Power-ups in the original Grand Theft Auto give a short route edge, from extra armor and lives to score multipliers and a cleared wanted level.
Category
Power-ups
Power-ups — Power-Ups entries for this section.
Armor
Limited protection for the player against gunfire. Each armor pickup contains 3 health points, allowing the player to survive three hits.
- Effect
- Limited protection for the player against gunfire. Each armor pickup contains 3 health points, allowing the player to survive three hits.
- HUD indicator
- Dedicated HUD icon
Get Outta Jail Free Card
Exempts the player from penalties imposed if the player is arrested, such as a deduction of one score multiplier and the loss of weapons. Only one can be carried at a time.
- Effect
- Exempts the player from penalties imposed if the player is arrested, such as a deduction of one score multiplier and the loss of weapons. Only one can be carried at a time.
- HUD indicator
- Dedicated HUD icon
Police Bribe
Eliminates the player's wanted level.
- Effect
- Eliminates the player's wanted level.
- HUD indicator
- None; indicated by disappearance of wanted level on HUD, if any.
Speed Up
Speeds up the movement of the player or the vehicle they are in.
- Effect
- Speeds up the movement of the player or the vehicle they are in.
- HUD indicator
- Dedicated HUD icon
Extra Life
A "1 up". Adds an additional life to the player.
- Effect
- A "1 up". Adds an additional life to the player.
- HUD indicator
- None; indicated by life counter.
Multiplier
Adds an additional point multiplier to the player.
- Effect
- Adds an additional point multiplier to the player.
- HUD indicator
- None; indicated by multiplier counter.
Information
Provides information about the city the player is in, as well as specific features in the game.
- Effect
- Provides information about the city the player is in, as well as specific features in the game.
- HUD indicator
- Game tips provided at the bottom of the screen.
Learn which pickups are spent instantly and which stay until used. Armor and Extra Life extend a run, the Bribe resets police attention, and Multipliers build value the earlier you collect them. Information appears as text hints rather than a stat change.
FAQ
Are power-ups permanent?
Some apply instantly and fade, while recovery and respect changes last for the run. Check the effect description before grabbing a temporary boost.
What helps with police pressure?
A Police Bribe clears the current wanted level, while arrest protection only matters when an arrest would otherwise cost weapons or score.
When should I take a Multiplier?
Early, when you have a long scoring route ahead, so the extra value applies to everything that follows.