WithGrand Theft Auto 6releasing in 2026, I’ve been looking back on all the previous games, includingGrand Theft Auto 4. While I still think thatGTA 4looks horrendous for a 2008 title when compared to games from that year likeSaints Row 2, the game itself holds up in its open-world quality, story, fun missions, great DLC content, and gunplay.
As a person who has spent over450 hours 100% completing everyGTAandRed Dead Redemptiongame, there’s one other element that I really appreciate. That aspect is the infamous, iconic, and a ton of funSwing Set Glitch. The Swing Set Glitch might be the greatest video game bug of all time, and it adds stellar fun factor toGTA 4.
Grand Theft Auto 4’s Deadly Swing Sets
Essentially A GTA Car Launcher
Grand Theft Auto 4was the first Rockstar title ever to use theEuphoria physics engine, and it started with a bang. Euphoria is notorious in the Rockstar community for its wacky and hilarious bugs, butGTA 4used it best with the Swing Set Glitch.
On the first island in the game, you can spot a small park with swing sets, which is where you can perform the glitch. Get into any car and jam into the middle bar between the two swing sets. Accelerate, then reverse, and you should be flying into the air. Results may vary, but it’s extremely funtrying to get as much airtime and distance as possibleusing this glitch.
The swing sets get turned into a full-blown spring launcher like aSonicgame. Managing tocross the train tracks into the open park and survivingresults in an amazing feeling that can’t be beat inGTA.
Why The Swing Set Glitch Is The Greatest Of All Time
Still In The Air, Still Flying
Many of the most famous and iconic video game glitches are of the visual comedy variety, such as the many bugs inAssassin’s Creed Unity. However, you activate the Swing Set Glitch inGTA 4time and again, becauseit’s just that fun. Whenever I boot upGTA 4, the Swing Set Glitch is one of the first things I do, because trying to get that absurd level of distance is so enjoyable.
It’s a shame thatRockstar never brought it back as an Easter egg. There are plenty ofsecret areas inGTA 5, but not one spring launcher that takes your car going full force backwards into the air. That would have been awesome, and I’m hopingGTA 6has something similar.
With rumors about aGTA 4remaster on the way, Rockstar can’t remove this all-time great bug. A potentialGTA 4remaster alreadycan’t afford to repeat a major Rockstar mistakeby removing the online multiplayer, but removing the Swing Set Glitch would be going too far. I consider it the greatest video game glitch of all time, and it’s an iconic aspect ofGTA 4that’s core to the experience.
