GTA 3 on Sega Dreamcast gets 60fps 'performance mode,' but it may not be good news for players

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) III’s Sega Dreamcast port has a new 60fps "performance mode”. However, this enhancement seems to have significantly reduced the game's visual quality and functionality. Developer Falco Girgis took to the social media platform X (earlier Twitter) to share a video to reveal this mode. The video shows that while the game achieves smoother frame rates, it suffers from issues like missing textures, non-functional vehicle animations and limited draw distances. These compromises make the game challenging to play despite the improved frame rate. The port seems to be still in development, with ongoing efforts to balance performance and visual fidelity.

Our team mad scientist, Esppiral, just added a 60fps "performance mode" toggle to our Sega Dreamcast port of Grand Theft Auto 3.... WHAT NOW, PS2 AND XBOX!?

...also, Sega 32x homebrew scene, we've given you a head start on your port of GTA3! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/DIorAXOU4y

— Falco Girgis (@falco_girgis) March 30, 2025

Captioning the post, Girgis wrote: “Our team mad scientist, Esppiral, just added a 60fps "performance mode" toggle to our Sega Dreamcast port of Grand Theft Auto 3.... WHAT NOW, PS2 AND XBOX!? ...also, Sega 32x homebrew scene, we've given you a head start on your port of GTA3! 🤣”

Answering a question in the comment section from a user about GTA 64, Girgis further added: “Yeeeees! And you guys can skip the whole initial phase where the PS2 fanboys tell you that your ROM physical media containing the assets lacks the bandwidth to handle the game, cuz it's not "da DvD stReamInG TekNoLoGy!" lmao.”

Yeeeees! And you guys can skip the whole initial phase where the PS2 fanboys tell you that your ROM physical media containing the assets lacks the bandwidth to handle the game, cuz it's not "da DvD stReamInG TekNoLoGy!" lmao.

— Falco Girgis (@falco_girgis) March 30, 2025

As per the video, this enhancement significantly improves frame rates in GTA 3 ’s Dreamcast port but results in reduced texture quality and other visual compromises. In the performance mode, the game's environment appears barren, with vehicles and buildings lacking detail, and objects popping into view abruptly, potentially hindering gameplay.

According to a report by GamerRadar, the standard mode of the port maintains impressive visual fidelity despite the performance mode having these issues. Developers of the GTA 3’s Dreamcast port are expected to address the current limitations of the performance mode, to offer both smoother frame rates along with improved visual elements.