Every GTA Game in Order: The Ultimate Guide to Catch Up Before GTA 6

With Grand Theft Auto 6 confirmed for a 2025 release, there’s no better time to dive back into Rockstar’s genre-defining crime saga. Whether you’re a veteran criminal returning to Vice City or a newcomer curious about the chaos, the question remains: what’s the best way to play every GTA game?

There are three main ways to approach the franchise: by release date, by in-universe chronology, or a recommended “best of” path. Each offers a different experience depending on how deep you’re willing to go.


Release Order: Witness the Series Evolve

If you’re keen to see how the series has progressed in gameplay, narrative, and technology, release order is the most logical route. It begins with top-down 2D entries and evolves into massive open-world spectacles.

GTA Release Order (Mainline & Key Spin-Offs):

  1. Grand Theft Auto (1997)
  2. GTA: London 1969 (1999)
  3. GTA: London 1961 (1999)
  4. Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
  5. Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
  6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
  7. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
  8. GTA Advance (2004)
  9. GTA: Liberty City Stories (2005)
  10. GTA: Vice City Stories (2006)
  11. Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
  12. GTA: Chinatown Wars (2009)
  13. GTA IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)
  14. GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
  15. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
  16. Grand Theft Auto Online (2013–present)
  17. GTA: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition (2021)
  18. Grand Theft Auto VI (2025)

This order lets you experience Rockstar’s growing ambition, from the crude beginnings to the vast, immersive worlds of GTA V and VI. However, older titles like GTA 1 or the London expansions may feel dated and hard to access.


Chronological Timeline: Follow the Story Universe

If you’re interested in the narrative arc and how the world of GTA developed in-universe, playing the games chronologically is your go-to. Rockstar doesn’t officially connect its timelines (2D, 3D, and HD universes are separate), but fans often follow the timeline per era.

GTA Timeline Order (by setting/year):

2D Timeline:

  • GTA: London 1961
  • GTA: London 1969
  • Grand Theft Auto (1997)
  • Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999/2013)

3D Timeline:

  • GTA: Vice City Stories (1984)
  • GTA: Vice City (1986)
  • GTA: San Andreas (1992)
  • GTA: Liberty City Stories (1998)
  • GTA Advance (2000)
  • GTA III (2001)

HD Timeline:

  • GTA IV (2008)
  • GTA: Chinatown Wars (2009)
  • GTA IV DLCs (2009)
  • GTA V (2013)
  • GTA Online (2013–ongoing)
  • GTA VI (2026)

This method emphasizes the evolution of GTA’s fictional cities—Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City—and shows how characters, crime families, and urban chaos have changed through the decades.


Recommended Playthrough: Skip the Rest, Play the Best

Let’s be honest: not all GTA games are created equal. Some entries haven’t aged well or are tough to find. If you’re short on time but still want the most rewarding experience before GTA VI, here’s the essential list:

  • GTA: Vice City Stories (PS2/PSP) – Sets up Vice City’s iconic era
  • GTA: Vice City (All major platforms) – Retro Miami vibes and a killer soundtrack
  • GTA: San Andreas (All major platforms) – Massive map, RPG elements, cultural relevance
  • GTA III (Part of Trilogy Definitive Edition) – The 3D revolution begins
  • GTA IV + DLCs (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) – Gritty realism and emotional storytelling
  • GTA V + Online (PC, all consoles) – Peak Rockstar design with three playable protagonists
  • GTA VI (2025) – The future of Vice City and Rockstar storytelling

This curated list skips the clunkier 2D-era titles and harder-to-find handheld entries, focusing on Rockstar’s most critically and commercially successful games.


Final Thoughts: Prepare for the Next Chapter

GTA VI is shaping up to be another game-changer, with the series returning to Vice City and introducing a female lead, Lucia. Whether you want a historical walkthrough, a lore-deep timeline ride, or a shortcut to the highlights, now is the time to revisit GTA’s anarchic legacy.

Whatever route you choose, Grand Theft Auto’s legacy is worth exploring—and with GTA VI just around the corner, it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.

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