It’s onerous to speak about fashionable video video games with out mentioning the affect of Grand Theft Auto. Rockstar’s iconic crime franchise has grown from a controversial PlayStation 1 traditional to a universally recognised cultural behemoth, with its most up-to-date entry, Grand Theft Auto 5, turning into the third best-selling recreation of all time.
Nonetheless, the collection didn’t develop right into a landmark success in a single day. Rockstar has been slowly constructing its iconic crime collection for over 20 years, creating hyper-immersive open worlds that gamers probe for years after their launch. With over sixteen Grand Theft Auto video games dropping for the reason that franchise started in 1997, new gamers are most likely questioning the place to start out. That will help you get caught in, we’ve listed each GTA recreation in chronological order so you may plot the perfect route via the timeline of this crime-riddled world. You’ll have to wait one other yr for GTA 6, although.
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The Grand Theft Auto Video games in Order
There are a complete of 16 video games within the Grand Theft Auto collection – eleven on house consoles, one on PC and 4 on handheld gadgets. The subsequent Grand Theft Auto recreation, GTA 6, is about to launch in 2026.
Earlier than we dive into the record, it’s first value noting an vital element concerning the general continuity of Grand Theft Auto. As confirmed by Rockstar again in 2011, the GTA collection is cut up into three distinctive timelines: the 2D timeline, the 3D timeline and the HD timeline. Though occasions in these timelines is likely to be related and even similar, Rockstar doesn’t think about all of them canon to one another. As such, we’ll separate the video games into their respective universes.
Which GTA Recreation Ought to You Play First?
If you happen to’re eager to get into the Grand Theft Auto video games earlier than GTA 6 arrives, you’ll possible wish to begin with the newest within the collection: GTA 5. You possibly can definitely return to earlier video games, however GTA 5 is a masterpiece in it is personal proper and is playable just about all over the place. You can too benefit from GTA On-line for multiplayer.
Grand Theft Auto V
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The Grand Theft Auto 2D Timeline
Under, we’ll record the Grand Theft Auto video games from the 2D universe. These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961
The second enlargement launched for the unique Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 is considered one of solely two GTA releases to not hit a PlayStation console, with the DLC solely obtainable to PC gamers.
The mission pack acts as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto’s first enlargement, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969. It follows a anonymous legal rising via the ranks of the London crime households by finishing jobs for a mobster referred to as Harold Cartwright.
2. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969
The primary enlargement for the unique Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 marked the collection’ first go to to London.
The story follows a anonymous British legal who fights in opposition to varied crime syndicates whereas constructing their legend on the town’s streets. These embody Harold Cartwright’s gang, which the participant joins forces with in Grand Theft Auto: London 1961, in addition to a pair of sinister crime lords often called the Crisp Twins.
3. Grand Theft Auto
The primary entry within the mainline collection, Grand Theft Auto follows the adventures of a anonymous protagonist as they make their mark on the legal underworlds of three places: Liberty Metropolis, San Andreas and Vice Metropolis.
Set in 1997, the legal’s adventures see them full financial institution heists, assassinations and getaways, constructing their popularity whereas aiding varied sinister gangs. Alongside the way in which, they meet a number of high-ranking criminals, together with Robert Seragliano, El Burro and Uncle Fu.
4. Grand Theft Auto 2
The second mainline entry within the collection, Grand Theft Auto 2 is arguably the most important departure for the collection to this point. Shifting away from the setting of the primary GTA, it takes gamers to a nigh-on futuristic metropolis often called Wherever Metropolis, which bears no putting resemblance to every other location within the collection.
The journey follows a legal named Claude Velocity, who works with varied crime syndicates round Wherever Metropolis to generate income and earn respect. The sport’s place on the timeline is difficult, primarily as in-game references allude to it happening in each 1999 and 2013. Regardless, it’s the ultimate recreation within the 2D timeline.
The Grand Theft Auto 3D Timeline
Under, we’ll record the Grand Theft Auto video games from the 3D universe. These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales
A prequel to Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis, the PSP’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales takes place in 1984 and follows US navy soldier Victor Vance who, after being framed by his sergeant, is dishonorably discharged.
Recent out of a job, he decides to enter Vice Metropolis’s underworld, shortly turning into the top of against the law household with the assistance of his brother, Lance. The pair embark on an journey to disrupt Vice Metropolis’s crime scene, assembly and recruiting a wide range of Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis’s supporting characters alongside the way in which. By the point the sport wraps up, Vic’s story catches up with the start of Vice Metropolis.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis
The fourth mainline iteration of the collection, Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis takes place in 1986; two years after Vice Metropolis Tales. It follows Tommy Verceti, a infamous gangster from Liberty Metropolis who is shipped to Vice Metropolis to supervise the enlargement of his boss’ drug commerce after being launched from jail.
Tommy lands in sizzling water after a supposedly easy drug deal goes horribly fallacious. Dropping the medicine and cash exchanged within the deal, Tommy is given one final likelihood to make issues proper.
