keep F5-ing that listing to make sure it’s actually real.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
MarkG
/ December 15, 2011Compatibility is MUCH bigger than claimed. No problems buying it for my SE Arc S
Gary_C
/ December 15, 2011I did notice it seems to be compatible with every phone I’ve used, apart from the HTC Sensation for some reason.
Does it run on the S?
MarkG
/ December 15, 2011How does the 15 minute refund policy work, if you have a 800MB download over 3G before you can play it?
Mines been going for an hour now off and on.. (and annoyingly, it keeps the screen on during the download. How dumb is that…)
Tom
/ December 15, 2011The 15 minute window starts after it completes the installation of the app *from the market* on the first device it’s downloaded too.
MarkG
/ December 15, 2011That’s the problem of course, as by the time you realise it doesn’t work, the 15 minutes is well over..
(took 90 minutes from installing the app until it was ready to run here).
£3 wasted.
of course the Android marketplace said it was compatible….
Furbs
/ December 15, 2011Yup, its downloading to my Nexus now. Not convinced its going to be that playable though, I just dont see the controls working.
This is purely a “look at what my new stupidly big phone can do, arent I cool?” purchase for me.
Furbs
/ December 15, 2011Actually, ignore that, launching it gives me a “GTA 3 has stopped” message. I assume thats ICSs way of force closing.
Ste
/ December 15, 2011Not compatible with the Nexus S at the moment though. Perhaps when Galaxy Nexus compatibility comes it will be.
Harold
/ December 15, 2011Also works perfectly on my Xperia Play, using the control pad by default and everything. Initial download stuttered and wouldn’t play, but uninstalling and reinstalling (and downloading all the files again) fixed it. I also seemed to get longer than the fifteen minute window for refunds – not sure if that’s an anomaly or the start of a wonderful new refund policy that actually makes sense.
Deano
/ December 15, 2011Took a punt and grabbed it for the Desire HD..
Well blow me! Damn thing runs a treat.. This’ll keep me busy until Xmas. Now I’m looking forward to Vice City if and when they manage to roll it out!
Yak
/ December 16, 2011Same here. Never though it would work, but took a punt and it its GTA III on DHD! It let me pull the data files down over the air rather than having to seek out some WIFI. Now just need to get my fat thumbs used to using on screen controls and not keep pressing the home button!
Oliver
/ December 15, 2011I installed and initial started downloading the data but after 10 mins I cancelled it, try to refund and got the error:
Sorry it has not been possible to process your refund, please try uninstalling it later.
What a bloody scam!……however after spending 39mins downloading the data it works surprisingly well on my Desire Z! :)