In one of the more bizarre ways video game sales figures have ever surfaced, Take-Two Interactive has revealed that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories has surpassed 7 million copies sold worldwide.
The updated number emerged not from a celebratory earnings call or anniversary announcement, but from a legal filing. Take-Two is opposing a trademark application for “Vice City Subs” filed by DT Global Investment Holdings for a sandwich and/or restaurant business. In their opposition documents, the company’s lawyers cited the massive success of the Vice City brand – including specific sales data for both GTA Vice City and its spin-off.
According to the filing (first reported by outlets like Game File and RockstarINTEL), GTA: Vice City Stories has moved more than 7 million units since its launch in 2006. This marks a substantial increase from the last official figure shared by Take-Two back in March 2008, when the game stood at 4.5 million copies sold. That means the PSP/PS2 title has quietly sold an additional 2.5 million copies over the past 18 years.
A Solid Hit for a Spin-Off
For context, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories launched as a PlayStation Portable exclusive on October 31, 2006, with a PlayStation 2 port following in March 2007. Developed primarily by Rockstar Leeds, it serves as a prequel to 2002’s GTA Vice City, following protagonist Victor Vance in 1984 Vice City.
While not part of the main numbered series, Vice City Stories delivered the classic open-world GTA formula with new storylines, characters, and the signature 1980s Miami-inspired satire. It earned strong reviews and became one of the better-received PSP titles of its era.
Hitting 7 million copies is particularly impressive for a game that started life on a handheld platform. For comparison, the original GTA Vice City has sold over 17 million (or 17.5 million according to older filings), while the entire Grand Theft Auto series has moved more than 465 million copies worldwide – with GTA V alone accounting for nearly half that total.
Why Now?
The revelation comes as Vice City Stories nears its 20th anniversary in 2026. The game has never received an official modern port to PC or current-gen consoles, though dedicated modders are actively working on fan-made PC versions to celebrate the milestone.
Take-Two’s aggressive defense of the “Vice City” trademark isn’t surprising. The company has long protected its intellectual property vigorously, and with GTA VI widely expected to return to Vice City, maintaining clear ownership of the name and setting is crucial for future marketing and merchandise.
Legacy of Vice City
The steady sales of Vice City Stories demonstrate the enduring popularity of the Vice City universe. Even two decades later, players are still returning to the neon-drenched streets of the 1980s through original hardware, emulators, or the PS2 port.
As Rockstar and Take-Two gear up for whatever comes next in the GTA franchise, these numbers serve as a reminder that even the “smaller” entries have contributed significantly to one of gaming’s most successful and culturally impactful series.
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