"Grand Theft Auto Games: How to Play in Order"

It's hard to discuss modern video games without mentioning the impact of Grand Theft Auto. Rockstar's iconic crime franchise has evolved from a controversial PlayStation 1 classic into a cultural phenomenon, with its latest installment, Grand Theft Auto 5, ranking as the third best-selling game of all time.

However, the series didn't become a landmark success overnight. Rockstar has meticulously crafted its crime saga over more than two decades, developing hyper-immersive open worlds that continue to captivate players long after their initial release. With over sixteen Grand Theft Auto games released since the franchise's inception in 1997, newcomers might be wondering where to begin. To help you dive in, we've organized every GTA game in chronological order, enabling you to navigate the timeline of this crime-laden universe effectively. Keep in mind, you'll need to wait until 2026 for the release of 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 Grand Theft Auto game, GTA 6, is slated for release in 2026.

Before we delve into the list, it's important to understand the overall continuity of Grand Theft Auto. As confirmed by Rockstar in 2011, the GTA series is divided into three distinct timelines: the 2D timeline, the 3D timeline, and the HD timeline. While events across these timelines may be similar or even identical, Rockstar does not consider them all canon to one another. Therefore, we will categorize the games according to their respective universes.

Which GTA Game Should You Play First?

If you're eager to dive into the Grand Theft Auto series before GTA 6 hits the shelves, starting with the most recent entry, GTA 5, is highly recommended. This game is a masterpiece in its own right and is accessible on virtually every platform. Additionally, you can enjoy GTA Online for multiplayer action.

Grand Theft Auto V

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The Grand Theft Auto 2D Timeline

Below, we'll list the Grand Theft Auto games from the 2D universe. These summaries contain mild spoilers, including characters, settings, and 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 the only two GTA releases not available on PlayStation, exclusive to PC players.

This mission pack serves as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto's first expansion, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969. It follows a nameless criminal ascending through London's crime families by completing tasks for a mobster named Harold Cartwright.

2. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

The first expansion for the original Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 marked the series' initial foray into London.

The narrative follows an unnamed British criminal battling various crime syndicates while establishing their reputation on the city's streets. They collaborate with Harold Cartwright's gang from Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 and confront the sinister Crisp Twins.

3. Grand Theft Auto

The first entry in the mainline series, Grand Theft Auto follows the exploits of an unnamed protagonist carving out a name in the criminal underworlds of three locations: Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City.

Set in 1997, the criminal undertakes bank heists, assassinations, and escapes, enhancing their reputation and aiding various nefarious gangs. Along the way, they encounter prominent criminals such as Robert Seragliano, El Burro, and Uncle Fu.

4. Grand Theft Auto 2

The second mainline entry, Grand Theft Auto 2 represents a significant departure from its predecessor. Set in the futuristic metropolis of Anywhere City, which bears no resemblance to other GTA locations, it follows a criminal named Claude Speed.

Claude works with various crime syndicates in Anywhere City to amass wealth and respect. The game's timeline is ambiguous, with in-game references suggesting it occurs in both 1999 and 2013. Nonetheless, it marks the conclusion of the 2D timeline.

The Grand Theft Auto 3D Timeline

Below, we'll list the Grand Theft Auto games from the 3D universe. These summaries contain mild spoilers, including characters, settings, and story elements.

1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

A prequel to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is set in 1984 and follows US military soldier Victor Vance, who is dishonorably discharged after being framed by his sergeant.

Out of work, Vic ventures into Vice City's criminal underworld and quickly rises to lead a crime family with his brother, Lance. Together, they disrupt Vice City's criminal landscape, encountering and recruiting several characters from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. By the game's end, Vic's story aligns with the beginning of Vice City.

2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

The fourth mainline iteration, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is set in 1986, two years after Vice City Stories. It follows Tommy Vercetti, a notorious gangster from Liberty City, sent to Vice City to expand his boss's drug trade post-release from jail.

After a drug deal goes awry, Tommy loses the drugs and money involved. Tasked with rectifying the situation, he dives into Vice City's criminal underbelly, partnering with Lance Vance to confront various crime families and recover what was stolen. As Tommy's reputation grows, he builds a criminal empire, drawing attention from his former employers.

3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The fifth mainline iteration, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas follows Carl 'CJ' Johnson and the Grove Street Families.

Set in 1992, San Andreas follows CJ's return to Los Santos after his mother's murder in a drive-by shooting meant for his brother. Reconnecting with his friends, family, and local gang, CJ plunges back into the criminal world, seeking vengeance.

While attempting to restore the Grove Street gang's former glory, CJ uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving a corrupt cop named Officer Tenpenny. He navigates betrayal, corrupt law enforcement, and rival factions vying for control across Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas.

