"18-in, 40cc gas chain saw. Automatic chain tensioning, chain brake cuts through bone. Includes case and extra chain." -Vice City Bureau of Investigation description.
The Chainsaw is a portable mechanized saw commonly used as a tool for cutting down trees. Due to its intimidating noise and potential for mutilation, it is frequently employed as a weapon in pop culture, including in horror movies such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, violent crime films such as Scarface, and videogames such as Doom, Gear of War, and the Resident Evil game series.
Revving a chainsaw in public will cause pedestrians to panic, and, if a police officer is nearby the player will gain a one-star Wanted level, regardless of whether the player harms anyone in the process, with the exception of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
The chainsaw can easily remove parts such as hoods, bumpers and even doors from vehicles, however its blows glance off vehicles' main chassis, thus causing only superficial damage. Strangely, chainsaws cannot saw off locked car doors.
In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City drops of blood can be seen spattered at the screen when the player successfully attacks a target (only if "Trails" are turned on in the display settings; the same goes for water droplets on the screen).
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas the player cannot jump up or over obstacles with the chainsaw equipped. As such, it is unsuitable for attacking fleeing targets.
In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, pressing "square" while holding the chainsaw will make Victor Vance swing it; the animation resembles that of the Katana, and the chainsaw makes the same sound upon striking an opponent.
In Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars you can hijack cars in front of police by using the chainsaw on the car. When the passengers walk out, take the car without any worry of alerting the police, but be careful of accidentally killing the escaping passengers.