To redeem himself, he dives into the seedy underbelly of Vice Metropolis, allying with Lance Vance to tackle its varied crime households and discover the medicine and cash stolen from him. As he turns into a much bigger title round Vice Metropolis, he slowly creates a rising legal empire, which doesn’t go unnoticed by his former employers.
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The fifth mainline iteration of the collection, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas tells the story of Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson and the Grove Road Households.
Set in 1992, San Andreas follows CJ as he returns to Los Santos after his mom is killed in a drive-by meant to assassinate his brother. Reuniting together with his pals, household and native gang, The Grove Road Households, it doesn’t take lengthy for CJ to get caught again into the legal underworld, vowing to get revenge on the gang that murdered his mom.
Whereas CJ makes an attempt to rebuild the Grove Road gang’s former glory, it turns into clear that one thing shady is going on behind the scenes. Pursued by a crooked cop named Officer Tenpenny, CJ offers with betrayal, corrupt regulation enforcement and the varied factions vying for management of Los Santos and the neighboring cities of San Fierro and Las Venturas.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty Metropolis Tales
Set in 1998, Liberty Metropolis Tales acts as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto 3 and follows a gangster working for Salvatore Leone named Toni Cipriani. Returning to Liberty Metropolis after fleeing to Italy to flee the repercussions of assassinating a member of the mafia, Toni will get caught again in working for his former boss.
Alongside the way in which, he meets a number of high-level mafia contacts and climbs via the ranks of Sal’s gang, murdering rival crime lords and helping Leone’s makes an attempt to realize political sway with the mayor. The story concludes with Salvatore Leone’s household standing as one essentially the most highly effective crime syndicates in Liberty Metropolis, organising the occasions of Grand Theft Auto 3.
5. Grand Theft Auto Advance
Going down in 2000, Grand Theft Auto Advance was a Grand Theft Auto 3 prequel launched on the Gameboy Advance. It follows a legal named Mike as he makes an attempt to get revenge for the dying of his accomplice, Vinnie.
Deciding to go away Liberty Metropolis and discover new alternatives elsewhere, the story begins with Mike and Vinnie finishing jobs for the mafia in an try and tie up unfastened ends and fund their escape. Nonetheless, the plan falls aside when Vinnie is killed with a automotive bomb, driving Mike to seek out and kill his murderers. In pursuit of vengeance, Mike groups with varied Grand Theft Auto 3 characters, together with 8-Ball and Asuka Kasen.
6. Grand Theft Auto 3
The ultimate entry within the timeline however the first recreation of the 3D period by launch date, Grand Theft Auto 3 takes place in 2001 and follows a brand new Claude, a financial institution robber that’s shot and left for lifeless by his girlfriend, Catalina, throughout a heist.
Claude survives however is arrested and sentenced to life in jail. Nonetheless, whereas en path to jail, Claude manages to flee after the Columbian Cartel raided his convoy in quest of one other prisoner. Fleeing the scene, Claude is quickly inducted into the legal underworld of Liberty Metropolis, working with the mafia, the yakuza and varied different syndicates.
Though he rises to turn out to be one of many metropolis’s most infamous gangsters, Claude’s objective shortly turns into considered one of vengeance, as his path ultimately crosses with Catalina, organising an inevitable confrontation between the previous couple.
The Grand Theft Auto HD Timeline
Under, we’ll record the Grand Theft Auto video games from the HD universe. These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Grand Theft Auto 4
The primary recreation of the HD period, Grand Theft Auto 4 takes place in 2008 and follows an Japanese European ex-soldier named Niko Bellic as he makes his technique to Liberty Metropolis. Coming to America to reunite together with his cousin, Roman Bellic, who has allegedly discovered fortune after transferring to Liberty Metropolis, Niko is shocked to seek out Roman is definitely broke, dwelling in a cockroach-infested condominium and operating a failing enterprise.
It doesn’t take lengthy for Niko to seek out work and amass money via less-than-legal means, assembly and befriending an arms seller named Little Jacob and dealing off Roman’s money owed with a Russian mortgage shark named Vlad Glebov. Nonetheless, after discovering that Vlad has been sleeping with Roman’s girlfriend, Niko kills him, sparking a series of occasions which places him and Roman within the sights of the Russian mafia.
To outlive, Niko allies with the crime households of Liberty Metropolis, the place he turns into tangled of their politics and turns into one of many metropolis’s most feared criminals. All of the whereas, Niko has an ulterior motive, wanting to trace down and homicide a former comrade from his days within the navy that double-crossed him and his squad.
2. Grand Theft Auto: The Misplaced and The Damned
Set in the course of the occasions of Grand Theft Auto 4, The Misplaced and the Damned was GTA 4’s first enlargement. It follows Johnny Klebitz, the Vice President of a revered bike gang referred to as The Misplaced MC.