4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Set in 1998, Liberty City Stories serves as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto 3 and follows Toni Cipriani, a gangster working for Salvatore Leone.

Returning to Liberty City after fleeing to Italy to evade retribution for a mafia assassination, Toni resumes his work for his former boss. He encounters high-ranking mafia members, ascends through Sal's gang, and eliminates rival crime lords, setting the stage for the events of Grand Theft Auto 3.

5. Grand Theft Auto Advance

Set in 2000, Grand Theft Auto Advance is a prequel to Grand Theft Auto 3, released on the Gameboy Advance. It follows Mike, a criminal seeking revenge for his partner Vinnie's death.

Initially planning to leave Liberty City with Vinnie, their plan unravels when Vinnie is killed by a car bomb. Driven by vengeance, Mike teams up with various characters from Grand Theft Auto 3, including 8-Ball and Asuka Kasen, to track down and eliminate his partner's killers.

6. Grand Theft Auto 3

The final entry in the timeline but the first game of the 3D era by release date, Grand Theft Auto 3 is set in 2001 and follows Claude, a bank robber left for dead by his girlfriend, Catalina, during a heist.

After surviving and escaping from a prison convoy, Claude becomes entrenched in Liberty City's criminal underworld, working with the mafia, the yakuza, and other syndicates. As he rises to notoriety, his quest for vengeance leads him to a confrontation with Catalina.

The Grand Theft Auto HD Timeline

Below, we'll list the Grand Theft Auto games from the HD universe. These summaries contain mild spoilers, including characters, settings, and story elements.

1. Grand Theft Auto 4

The first game of the HD era, Grand Theft Auto 4 is set in 2008 and follows Niko Bellic, an Eastern European ex-soldier arriving in Liberty City to reunite with his cousin, Roman Bellic.

Disappointed to find Roman struggling financially, Niko quickly finds illegal work, befriending arms dealer Little Jacob and working off Roman's debts. After killing a Russian loan shark involved with Roman's girlfriend, Niko becomes entangled with Liberty City's crime families, all while seeking to avenge a former comrade's betrayal.

2. Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and The Damned

Set during the events of Grand Theft Auto 4, The Lost and the Damned is GTA 4's first expansion. It follows Johnny Klebitz, the Vice President of The Lost MC, a motorcycle gang.

After rehab, Johnny resumes leadership under the returning President, Billy Grey. Billy's return sparks conflict as he breaks a truce with rivals, The Angels of Death, leading to a brutal gang war. As Billy's decisions threaten the gang's survival, Johnny grapples with his loyalty.

3. Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony

The second expansion of GTA 4, The Ballad of Gay Tony also runs concurrently with the main campaign. It follows Luis Lopez, a bodyguard attempting to save his boss, nightclub owner Tony Prince.

Despite Tony's reputation in Liberty City's nightlife, his businesses are failing, and he's indebted to the Ancelotti crime family. Luis works to settle Tony's debts, culminating in a risky plan involving smuggled diamonds that goes awry, leading to a frantic chase to retrieve them and protect Tony.

4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Set in 2009, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars follows Huang Lee, tasked with delivering an ancient sword to his uncle in Liberty City after his father's murder.

After an ambush leaves him for dead, Huang survives and seeks to recover the stolen sword. He collaborates with various gangs and the FIB, uncovering an internal betrayal within the Triads.

5. Grand Theft Auto Online

Though its exact placement on the timeline is unclear, Grand Theft Auto Online begins shortly before Grand Theft Auto 5 and extends well beyond the main campaign.

Players create their criminal character, seeking fortune and fame in Los Santos through criminal enterprises, property acquisition, and faction building. Recent updates have revisited characters like Franklin, years after the events of GTA 5, involving players in new business ventures.

6. Grand Theft Auto 5

Set in 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 follows three protagonists: Franklin, Michael, and Trevor.

Michael, after faking his death during a bank robbery, enters witness protection and relocates to Los Santos. He reconnects with Franklin, a young criminal, and they execute a jewelry heist. Trevor, Michael's former partner, learns of Michael's survival and joins them for more heists, but tensions rise due to 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 (2000)
• 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 delay has shifted GTA 6's release date to May 26, 2026. According to the reveal trailer, the new Grand Theft Auto will be set in a fictionalized Florida, including Vice City, and feature two criminal protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.

A second trailer, dubbed the "biggest video launch of all time" by Rockstar, showcases a blend of cinematics and gameplay. We've analyzed numerous details from the new trailer, highlighting significant characters and discussing what the release might mean for the future of game graphics. This could be one of the most anticipated game releases to date, and fans are eagerly awaiting its arrival.