So, you’re driving through the rain-slicked streets of New Bordeaux, Creedence Clearwater Revival is blaring on the radio, and you see that little blue icon on your mini-map. It’s not a weapon crate or a fuse. It’s a copy of Playboy. Most games give you feathers or glowing orbs to collect, but Mafia 3 decided to give us a history lesson wrapped in a centerfold.
Honestly, it’s one of the most immersive parts of the game. Hangar 13 didn't just throw in some generic "guy magazine" textures. They licensed actual, historical issues from the 1960s. These aren't just for show, either. You can actually open them up and read the interviews. We’re talking about real conversations with people like Stanley Kubrick and Martin Luther King Jr. It’s a weird, fascinating window into a decade that was basically changing the world every single week.
Why Mafia 3 Playboy Magazines Actually Matter
Most people just grab the magazines for the achievement or the 100% completion stat. I get it. But there’s a reason these things are tucked away in garages, back offices, and shantytowns. They ground Lincoln Clay’s story in a reality that feels lived-in. In the 1960s, Playboy was a cultural juggernaut. It was the height of the "I read it for the articles" era, and in this game, that’s actually a valid excuse.
You’ll find 50 issues scattered across the city. Each one corresponds to a real month and year, usually ranging from 1960 to 1968. It’s kinda wild to think about the level of detail here. The developers had to scrub out some of the original advertisements because of licensing—you’ll see fake brands like "Blue Suit" beer instead of the real stuff—but the core content is authentic.
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Tracking Down the Issues: A Neighborhood Breakdown
Finding every single one of the Mafia 3 Playboy magazines is a chore if you don't know where to look. They aren't all just sitting on coffee tables in the fancy parts of town. You have to get your hands dirty.
Delray Hollow and the Bayou
This is where the journey starts. In Lincoln’s home base of Delray Hollow, you’ll find the August 1964 issue sitting right in Sammy’s Bar. It’s basically the first one most players ever see. Down in the Bayou Fantom, things get a bit more rugged. You’ll find issues like June 1962 inside isolated fishing shacks and August 1968 tucked away in a hut on a lobster-claw-shaped island. If you're hunting in the Bayou, bring a boat. Walking is just asking for an alligator to ruin your day.
The Industrial Grime: River Row and Barclay Mills
River Row is a mess of warehouses and shipping docks. You’ll find the May 1963 issue in the back office of Baby Bear B.B.Q. (pro tip: don't get distracted by the food). Over in Barclay Mills, look for the January 1964 issue on a workbench inside the Truck Repair Shop. These industrial zones usually hide the mags in "Employee Only" areas, so you'll probably end up whistling a few guards over for a stealth takedown just to get your reading material.
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High Society and Gritty Streets: Downtown and French Ward
Downtown New Bordeaux feels different. It's more corporate, but the collectibles are just as hidden. The June 1967 issue is literally in a flower bed at General’s Circle. It’s like someone was reading it on their lunch break and just... left it there. In the French Ward, keep an eye out for the November 1968 issue in a random alleyway. It’s one of the later issues in the game’s timeline, and the cover art really reflects how much the aesthetic of the 60s had shifted by then.
The Most Notable Issues You Shouldn't Skip
While there are 50 to find, some are just cooler than others.
The December 1964 issue found in Downtown actually features a real interview with The Beatles. Think about that for a second. While you're out there dismantling a criminal empire, you can stop and read what Paul McCartney had to say back in the day.
Then there’s the March 1965 issue in Frisco Fields. It has a piece called "Portrait of Jenny" featuring Playmate Jennifer Jackson. It’s not just about the photos; it’s about the fact that these were the exact images people were seeing in the real 1965. It’s a time capsule.
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The Weird Discrepancy (E-E-A-T Check)
If you’re a hardcore fan of the series, you might notice something a little "off." In Mafia 2, which is set in the 1940s and 50s, you can also collect Playboy magazines. However, Playboy wasn't actually founded until 1953. This means the issues you find in the early chapters of Mafia 2 are technically "time travelers."
Hangar 13 fixed this in Mafia 3 by making sure the issues actually fit the timeline. Every magazine you pick up as Lincoln Clay would have realistically been on a newsstand at some point during his life. It’s a small detail, but for history nerds, it’s a massive improvement in "vibe" and accuracy.
How to Effectively Complete Your Collection
Don't just drive aimlessly. That’s a recipe for burnout.
- Wiretap Everything: As soon as you get the chance, start placing wiretaps in the junction boxes. This reveals all the collectibles on your map within that district. It makes the hunt 100% easier.
- Check During Missions: Some magazines are inside buildings that are heavily guarded during specific story missions. While you're in there popping heads, take five seconds to scan the desks. It’s way easier to grab them while the doors are already open.
- The "Definitive Edition" Perk: If you’re playing the Definitive Edition, the locations haven't changed, but the graphics have. The textures on the magazine covers are much sharper, making the "read" feature actually usable without squinting at your screen.
What to Do Once You Have Them All
Collecting all 50 won't give you a secret weapon or a golden car. You get the "Oscars Tipsy" trophy (or achievement), and more importantly, you get the satisfaction of knowing you’ve seen everything the game’s version of 1968 has to offer.
The real value is in the Gallery menu. You can go back and flip through the pages at any time. It’s a strange, digital museum of mid-century Americana. If you’re looking for a next step, start by clearing out the junction boxes in Delray Hollow and River Row. Those are the easiest districts to "green" early on, and you’ll knock out nearly a dozen magazines before the story even really heats up. Go get 'em.