On this day in 1984, television history changed forever when Miami Vice premiered on NBC. Starring Don Johnson as James “Sonny” Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, the series ran for 5 seasons and 112 episodes, defining 80s fashion, music integration, and modern gaming aesthetics—most notably inspiring Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Beyond television, the iconic franchise spawned four official video game adaptations across different generations. Here is the complete timeline of every release, paired with a quick guide on how to play each one today.

1. Miami Vice (1986)

• Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
• Developer/Publisher: Canvas / Ocean Software
• Overview: The original adaptation. A hybrid top-down driving and side-scrolling action game where you control Crockett and Tubbs busting drug rings across Miami.

How to Play Today

• Access: Play directly in your web browser with zero installation required.
• Steps:
  1. Visit preservation archives like Internet Archive or MyAbandonware.
  2. Search for Miami Vice (1986) Commodore 64.
  3. Click “Play in Browser” to launch via embedded HTML5/Java emulators.

2. Miami Vice (1989)

• Platforms: MS-DOS (PC), Atari ST
• Publisher: Capstone Software
• Overview: A distinct PC-focused release combining investigative detective mechanics with side-scrolling combat.

How to Play Today

• Access: Instant browser execution via DOSBox wrappers.
• Steps:
  1. Go to abandonware portals such as PlayClassic.games or MyAbandonware.
  2. Locate Miami Vice (1989) MS-DOS.
  3. Launch directly inside your browser window.

3. Miami Vice (2004)

• Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC
• Developer/Publisher: Atomic Planet Entertainment / Davilex
• Overview: The first attempt to translate the classic 1980s TV series into full 3D graphics. It delivers third-person tactical shooting spread across 14 drug-busting missions.

How to Play Today

• Access: Desktop PC emulation.
• Recommended Emulator: PCSX2 (PS2)
• Steps:
  1. Download the latest stable build of PCSX2 from its official website.
  2. Configure your PS2 BIOS file inside the emulator settings.
  3. Load the game file (Miami Vice 2004 PS2 ISO) sourced from retro game archives like Vimm’s Lair or CoolROM.

4. Miami Vice: The Game (2006)

• Platforms: PlayStation Portable (PSP Exclusive)
• Developer/Publisher: Rebellion Developments / Vivendi Games
• Overview: Designed to tie in with Michael Mann’s 2006 feature film starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. Features over-the-shoulder cover mechanics, hacking minigames, and high-speed boat combat sequences.

How to Play Today

• Access: Runs smoothly on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Recommended Emulator: PPSSPP
• Steps:
  1. Download PPSSPP for free from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or official PC site.
  2. Obtain the Miami Vice: The Game PSP ISO file.
  3. Move the file to your device storage, launch PPSSPP, navigate to the folder, and run.