It's impossible to discuss modern video games without acknowledging the monumental impact of Grand Theft Auto. Rockstar's legendary crime franchise has evolved from a controversial PlayStation 1 classic to a globally recognized cultural phenomenon. Its latest installment, Grand Theft Auto 5, ranks as the third best-selling game of all time. However, this success didn't happen overnight. Over the past two decades, Rockstar has meticulously crafted a series of hyper-immersive open worlds that keep players engaged long after release. With a total of sixteen Grand Theft Auto games released since the franchise debuted in 1997, newcomers might feel overwhelmed about where to start. To guide you through this criminal saga, we've compiled a list of every GTA game in chronological order, helping you navigate the best path through this expansive universe. Just a reminder, though—you'll need to wait until 2026 for GTA 6.
Jump to:
- How to Play in Chronological Order
- The 2D Timeline
- The 3D Timeline
- The HD Timeline
- GTA Release Dates
The Grand Theft Auto Games in Order
There are a total of 16 games in the Grand Theft Auto series – eleven on home consoles, one on PC, and four on handheld devices. The next installment, GTA 6, is slated for release in 2026.
Before diving into the list, it's crucial to understand the overall continuity of Grand Theft Auto. As confirmed by Rockstar in 2011, the series is divided into three distinct timelines: the 2D timeline, the 3D timeline, and the HD timeline. Although events across these timelines might share similarities, Rockstar does not consider them all part of the same canon. Therefore, we'll categorize the games into their respective universes.
Which GTA Game Should You Play First?
If you're eager to dive into the Grand Theft Auto universe before GTA 6 hits the shelves, starting with the latest entry, GTA 5, is a smart move. This modern masterpiece is accessible on numerous platforms and offers a robust single-player campaign along with the expansive GTA Online for multiplayer adventures.
Grand Theft Auto V
The Grand Theft Auto 2D Timeline
Below, we'll list the Grand Theft Auto games from the 2D universe. These descriptions include mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and key story elements.
1. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961
The second expansion for the original Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 is one of only two GTA releases not available on PlayStation, being exclusive to PC players. This prequel to Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 follows an unnamed criminal climbing the ranks of London's crime families by executing jobs for mobster Harold Cartwright.
2. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969
The inaugural expansion for the original Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 introduced the series to London. It follows an unnamed British criminal battling various crime syndicates while establishing a reputation on the city's streets. Key figures include Harold Cartwright's gang and the sinister Crisp Twins.
3. Grand Theft Auto
The first mainline entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto features an unnamed protagonist navigating the criminal underworlds of Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City in 1997. Their journey involves bank heists, assassinations, and getaways, all while building ties with notorious figures like Robert Seragliano, El Burro, and Uncle Fu.
4. Grand Theft Auto 2
The second mainline installment, Grand Theft Auto 2 takes a bold step away from its predecessor by setting the story in the futuristic metropolis of Anywhere City. Players control Claude Speed, who works with various crime syndicates to gain money and respect. The game's timeline is ambiguous, with references suggesting settings in both 1999 and 2013, marking it as the final entry in the 2D timeline.
The Grand Theft Auto 3D Timeline
Below, we'll list the Grand Theft Auto games from the 3D universe. These descriptions contain mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and key story elements.
1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
A prequel to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, this PSP title is set in 1984 and follows Victor Vance, a U.S. military soldier framed and dishonorably discharged. Seeking a new path, he dives into Vice City's criminal underworld, eventually leading a crime family with the help of his brother, Lance. Their journey intersects with characters from Vice City, setting the stage for the later game's events.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Set in 1986, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City follows Tommy Vercetti, a notorious gangster from Liberty City, tasked with expanding his boss's drug trade. After a botched drug deal, Tommy allies with Lance Vance to reclaim stolen goods and establish his criminal empire, navigating the complex web of Vice City's crime families.
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Set in 1992, this installment follows Carl 'CJ' Johnson as he returns to Los Santos to avenge his mother's murder. Reuniting with his gang, the Grove Street Families, CJ aims to restore their former glory while uncovering a web of betrayal and corruption, all while pursued by the corrupt Officer Tenpenny.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Set in 1998, this prequel to Grand Theft Auto 3 follows Toni Cipriani, a gangster working for Salvatore Leone. Returning from Italy after an assassination, Toni works to climb the ranks of the Leone family, influencing Liberty City's criminal landscape and setting up the events of GTA 3.
5. Grand Theft Auto Advance
Set in 2000, this Gameboy Advance prequel to GTA 3 follows Mike, seeking vengeance for his partner Vinnie's murder. Mike teams up with characters from GTA 3, navigating Liberty City's criminal underworld to find and eliminate those responsible.
6. Grand Theft Auto 3
The final game in the 3D timeline by chronological order, but the first of the 3D era by release date, Grand Theft Auto 3 is set in 2001. It follows Claude, a bank robber betrayed by his girlfriend, Catalina. Escaping prison, Claude rises through Liberty City's criminal ranks, driven by a desire for revenge.
The Grand Theft Auto HD Timeline
Below, we'll list the Grand Theft Auto games from the HD universe. These descriptions contain mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and key story elements.
1. Grand Theft Auto 4
Set in 2008, Grand Theft Auto 4 follows Niko Bellic, an Eastern European ex-soldier seeking fortune in Liberty City. Discovering his cousin Roman's dire financial situation, Niko turns to crime, entangling himself with Liberty City's crime families while pursuing a personal vendetta against a former comrade.
2. Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and The Damned
Set concurrently with GTA 4, this expansion follows Johnny Klebitz, Vice President of the motorcycle gang, The Lost MC. Johnny struggles with the gang's direction after the return of its President, Billy Grey, leading to a violent conflict with rival gang, The Angels of Death.
3. Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony
Another expansion set alongside GTA 4, this game follows Luis Lopez, a bodyguard trying to save nightclub owner Tony Prince from financial ruin. Luis navigates Liberty City's criminal underworld to clear Tony's debts, culminating in a risky diamond deal gone awry.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Set in 2009, this game follows Huang Lee, tasked with delivering an ancient sword to his uncle in Liberty City. After being ambushed and left for dead, Huang seeks to recover the sword and uncover the betrayal within the Triads.
5. Grand Theft Auto Online
Set initially before Grand Theft Auto 5 and evolving over time, GTA Online follows a player-created criminal seeking fortune in Los Santos. The story has expanded over the years, with recent updates revisiting characters like Franklin post-GTA 5.
6. Grand Theft Auto 5
Set in 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 follows three protagonists: Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Michael, living under witness protection in Los Santos, is drawn back into crime through his friendship with Franklin. The trio, including Trevor, who discovers Michael is alive, embarks on a series of heists, navigating their complex relationships and past betrayals.
Every GTA Game in Release 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 (2001)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
- Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
- Grand Theft Auto 4 (2008)
- Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and The Damned (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto Online (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto 6 (2026)
When Are We Getting GTA 6?
While Take-Two Interactive initially announced a fall 2025 release window, the latest update has delayed GTA 6's launch to May 26, 2026. The game's reveal trailer suggests it will be set in a fictionalized Florida, including Vice City, and will feature two criminal protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. A second trailer, heralded as the "biggest video launch of all time," blends cinematic scenes with gameplay, offering insights into new characters and the future of game graphics. This eagerly anticipated release promises to be a landmark event in gaming, and we're all counting down the days until it arrives.
