GTA V.C.S. RED BALlOONS, STUNTS, AND RAMPAGES
Red balloons
One of GTAs illustrious items are the hidden packages. In GTA: Vice City Stories, the hidden packages are red balloons, which you have to manually shoot down (R1 + DOWN). A total of 99 of these balloons are broadcast in places around the city. Some are easy to find, whereas others are not. Every one you pop is worth some cash, and for every 10 you get a powerup - often a weapon - will appear outside each of your safehouses. The powerups become better as you get nearer to the 99 mark. Some Red Balloons are too far away for your average gun to burst, so you will have to use a sniper rifle. You'll know instantly once you've burst a balloon, by the confirmationmessage "x/99 Red Balloons Burst!". "So, why 'Red Balloons'?", I hear you ask. Well it's a reference to the '80s song "99 Red Luftballons/ "99 Red Balloons", by German band Nena, which played on Wave 103, in GTA: Vice City.
It is has never been fully clear what these hidden packages actually are, but certain indications lead us to believe they are drug packages. It may be advisable for new GTA players to burst these balloons before taking on missions, as the power-ups you are rewarded with can be very handy. If you wish to complete the game 100%, then all 99 balloons must be burst. Just don't forget to save your game burstin' a few!
Red Balloon Count Reward
10 - Pistol
20 - Scorpion
30 - Stubby Shotgun
40 - Molotov Cocktails
50 - AK-47
60 - Body Armour
70 - Flamethrower
80 - Equaliser
90 - Sniper Rifle
99 - M249
Tips:
• A new feature for not losing track on what extras you have picked up and passed and which ones you haven't, has been introduced to the game. By holding down X in the pause menu map, you can choose to display exact locations on the map of the red balloons, rampages or unique stunt jumps you have found and burst/passed with are represented by icons.
• The balloons will are stuck/hidden in places where you would expect a balloon to get stuck, i.e. under a building ledge. Another common place is in the leaves of palm trees.
• If you can't burst a certain balloon, try again with a longer range weapon. Lots of red balloons need to be popped with sniper rifles.
• Bare in mind that some balloons will be above you, some on your level and some underneath you, such as beneath a bridge.
It is has never been fully clear what these hidden packages actually are, but certain indications lead us to believe they are drug packages. It may be advisable for new GTA players to burst these balloons before taking on missions, as the power-ups you are rewarded with can be very handy. If you wish to complete the game 100%, then all 99 balloons must be burst. Just don't forget to save your game burstin' a few!
Red Balloon Count Reward
10 - Pistol
20 - Scorpion
30 - Stubby Shotgun
40 - Molotov Cocktails
50 - AK-47
60 - Body Armour
70 - Flamethrower
80 - Equaliser
90 - Sniper Rifle
99 - M249
Tips:
• A new feature for not losing track on what extras you have picked up and passed and which ones you haven't, has been introduced to the game. By holding down X in the pause menu map, you can choose to display exact locations on the map of the red balloons, rampages or unique stunt jumps you have found and burst/passed with are represented by icons.
• The balloons will are stuck/hidden in places where you would expect a balloon to get stuck, i.e. under a building ledge. Another common place is in the leaves of palm trees.
• If you can't burst a certain balloon, try again with a longer range weapon. Lots of red balloons need to be popped with sniper rifles.
• Bare in mind that some balloons will be above you, some on your level and some underneath you, such as beneath a bridge.
stunts
Unique Stunt Jumps, or USJs for short, are strategically placed ramps/stair wells situated across the map. When your vehicle hits the ramp at an adequate speed, the camera view adjusts to 'cut-scene mode' and, upon successful landing, the USJ is completed, and you will be rewarded with £250. If you do not execute the jump successfully a 'Unique Stunt Failed' notice will pop-up. At this point, it is time to take a further run-up, or get a faster vehicle. There are 30 USJs in total, and they need to be completed for 100% completion.
Tips:
• A new feature for not losing track on what extras you have picked up and passed and which ones you haven't, has been introduced to the game. By holding down X in the pause menu map, you can choose to display exact locations on the map of the red balloons, rampages or unique stunt jumps you have found and burst/passed with are represented by icons.
• One jump has to be done in succession, No. 4 to No.5. You must jump onto to the building via No. 4, and stay on the building to do No.5 (on the rooftop of King Knuts). This particular jump is easiest using a sports car, like a Banshee.
• If a car doesn't do the job, use a motorbike - the PCJ-600 has always been the best for unique stunts.
• Push the analog stick forwards and backwards, if you're on a motorbike, to shift weight and gain greater speed.
• If you can't find the ramp (or whatever it is you're going to jump from), then search for a staircase as it will most likely have to be taken from a rooftop.
• There are three stunt jumps; 21, 22 and 27, which must be completed using a JetSki or a fast boat.
• Take as long a run-up as you can, even if it means starting in the middle of a the road amongst the traffic.
Rampages
Used to be known as 'Kill Frenzy', rampages have been a part of GTA since the start. Walk into one of the skull icons to start one. Rampages involve killing or destroying a set number gang members or vehicles, respectively, within a given time. There are 30 rampages in total, and they each need to be passed for 100% completion. If you fail a rampage, return to the same place to re-attempt it. When you have completed a rampage, the icon will dim indicating that it can be replayed - for cash only, and not extra percentage points.
Tips:
• A new feature for not losing track on what extras you have picked up and passed and which ones you haven't, has been introduced to the game. By holding down X in the pause menu map, you can choose to display exact locations on the map of the red balloons, rampages or unique stunt jumps you have found and burst/passed with are represented by icons.
• Bare in mind that some rampages will be above or below you - not just on your level. You will need aircraft to reach the odd few.
• If no targets are appearing around you, don't just stand in the same spot - scout around the streets until they start spawning.
• If you need to drive-by, use a motorbike as you can shoot straight ahead of you by pressing circle - this is far more convenient. Just make sure you don't get knocked off.
Tips:
• A new feature for not losing track on what extras you have picked up and passed and which ones you haven't, has been introduced to the game. By holding down X in the pause menu map, you can choose to display exact locations on the map of the red balloons, rampages or unique stunt jumps you have found and burst/passed with are represented by icons.
• Bare in mind that some rampages will be above or below you - not just on your level. You will need aircraft to reach the odd few.
• If no targets are appearing around you, don't just stand in the same spot - scout around the streets until they start spawning.
• If you need to drive-by, use a motorbike as you can shoot straight ahead of you by pressing circle - this is far more convenient. Just make sure you don't get knocked off.
Unlockables
There are stacks of things for you to 'unlock' in Vice City Stories. From new multiplayer content to weapons, and from special abilities to purchasable vehicles. This page tables some of the best things you can unlock and how to unlock them.
Outfit Unlockables:
How to Unlock Unlockable Outfit
- To re-unlock complete the mission 'Over the Top' 'Army Fatigues '
- Complete 'Conduct Unbecoming' 'Casuals'
- Build a high roller P. business site 'Leisure'
- Complete 'D.I.V.O.R.C.E.' 'Trailer Trash'
- Complete 'Havana Good Time' 'Cuban Style'
- Complete 'Brawn of the Dead' 'Pastel Suit'
- Build a high roller drug business site 'Tracksuit'
- Build a high roller robbery business site 'Hood'
- Build a high roller protection racket business site 'Hired Muscle'
- Build a high roller loan shark business site 'Repo-Man'
- Build a high roller smuggling business site 'Smuggler'
- Earn max. respect level in every type of business 'Smart Suit'
- Complete all main story missions 'Winner'
- Complete all 8 courses on 'Watersports' 'Wet Suit'