Tunnel Glitch - Get To Other Islands Early!

In GTA 3: The Definitive Edition, it's possible to use a glitch / exploit to gain access to other islands early. There are some benefits to this which can make the story missions slightly easier as it allows you to collect hidden packages, unlocking powerful weapons at your hideout. You can also complete Vigilante missions allowing you to unlock police bribes at your hideout, and many other side missions to earn plenty of cash at the start of the game.

Step 1: Find an Ambulance

You'll need an Ambulance for this glitch. They're one of the best vehicles in the game for climbing on top of to give you a height boost, and this will be extremely useful soon.

Step 2: Make your way to the blocked off tunnel

The tunnel can be found at the North West of Portland. Follow the main road down to the entrance where you'll see a blue wall preventing access.

Step 3: Park the Ambulance

Turn the Ambulance around then reverse it into the corner, against the wall. You might need a bit of speed to get up the rather large kerb.

Step 4: Jump on top of the Ambulance

Run and jump at the front of the Ambulance and you should quite easily be able to make it onto the hood, then jump up again and land on the roof. Because the ceiling of the tunnel is around the same height as the Ambulance roof, you'll end up sticking through the ground into the tunnel.

Step 5: Jump around!

Once you're on top of the Ambulance, you'll need to jump around back and forth until the game decides to respawn you on top of the ceiling of the tunnel. This can take a few attempts but it will usually happen within a few seconds so keep trying.

Step 6: Jump over the blue barrier

Jump up onto the higher part of the tunnel, then you'll need to jump over the top of the blue barrier.

Step 7: Run along the tunnel

Run along the tunnel and ensure you don't fall off the side. Although it might appear you're falling through, it's completely solid. It's easier to see if you stick to the side rather than the center. Eventually you'll come to an invisible wall, but you can jump on / over this the same way you got over the first blue barrier.

Step 8: Staunton Island

When you reach the fork in the tunnel, keep heading straight. This will allow you to run past the stadium and make your way towards Shoreside Vale. If you want to end up on Staunton Island, simply jump off the side of the tunnel at any point while you're under Staunton Island and you'll fall through 'blue hell' and be respawned on the road.

Step 9: Shoreside Vale

If you continue along the tunnel, past the stadium, eventually you'll reach the outskirts of Shoreside Vale. You'll be blocked by an invisible wall just under a large hill, but by this point you're close enough where jumping off the side will spawn you in Wichita Gardens. You'll fall through the ground and be respawned on foot in Shoreside Vale.

Step 10: Freedom!

Even if you've only completed the first mission in the story, you can do most of the side missions on the other islands, such as Taxi Driver, Firefighter, Paramedic and Vigilante. You can also take on the off-road checkpoint missions, Toyz RC missions, unique jumps, rampages, collect hidden packages and work on completing the Import/Export garage vehicles. If you head to the safehouses on each island, you'll even be able to store vehicles in their garages and save your game!

Abusing this glitch this allows you to start the main story with the vast majority of the side content already completed, providing benefits like free weapons and ammo at your safehouse, police bribes to lose your wanted level and plenty of cash, all without using a single cheat code!

You'll respawn back at Portland hospital if you die, but if you want to get back without dying, find a boat or learn to fly the Dodo which you'll find at the airport in Shoreside Vale.