All GTA games in chronological order: Every Grand Theft Auto

Throughout the history of video games, the Grand Theft Auto franchise has undeniably stirred controversy. Nevertheless, its influence on the gaming industry cannot be ignored. To honor its impressive legacy, we present the comprehensive compilation of all GTA games, arranged chronologically according to their release dates.

Ever since its introduction in 1997, Grand Theft Auto has mesmerized gamers globally. Created by Rockstar Games, this game series has completely transformed the concept of open-world gameplay, seamlessly blending unrestricted exploration with criminal activities within vast city settings.

Fans eagerly await the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 because the franchise has consistently surpassed expectations, evolving from a top-down perspective to visually stunning 3D environments seen in recent titles like GTA V.

As we anticipate the upcoming announcement, let’s embark on a nostalgic journey through the timeline of every GTA game.

GTA games timeline

Grand Theft Auto: London in 1961
Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969.
The title of the video game is “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.”
The title of the video game is “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.”
The game title is “San Andreas: Grand Theft Auto.”
Grand Theft Auto
Liberty City Stories: The Grand Theft Auto Experience
Grand Theft Auto Advance
Grand Theft Auto 3
Grand Theft Auto IV, along with its expansions The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony.
The game title is “Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.”
Grand Theft Auto 2
Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto (1997)

It all began with Grand Theft Auto in 1997.

The inception of it all took place on November 28, 1997, laying the foundation for a tremendously triumphant series that would follow.

The aim was to enable players to choose from a variety of characters, embark on a series of organized missions, amass numerous points, and create havoc in the process.

Although the game didn’t receive high praise from critics, it managed to sell over a million copies, indicating a significant level of interest in this type of entertainment.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 (1999)

London 1961, an expansion to the first GTA, was released on March 31, 1999, exclusively for PC players.

The download pack for PC players was a ‘freeware’ version with significantly less content compared to the fully-fledged console expansion.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 (1999)

Released on April 30, 1999, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 was primarily a reimagining of the original game, meticulously tailored to reflect the vibrant spirit of London, England. While it received a blend of reviews, the game managed to captivate existing fans and entice a fresh wave of enthusiasts.

Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)

GTA II was released on October 22, 1999, for PS2 and Xbox users. While the game showcased an improved story, it was hindered by its overall lack of polish and absence of significant graphical enhancements.

Rockstar introduced a new save system and added extra side missions to enhance the gameplay, but it seemed like GTA required a significant breakthrough to truly attain success.

Grand Theft Auto III (2001)

GTA 3 took the series in a bold new direction.

Enter GTA III. Despite being undervalued by many even today, it is difficult to measure the immense impact that GTA has had on the gaming industry since October 22, 2001.

Departing from the eagle-eyed viewpoint and predominantly linear structure of its predecessors, GTA III disregarded conventional norms and presented an expansive 3D sandbox teeming with a multitude of collectibles, missions, side missions, enjoyable activities, and an abundance of replay value.

It ultimately gained recognition from critics, becoming the top-selling game in the US for 2001, and is arguably considered the most significant GTA game ever created.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

Rockstar, unwilling to settle for past achievements, promptly seized the opportunity to leverage their recent triumph by launching Vice City just one year after on October 29, 2002.

In Vice City, get ready for an even grander and more intense experience as Rampages, Stunt Jumps, Hidden Packages, and numerous other thrilling features make a triumphant return in a bigger and more exhilarating fashion.

In addition to that, significant additions were made, with the inclusion of a talkative protagonist. GTA III’s silent Claude was easily overshadowed by the expressive Tommy Vercetti, brilliantly voiced by Ray Liotta, the renowned star of Goodfellas.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

San Andreas is still a fan favorite to this day.

On October 26, 2004, the world witnessed the thrilling conclusion of an unforgettable trilogy of games for the PS2 and Xbox with the release of GTA: San Andreas.

Every installment in the franchise has attempted to surpass its predecessor, but San Andreas took it to a whole new level by incorporating nearly every conceivable activity into the game. From hitting the gym, indulging in skydiving and burglaries, attending driving schools, to even having access to jetpacks, it’s a challenge to come up with anything that San Andreas didn’t offer.

Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)

GTA Advance, a prequel to GTA III, was exclusively released on October 26, 2004, for the Game Boy Advance and Color, coinciding with the release of San Andreas.

In terms of gameplay and overall appearance, it resembled the older-style GTA games more than GTA III and subsequent releases. Consequently, it hasn’t garnered the same level of nostalgic appreciation as other versions.

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Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)

However, Liberty City Stories marked the franchise’s initial venture into Sony’s PSP console realm, debuting on October 24, 2005.

Rockstar maximized the unexpected capabilities of the portable console, leading to the sale of millions of copies. The game was reminiscent of GTA III, Vice, and San Andreas, with a compelling prequel story that resonated with players.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)

Rockstar launched Vice City Stories, another PSP GTA game, on October 31, 2006, as there were no immediate plans for a new entry in the main series.

The prequel of Vice City was a significant expansion that successfully introduced fresh content to the game and made revisiting Vice City truly worthwhile.

Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)

GTA 4 brought a level of realism not seen in the series to this point.

Rockstar made a remarkable comeback on April 29, 2008, with GTA IV, after successfully releasing three spin-offs prior.

Set in a reimagined version of Liberty City, the game centers around Niko Bellic, an immigrant from Eastern Europe. Departing from the constant hustle and bustle of San Andreas, GTA IV shifts its focus towards an intriguing storyline filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The decision proved to be a success, as the game has earned a remarkable achievement of being ranked as the second-best game of all time, according to Metacritic, boasting an impressive score of 99 out of 100.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)

In order to enhance the GTA IV universe, Rockstar made the decision to develop two additional DLCs for the game. The initial DLC, known as The Lost and Damned, was launched on February 17, 2009.

In contrast to other add-ons, The Lost and the Damned’s storyline occurs within the same timeline as GTA IV, where players may even come across an NPC named Niko Bellic.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)

On April 13, 2009, a sequel to The Lost and Damned expansion was released, titled The Ballad of Gay Tony.

The game is also based in Liberty City and features a storyline that connects with the overarching narrative of GTA IV. The protagonist is assigned the duty of assisting their close friend Tony Prince, also known as “Gay Tony.” This downloadable content (DLC) serves as an additional chapter in Liberty City’s story, providing a conclusion to GTA IV.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)

The release of Chinatown Wars on March 17, 2009, marked a significant milestone for the Grand Theft Auto franchise, as it was the first time the series made its way to the Nintendo DS.

Although the initial sales of the game were underwhelming, the addition of innovative and exclusive gameplay features turned out to be a great success. The game has become one of the highest-rated in DS history on Metacritic and was later released on other gaming platforms.

Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

GTA 5 remains of the most successful video games of all time.

Rockstar successfully appeased their fervent fanbase by releasing GTA V for purchase on September 17, 2013, following numerous DLCs and spin-offs.

The entry into the renowned franchise revolutionized the traditional approach by introducing three protagonists that players could switch between, along with the largest map in the history of GTA. Additionally, it introduced GTA Online, which provided an unlimited source of replay value.

Since their escapades in Los Santos, Trevor, Franklin, and Michael have greatly contributed to Rockstar’s astounding sales figures, with GTA V surpassing an impressive 150 million units sold worldwide. This incredible achievement solidified the game as the highest-grossing piece of media in 2018, and it continues to generate billions in revenue to this day.

The game has been relaunched for the PS4, Xbox One, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy: Definitive Edition (2021)

Rockstar Games attempted to address the fans’ longing for Grand Theft Auto VI by releasing the GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition on November 11, 2021, despite continuous pleas from the loyal fanbase.

Rockstar went beyond the typical remaster approach by providing GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas with complete visual transformations, along with enhanced gameplay and mechanics that align with contemporary gaming standards.

That completes the list of games in the GTA series, arranged in chronological order from the earliest to the latest.

If you’re looking for more information about GTA, we recommend checking out our other guides.

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