Depending on your age, you may have been in diapers when Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 1, Wild Metal, and Grand Theft Auto 2 came out. Or maybe you of age back then which means a) You are old and b) You have already played these games. Whatever the case may be, Rockstar is giving everyone the chance to re-live the past (or experience it for the first time) by giving away copies of Grand Theft Auto 1, Wild Metal, and Grand Theft Auto 2 for free!

Note to parents, guardians, etc.: These games are not for young kids.

Grand Theft Auto 1

In 1997, a band of developers that would come to be known as Rockstar North and Rockstar Games released the original Grand Theft Auto on an unsuspecting public. The groundbreaking non-linear urban crime game shook up a complacent game industry with its irreverent gameplay, humor and style – and a phenomenon was born.

To get Grand Theft Auto 1 for free, do the following:

Version being given out for free: It’s a game dummy — back then a new “version” was a new release

Supported OS: “Current Microsoft Windows platforms”

Note: Latest version of DirectX is required

Download size: 328 MB

• Visit the promotion page, enter your age and e-mail address, and hit SUBMIT:

• After hitting SUBMIT, accept the EULA:

• Check the inbox of the e-mail address you entered. Look for an e-mail from donotreply@rockstargames.com with subject of Your Rockstar Classics Download Link. In the e-mail is a link you must click on to download GTA 1:

• Once the download finishes, extract the contents of the ZIP file and install GTA 1 by double-clicking on GTAInstaller.exe. Follow on-screen instructions — it installs like any other normal program.
• After installation, before you play GTA 1, go to Start Menu -> Programs -> Rockstar Games -> GTA and run GTA Settings. Follow on-screen instructions and input GTA settings. Click Save when ready and close GTA Settings.
• Done. Now you can start playing GTA 1 — look for Grand Theft Auto in Start Menu -> Programs -> Rockstar Games -> GTA.
• Note: While in game tapping the F11 key will allow you to change screen resolution.
• Note: If your game is choppy, tap the F8 key to turn off frame limiter.
• Enjoy!

Wild Metal

Another vintage title from Rockstar North, then known as DMA Design, Wild Metal (1999) is a 3D strategic vehicular combat game set in a distant land, in which you command armed roving vehicles to disrupt dangerous automated military units that have overtaken the Tehric planetary system. While it flew under the mainstream radar when it was originally released, it was critically acclaimed for its unique yet intuitive control schemes and its massive open world to explore.

To get Wild Metal for free, do the following:

Version being given out for free: It’s a game dummy — back then a new “version” was a new release

Supported OS: “Current Microsoft Windows platforms”

Note: DirectX 8.1 or higher required

Download size: 170 MB

• Visit the promotion page, enter your age and e-mail address, and hit SUBMIT:

• After hitting SUBMIT, accept the EULA:

• Check the inbox of the e-mail address you entered. Look for an e-mail from donotreply@rockstargames.com with subject of Your Rockstar Classics Download Link. In the e-mail is a link you must click on to download Wild Metal:

• Once the download finishes, extract the contents of the ZIP file and install Wild Metal by double-clicking on WMInstaller.exe. Follow on-screen instructions — it installs like any other normal program.
• After installation, before you play Wild Metal, go to Start Menu -> Programs -> Rockstar Games -> Wild Metal Country and run AutoDetect. In AutoDetect select your render engine from under Method of Graphics Display. Select Direct3D if your graphics card supports 3D acceleration (almost all modern computers do); otherwise select DirectDraw or whatever else appears in the drop-down menu. If you are unsure if your graphics card supports 3D acceleration or not, simply select Direct3D and if the game doesn’t work come back and change it. Hit Save when you are ready and close AutoDetect.
• Done. Now you can start playing Wild Metal — look for Wild Metal Country in Start Menu -> Programs -> Rockstar Games -> Wild Metal Country.
• Note: You can change the screen resolution by going to Options from within the game.
• Enjoy!

Grand Theft Auto 2

In 1999, Rockstar Games and Rockstar North (then known as DMA Design) furthered the groundbreaking gameplay concepts established just two years prior in the original Grand Theft Auto – with the release of GTA2. GTA2 expanded on the top-down, open-ended crime world gameplay formula with a host of new features including the advent of multiple rival gangs – seven, to be exact, including the Yakuza, Scientists, Looneys, Rednecks, Zaibatsu, the Russian Mob and Hare Krishnas. Earn your respect with each gang. Reap the benefits with all manner of shady work-for-hire gigs contracted your way. And climb your way to the top of the criminal pile.

To get Grand Theft Auto 2 for free, do the following:

Version being given out for free: It’s a game dummy — back then a new “version” was a new release

Supported OS: “Current Microsoft Windows platforms”

Note: DirectX 8.1 or higher is required

Download size: 353 MB

• Visit the promotion page, enter your age and e-mail address, and hit SUBMIT:

• After hitting SUBMIT, accept the EULA:

• Check the inbox of the e-mail address you entered. Look for an e-mail from donotreply@rockstargames.com with subject of Your Rockstar Classics Download Link. In the e-mail is a link you must click on to download GTA 2:

• Once the download finishes, extract the contents of the ZIP file and install GTA 1 by double-clicking on GTA2.exe. Follow on-screen instructions — it installs like any other normal program.
•  If your game is choppy, tap the F8 key to turn off frame limiter.
• After installation, before you play GTA 2, go to Start Menu -> Programs -> Rockstar Games -> GTA2 and run AutoDetect. In AutoDetect select your render engine from under Method of Graphics Display. Select Direct3D if your graphics card supports 3D acceleration (almost all modern computers do); otherwise select DirectDraw or whatever else appears in the drop-down menu. If you are unsure if your graphics card supports 3D acceleration or not, simply select Direct3D and if the game doesn’t work come back and change it. Hit Save when you are ready and close AutoDetect.
• Done. Now you can start playing GTA 2 — look for GTA2 in Start Menu -> Programs -> Rockstar Games -> GTA2.
• Note: You can change the screen resolution by going to Options from within the game.
• Enjoy!

If you have trouble getting GTA 1, Wild Metal, or GTA 2 for free, post below and other dotTechies or I will try to help.