GTAIII turns 10, coming to mobile devices

Grand Theft Auto maker Rockstar has announced a mobile version of its influential, 10-year-old sandbox adventure game Grand Theft Auto III. The 10th anniversary edition handheld version will hit "select" Apple and Android devices this autumn; these include the iPad 2, iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S2, and Asus Iconia tablet.

The full list of compatible gadgets (see below) suggests a mobile game with relatively high hardware demands. Apple iOS devices older than the iPad 2 and the new iPhone (that is, with the Apple A5 chip) will not play it.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Liberty City-set GTAIII, which launched for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, Rockstar is also peddling a $150 limited-edition Claude action figure: a 1:6 scale articulated dress-up replica of the game's protagonist, complete with Liberty City prison jumpsuit and classic ensemble (cargo pants and bomber jacket with "working zippers"). His tiny plastic arsenal comprises a baseball bat, grenades, knife, pistol, sniper rifle, and assault rifle.

GTAIII joins Max Payne as the second 10-year-old Rockstar game heading to mobile platforms in the coming weeks. In September, Rockstar announced a new version of the 2001 action shooter Max Payne with "full HD" and "customizable controls" for unspecified mobile devices.

Grand Theft Auto III-supported mobile devices:

Apple iOS devices: iPad 2, iPhone 4S

Android phones: Droid X2, HTC Evo 2, LG Optimus 2X, Samsung Galaxy S2, Motorola Atrix

Android tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1