Honestly, trying to piece together a list of gta games in order feels a bit like trying to navigate Los Santos at five stars with a flat tire. It’s chaotic. You’ve got handheld spin-offs that actually matter, expansion packs that feel like full games, and three entirely separate "universes" that don't talk to each other.
Rockstar Games doesn't make it easy. They don't just release 1, 2, 3 and call it a day.
If you're looking for the simple release dates, or if you're trying to play through the story chronologically before the massive November 19, 2026 launch of GTA 6, you need a roadmap. Most people forget that the series didn't start with 3D graphics. It started with a bird's-eye view and a lot of pixelated burping sounds.
The 2D Universe: Where the Chaos Began
Before we had cinematic heists, we had a top-down camera and a dream. This era is often ignored by younger fans, but it’s where the DNA of the franchise was coded.
Grand Theft Auto (1997)
The original. It was simple. You picked a character—fun fact, you could even play as a female protagonist back then like Divine or Katie—and caused enough property damage to move to the next city. It featured Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas all in one go, which is wild considering how big those places became later.
GTA: London 1969 & London 1961 (1999)
These were mission packs. They are the only games in the entire series set in a real-world city (London) rather than a fictional parody. London 1961 is actually the first game chronologically if you’re looking at the in-game calendar.
Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
Set in "Anywhere, USA," this one introduced the respect system. You’d work for the Zaibatsu or the Yakuza, and the other gangs would start shooting at you on sight. It felt futuristic but weirdly disconnected from everything else.
The 3D Universe: The PS2 Golden Era
This is where Grand Theft Auto became a household name and a parent's worst nightmare. These games share a timeline, but they aren't connected to the newer HD games like GTA 5.
The Chronological Order of the 3D Era:
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Set in 1984) – You play as Victor Vance, a soldier trying to make enough money to help his sick brother. It's a prequel that ends right where the next game begins.
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Set in 1986) – Tommy Vercetti, voiced by Ray Liotta, takes over the neon-soaked streets. It’s peak 80s nostalgia.
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Set in 1992) – CJ returns home to Los Santos. This game was massive. It had three cities, RPG elements, and a jetpack.
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Set in 1998) – Originally a PSP title, it follows Toni Cipriani. It’s basically a prequel to GTA 3.
- Grand Theft Auto Advance (Set in 2000) – A weird top-down game for the Game Boy Advance. It’s technically part of this 3D story, though it looks like the 2D games.
- Grand Theft Auto III (Set in 2001) – The game that changed everything. Claude is a silent protagonist who basically burns Liberty City to the ground.
The HD Universe: Realism and Social Satire
When the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 arrived, Rockstar hit the reset button. The 3D era characters like CJ or Tommy Vercetti don't exist here—or if they do, they’re just Easter eggs on posters.
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Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
Niko Bellic’s story is dark. It’s a cynical look at the American Dream. The physics were heavy, the driving was boat-like, and the world felt alive in a way no game had before.
The Lost and Damned & The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
These weren't just "DLC." They were full stories that interlaced with Niko’s journey. One minute you’re a biker, the next you’re a high-end bodyguard in a nightclub. They eventually got bundled as Episodes from Liberty City.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
Don't sleep on this one. It was a Nintendo DS game first, then PSP and mobile. It went back to a top-down view but used a cel-shaded style. It's one of the highest-rated games in the series for a reason.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
The juggernaut. It has been re-released on three different console generations. Michael, Franklin, and Trevor gave us a multi-protagonist system that actually worked. It’s been 12 years since this launched, which is a lifetime in gaming.
Grand Theft Auto Online (2013-Present)
Initially just the multiplayer mode of GTA 5, it became its own beast. It has its own timeline that started before the GTA 5 story but has since moved well past it into the present day.
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The Future: Grand Theft Auto VI
After years of "leaks" and speculation, we finally have the date. November 19, 2026. We’re heading back to Leonida (the GTA version of Florida) and Vice City. This will be the first time since the original 1997 game that we have a playable female protagonist, Lucia, alongside a guy named Jason. The hype is dangerous. Rockstar delayed it from 2025 to late 2026 to ensure "polish," but given their track record, it'll likely set every sales record in existence.
Why does the list of gta games in order matter so much right now?
Because of the "Universes."
A lot of people think CJ from San Andreas could show up in GTA 6. He won't. Rockstar’s Dan Houser famously clarified years ago that the 3D and HD universes are separate. You won't see characters from the PS2 era suddenly appearing in 4K realism unless they’re a brand-new version of that person. Knowing the order helps you understand which characters could actually cross over.
Final Checklist for Fans
If you want to catch up before the 2026 release, here is the most efficient way to do it without getting bogged down in every single port:
- The Classics: Play the Definitive Edition trilogy (3, Vice City, San Andreas). It has its bugs, but it’s the easiest way to see the 3D era on modern hardware.
- The Narrative Peak: Play GTA IV and its expansions. The story is arguably the best in the franchise.
- The Modern Standard: Revisit GTA V's story mode. Even if you've played it, the 2022 "Expanded and Enhanced" versions on PS5/Xbox Series X look incredible.
- The Timeline Divergence: Remember that GTA Online is technically the current "living" timeline of the series.
The wait for 2026 is going to be long. You might as well spend it becoming an expert on the criminal history of Liberty City and Los Santos. Just don't expect the police to be any more forgiving than they were in '97.
Next Steps for You
- Locate your old copy of GTA IV; it's still the gold standard for physics.
- Check the Rockstar Newswire for any "Trailer 3" drops throughout late 2025 and early 2026.
- If you haven't played Chinatown Wars, get it on your phone—it’s the most underrated entry in the entire list.