Secrets & Easter Eggs

Scarface · Miami Vice · Hidden Rooms · Glitches

Vice City is one of the most reference-dense games ever made. From Scarface homages to Miami Vice tributes, the city is packed with secrets, hidden details, and useful exploits that reward exploration.

Scarface References

Vercetti Estate

Tommy’s mansion on Starfish Island is directly inspired by Tony Montana’s estate in Scarface (1983). The grand staircase, the office overlooking the bay, and the overall layout mirror the film’s iconic mansion.

Tip: Explore the mansion after acquiring it — the office even has a similar desk-and-window setup to the movie.

Chainsaw Bathroom

Room 302 of the Ocean View Hotel contains a bloodstained bathroom with a chainsaw pickup — a direct reference to Scarface’s infamous chainsaw torture scene.

Tip: The chainsaw is a usable weapon. Pick it up during the “In the Beginning…” mission when you first visit the hotel.

Final Mission Parallels

“Keep Your Friends Close…” mirrors Scarface’s ending: an army of goons attacks the mansion. But unlike Tony Montana, Tommy survives the siege.

Tip: The weapon pickups in the office during the finale — including the M4 and health — parallel Tony’s “Say hello to my little friend” last stand.

Mr. Vercetti Suit

The Mr. Vercetti outfit strongly resembles Tony Montana’s signature dark suit with red shirt.

Tip: Unlock by completing “Keep Your Friends Close…” or purchasing the Pole Position Club.

“The World Is Yours”

The game’s tagline and overall theme echo the famous inscription on Tony Montana’s statue in Scarface: “The World Is Yours.”

Tip: Look for similar gold-font statues and fountain decorations around Starfish Island mansions.

Miami Vice References

VCPD Cheetah

The undercover police car that chases you at 3+ wanted stars resembles the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa driven by Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice.

Tip: Steal one by getting 3+ stars and baiting the undercover cops. Park it in your garage.

Philip Michael Thomas

Lance Vance is voiced by Philip Michael Thomas, who played Ricardo Tubbs in Miami Vice.

Tip: Listen for Lance’s voice lines — Thomas’s distinctive delivery is unmistakable if you’ve seen the show.

Crockett’s Theme

The radio station Emotion 98.3 features “Crockett’s Theme” by Jan Hammer, the iconic instrumental from the Miami Vice soundtrack.

Tip: Tune to Emotion 98.3 on the radio in any vehicle to hear it.

Crockett & Tubbs Lookalikes

The two undercover police officers at 3+ stars physically resemble Crockett and Tubbs — pastel suits, slicked-back hair, and a Ferrari.

Tip: Get a 3-star wanted level and look at the undercover officers up close.

Pop Culture & Game References

Autocide Targets

The pay phone mission “Autocide” features targets that are lookalikes of famous video game characters — including caricatures of Duke Nukem, Crash Bandicoot, and Sonic’s Knuckles.

Tip: Take the mission and examine each target’s appearance closely.

Moon Shooting

Shoot the moon with a sniper rifle — it changes size. Each shot toggles between large and small moon.

Tip: Get a sniper rifle and aim at the moon from anywhere in Vice City at night.

Tommy’s Cigarette

Enter the cheat CERTAINDEATH to make Tommy smoke a cigarette. Not available in the Definitive Edition.

Tip: PC exclusive. The animation is purely cosmetic and lasts a few seconds.

Love Fist — Spinal Tap

The fictional band Love Fist is a parody of 80s hair metal bands, drawing heavily from Spinal Tap and Motley Crue.

Tip: Complete their mission chain to unlock their music on V-Rock radio.

Useful Exploits & Glitches

Cone Crazy Money Exploit

Repeat the Cone Crazy checkpoint mission at the Malibu Club. The cash reward DOUBLES every replay — up to tens of thousands per run. Since Vice City has no money cheat, this is the best early-game money method.

Tip: Start the mission, win, then immediately restart. By the 10th replay you can earn over $10,000 in 30 seconds.

Pier Glitch — Early Island Access

Drive a PCJ-600 off the Ocean Beach pier at the right angle to land on the mainland island before the bridges open. Lets you access the west island early.

Tip: Approach the pier end at full speed on the PCJ-600. Jump at the very edge and aim for the beach on the far side.

Police Bribe Farming

Police bribe star pickups permanently lower your wanted level by one star. They respawn, making them useful for extended mayhem.

Tip: Learn bribe locations near your safehouses. Grab one after each crime spree to reset wanted level.

Duplicate Vehicle Exploit

Park a vehicle in your garage, start a mission that provides the same vehicle type, then fail the mission. The garage vehicle may duplicate.

Tip: Works best with unique vehicles like the Rhino tank. Save before attempting.

Rewards & Progressive Unlocks

Hidden Package Rewards

Collecting Hidden Packages unlocks weapons at the Ocean Beach safehouse. See the milestone table: 10 = Armor, 20 = Chainsaw, 30 = Python, 40 = Flamethrower, 50 = Sniper, 60 = M4, 70 = Rocket Launcher, 90 = Rhino, 100 = Hunter.

Tip: Collect packages early — having free weapons at your hideout saves money and time.

Outfit Unlocks

Various story missions and side activities unlock outfits: Street (default), Soiree (The Party), Coveralls (Riot), Country Club (Four Iron), Little Havana Gang (Two Bit Hit), Mr. Vercetti (Cop Land), Franky (100% completion).

Tip: Change outfits at any safehouse wardrobe or the Vercetti Estate changing room.