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Grand Theft Auto Games in Order
Every mainline Grand Theft Auto game in release order, from the 1997 top-down original to GTA V. Release order is the way to follow the series because the games split across two separate continuities.
Grand Theft Auto Games in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
Grand Theft Auto is best played in release order, and that is the order this list defaults to. Unlike a tightly serialized franchise, GTA does not tell one continuous story across its games. Each mainline title is its own self-contained crime saga with its own protagonist and city, so you can start almost anywhere. Release order simply lets you watch the series evolve from the chaotic top-down original into the sprawling open worlds that defined modern gaming.
The crucial thing to understand is that the games sit in two separate continuities. The "3D universe" covers Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas, set in a shared stylized version of America during the 1980s through early 2000s. The "HD universe" begins with Grand Theft Auto IV and continues with Grand Theft Auto V, rebooting the same locations with grittier tone and modern tech. The two universes reuse brand names, radio stations, and cities like Liberty City and Los Santos, but they are not the same world and their stories do not connect. Treat the IV-to-V jump as a fresh continuity, not a sequel to San Andreas.
The first two games, Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2, sit in an even earlier top-down era and are largely standalone curiosities today, though they establish the satirical tone everything that followed inherited. If you only want the era-defining experiences, start at III and move forward.
This page lists mainline console entries only. The handheld spin-offs and Rockstar's other open-world series, like Red Dead Redemption and Bully, sit outside this list but share the studio's DNA if you want more after finishing.
Timeline 1997โ2013
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I play Grand Theft Auto in?
Release order is the standard way: Grand Theft Auto (1997), GTA 2, III, Vice City, San Andreas, IV, then V. The games are standalone, so you can also start at III for the first era-defining 3D entry.
How many Grand Theft Auto games are there?
There are seven mainline games covered here: the original, GTA 2, III, Vice City, San Andreas, IV, and V. Rockstar has also released handheld spin-offs like Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, and Chinatown Wars, which are not on this main list.
What is the difference between the 3D universe and the HD universe?
They are two separate continuities. The 3D universe is GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas; the HD universe is GTA IV and V. They reuse city names and brands like Liberty City and Los Santos, but the stories do not connect.
Do the Grand Theft Auto games share one continuous story?
No. Each mainline game is a self-contained crime story with its own protagonist and setting. You do not need to play earlier entries to understand a later one.
When is Grand Theft Auto VI coming out?
Grand Theft Auto VI is the upcoming next mainline entry, targeted for release in 2026. It will continue the HD universe and is set in a new take on Vice City.
Which Grand Theft Auto game should I start with?
For most newcomers, Grand Theft Auto V is the most accessible and polished entry. If you want to experience the series' evolution, start at III, the title that established the modern open-world formula.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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