The gaming world is waiting as the calendar continues to tick down to the most anticipated release in gaming history. After a 13-year wait, GTA 6 will follow the hugely successful GTA 5 by launching on November 19. Will it be as good as the previous title? We’ll have to wait and see, but judging by the success of the GTA franchise across three decades, Rockstar certainly knows how to make a blockbuster game.
While we all wait for the momentous day, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, looking at each of the main GTA games that have mesmerized gamers from day one of their release. We’re sure it will trigger memories for most of you, whether it’s the original top-down angle of the earlier games, the pumping soundtracks, or the characters and storylines that have contributed to the franchise’s success.
Grand Theft Auto (1997) – Where it All Began
It’s crazy to think the Grand Theft Auto series is almost 30 years old. However, your first thoughts if looking back at the very first GTA game are almost certainly going to be along the lines of ‘wow, this looks dated!’. You would be forgiven, too. There are none of the 3D skylines and graphics of modern releases. The car-chase action is all delivered from a top-down 2D angle. Still, if you do play, you’ll quickly see where the core gameplay of the series was first born.
Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999) – RESPECT
Fast forward two years, and while you still controlled the action from above, Grand Theft Auto 2 introduced one of the series’ core mechanics. That’s right, the ‘Respect’ system was born. The more chaos you caused as you tried to complete crime-related missions, the higher your ‘Respect’ rating increased. Along with it came increasing numbers of police on your tail, making it increasingly hard to get away with the spoils.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001) – 3D Changed the Game
If you were around for this release in 2001, you’ll remember the moment you first powered up the third in the GTA series. Jaws dropped around the world when the game set you off from Callahan Bridge in a new 3D, rain-drenched Liberty City. It wasn’t just an iconic moment for GTA, but for gaming as a whole. It set the blueprint for the modern open-world genre that’s so popular today. For the first time, you could steal any car and race around the city with Chatterbox FM blaring in a third-person perspective.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) – 80s Tunes & More Adventures
Ask most gamers who have lived through the earlier releases for their top five GTA games, and they’ll have Vice City anywhere between 3rd and 5th. It featured an amazing 1980s licensed soundtrack covering everything from pop to rock and to hip hop from artists including Iron Maiden and Michael Jackson. It also used well-known actors, such as Ray Liotta, who voiced the legendary Tommy Vercetti. From surviving the notoriously annoying remote-controlled helicopter mission to accidentally finding the Easter Egg room in the VCN building, Vice City created instant memories for millions of gamers around the world.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) – When GTA Really Took Off
San Andreas is the release that kicked off the love affair for gamers. PC and console players around the world were gripped by Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson’s quest to reclaim the streets of Grove Street. The map was huge, spanning Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas, and the gameplay was more in-depth than ever. To this day, many GTA OGs rank San Andreas as their top game from the series, and you’ll understand why when you play it for the first time. It has some of the most memorable lines, such as ‘Ah sh*t, here we go again,’ and some of the most remembered quests, including the infamous train mission, known as one of the hardest to date.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005) & Vice City Stories (2006) – Handheld Mayhem
While neither really hit the heights of former releases for regular console owners, those who had handheld PSP devices were treated to the franchise for the very first time in the two stories from Liberty City and Vice City. Players could now revisit the two iconic locations while out and about. Plus, the latter of the two delivered one of the most memorable acting performances. Phil Collins appears as himself to belt out In the Air Tonight.
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) – The Gritty American Dream
A big graphical update came with the release of GTA 4, as it was built on the new Euphoria engine. Can handling was improved tenfold, gunplay was as good as it had been, and the engine also allowed Rockstar to up the ante in terms of cinematography and storytelling. As you followed Nico Bellic on his less-than-savory adventures, the visuals were second to none.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009) – Top-Down Returns
To take advantage of the growing handheld market, Rockstar released Chinatown Wars in 2009, and it has since become known as one of the studio’s best decisions. Playable on the Nintendo DS, PSP, and on mobile devices, the games took us back to the OG days of top-down gaming. However, this time that angle was paired with a comicbook-esque aesthetic. It never made it to home consoles, but to this day it is still played on small screens around the world.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
There is absolutely no doubt that GTA V has been the most successful. The fifth main instalment of the franchise remains one of the most-played games for the last 13 years, and also among the most successful pieces of entertainment in history. The story allows you to switch between Michael, Trevor, and Franklyn, each with their own stories, and the action is brighter, bigger, and wilder than before. Los Santos is huge, and the storylines are deeper than ever, with the characters organizing bank heists, going on revenge missions, skydiving in search of UFOs, and more. If you’re yet to play the game, where have you been for the last 13 years?
Grand Theft Auto Online (2013) – Longevity Unlocked
One of the main reasons GTA V has remained so popular to this day is the online version of the game. Rather than being tied to taking on quests alone in single-player, you can jump into servers online with dozens of others. Team up, take on groups of enemies, try to overtake the city, or enjoy roleplay; the choice is up to you.
The Wait Is Almost Over – GTA 6 Arrives on November 19, 2026
It’s been a long time coming. Some would even say far too long. But GTA 6 is now just days away, with the console release happening on November 19. After being in full-time development for at least 8 years, you just know it’s going to be huge. Rockstar always goes bigger and better than before and takes gaming to the next level. We cannot wait to get our hands on the game, and we’re sure many of you feel the same.
To help pass the time until release day, why not put your GTA knowledge to the test in our GTA Throwback quiz? Answer a few short questions, and we’ll give you a gamer personality and, better yet, a bonus code for 50 free spins!