Launched from an extended stint in rehab, the story opens with The Misplaced MC’s President, Billy Gray, returning to the gang and reassuming his place as its chief. Throughout his time away, Johnny led The Misplaced MC, forming a truce with the gang’s important rivals, The Angels of Demise. As soon as reinstated, Billy and Johnny start to conflict after Billy orders The Misplaced to interrupt the truce with the Angels of Demise, beginning a ruthless gang conflict.
As the 2 gangs battle it out, Billy begins to steer The Misplaced down a self-destructive path, guiding his brothers into more and more harmful conditions. With civil conflict brewing within the group, Johnny is compelled to think about the place his loyalty lies.
3. Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Homosexual Tony
The second of GTA 4’s expansions, The Ballad of Homosexual Tony additionally takes place alongside the core Grand Theft Auto marketing campaign. The story follows bodyguard Luis Lopez as he tries to avoid wasting the lifetime of his boss and legendary nightclub proprietor, Tony Prince.
Though Tony is a fixture of Liberty Metropolis’s nightlife scene, his companies are failing. To make issues worse, he’s additionally in debt to the Ancelotti crime household, who’re prepared to gather what they’re owed. Swearing to assist his boss, Luis tries to sq. Tony’s money owed, serving to out his varied legal acquaintances.
All of it crescendos with a dangerous plan from Tony, who decides to amass tens of millions of {dollars} value of smuggled diamonds and alternate them in a deal. Nonetheless, the plan falls aside, main Luis on a wild goose chase round Liberty Metropolis in an try and retrieve the diamonds and preserve Tony’s money owed from catching up with him.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Going down in 2009, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars tells the story of Huang Lee, the son of a murdered Triad chief who’s tasked with flying to Liberty Metropolis to ship an historic sword to his uncle.
After arriving in Liberty Metropolis, Huang is ambushed, together with his attackers stealing the sword and taking pictures Huang. Believing him lifeless, they dump his physique, permitting Huang to flee alive. Reuniting together with his uncle, Huang embarks on an journey to trace down the sword and ship it again to the Triads. Alongside the way in which, he works with varied gangs and the FIB, studying that the sword’s theft might have been an inside job.
5. Grand Theft Auto On-line
Though it’s tough to evaluate the place precisely it falls on the timeline, Grand Theft Auto On-line begins shortly earlier than Grand Theft Auto 5 and has, over the course of ten years of updates, shifted to a time period lengthy after the sport’s important marketing campaign.
The core story follows a player-created legal that heads to Los Santos to seek out fortune, popularity and fame, creating factions, shopping for property and participating in legal ventures. The story has developed over time, with one of many newest updates revisiting the character of Franklin years after the occasions of Grand Theft Auto V, as he duties the participant with serving to him in his enterprise ventures.
6. Grand Theft Auto 5
Set in 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 follows the story of three criminals: Franklin, Michael and Trevor. After staging his dying throughout a financial institution theft within the small city of North Yankton, Michael Townley enters a witness safety programme, transferring to the sunny metropolis of Los Santos to reside a lifetime of luxurious in a large mansion together with his household.
Nonetheless, he’s lured out of retirement when he meets Franklin Clinton, an bold small-time legal despatched to repossess Michael’s son’s automotive. Forming a friendship, Michael begins to mentor Franklin, ultimately main the pair to rob a jewellery retailer to repay a neighborhood crime lord. Nonetheless, the act doesn’t go unnoticed.
On the outskirts of Los Santos, Michael’s former good friend and legal affiliate, Trevor Phillips, watches a clip of the heist on the information. Realizing that his seemingly lifeless accomplice remains to be alive in Los Santos, Trevor heads to the town, becoming a member of Michael and Franklin to stage varied elaborate heists. Nonetheless, Trevor’s animosity in the direction of Michael’s betrayal begins to drive a wedge between the group, as tensions rise and the reality behind the pair’s previous involves gentle.
Each GTA Recreation in Launch Order
- Grand Theft Auto (1997)
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 (1999)
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 (1999)
- Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
- Grand Theft Auto 3 (2000)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis (2002)
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
- Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty Metropolis Tales (2005)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales (2006)
- Grand Theft Auto 4 (2008)
- Grand Theft Auto: The Misplaced and The Damned (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Homosexual Tony (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto On-line (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto 6 (2026)
When Are We Getting GTA 6?
Whereas Take-Two Interactive initially introduced a fall 2025 launch window, the newest delay information shifted GTA 6’s launch date to Might 26, 2026. In response to the sport’s reveal trailer, the brand new Grand Theft Auto might be set in fictionalized Florida (together with Vice Metropolis) with two legal protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
A second trailer (which Rockstar referred to as the “greatest video launch of all time”) options a mixture of cinematics and gameplay. We have damaged down tons of particulars within the new trailer, together with each noteworthy character and what the discharge may imply for the way forward for recreation graphics. This can be one of many greatest recreation releases to this point, and we’re all hoping it is definitely worth the wait.
