As a person who grew up in the early 1980's AND in south Florida where this game takes place, I have to say, this game holds a special place in my heart.
Not only is a Grand Theft Auto game, but it's set in a time period that was amazing for this sort of story.
Set during the era of the Tv show "Miami Vice", an era of pink shirts with white jackets, sports cars crusing the beach front while rock stars and mafia movers and shakers snorted coke off a bikini clad babe. What a time to be alive and this captures some of that feeling.

You play as a mafia low rung enforcer whose job is to go down south to Vice City (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Florida) and start some money making opprotunities (read: drugs, prostituion, etc).
However, you get double crossed during a big drug deal and you start the game trying to find out who crashed your deal and stole all your money and drugs.

While the games graphics don't hold a candle to today's Grand Theft Auto games, the actual storyline and gameplay are still top notch.

If you have ever enjoyed a game in the GTA series, or have a love the 80's, then this game is a no brainer.