Grand Theft Auto VI arrives on November 19, 2026, taking the series back to a modern take on Vice City. If the trailers have you itching to revisit where it all started, or you never played the classics the first time around, this is the guide for you: every GTA game in order, which ones are worth playing today, and where to start.
GTA games in release order
| Year | Game | Original system |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Grand Theft Auto | PlayStation (PS1) |
| 1999 | Grand Theft Auto 2 | PlayStation (PS1) |
| 2001 | Grand Theft Auto III | PlayStation 2 |
| 2002 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | PlayStation 2 |
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | PlayStation 2 |
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto Advance | Game Boy Advance |
| 2005 | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories | PSP |
| 2006 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories | PSP |
| 2008 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Xbox 360, PS3 |
| 2009 | Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars | Nintendo DS |
| 2009 | Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City | Xbox 360 |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | Xbox 360, PS3 |
| 2026 | Grand Theft Auto VI | PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
Years are the first North American release of each game. Many were later released on other systems too: GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas all came to the original Xbox, and the two "Stories" games came to the PS2.
GTA games in story (chronological) order
The series is split into separate universes, so the stories don't all connect. The PS2-era games share one world, and GTA IV onward starts a fresh one.
The PS2-era "3D universe"
- Vice City Stories: set in 1984
- Vice City: 1986
- San Andreas: 1992
- Liberty City Stories: 1998
- GTA Advance: 2000
- GTA III: 2001
The modern "HD universe"
- GTA IV and Episodes from Liberty City: 2008
- Chinatown Wars: 2009
- GTA V: 2013
The classics worth playing before GTA 6
These are the ones people still talk about, and they're surprisingly affordable on their original systems.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City · $17.97
Neon, 1980s Miami and one of the best soundtracks in gaming. The obvious warm-up for GTA 6.
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Greatest Hits · $21.97
Three cities, a whole state and CJ's story. Many fans' favorite of all time.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars · $64.97
A top-down GTA made for the DS, with clever touch-screen extras.
Which GTA should you play first?
If you only play one before GTA 6, make it Vice City. GTA 6 returns to a modern Vice City, and the 2002 original is short enough to finish in a few evenings. If you want the biggest adventure, San Andreas is the one most fans name as the best of the classic era. Want the first big jump into 3D? Start with GTA III.
Original discs or remasters?
The classic trilogy was remastered for modern consoles in 2021, which is the easiest way to play on a new TV. But plenty of fans prefer the originals: they look and play exactly as they did in 2001 to 2004, and some licensed songs were cut from later re-releases because of music licensing. Playing the original disc on a PS2 gets you the soundtrack as it first shipped.
PlayStation 2 (PS2) Fat Console · $189.97
The original PS2, the system GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas launched on.
Frequently asked questions
How many GTA games are there?
Once GTA VI launches there will be eight main games: Grand Theft Auto, GTA 2, GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, GTA V and GTA VI. On top of those are handheld spin-offs like Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, Chinatown Wars and GTA Advance, plus expansions like Episodes from Liberty City.
When does GTA 6 come out?
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
What is the best GTA to play before GTA 6?
Vice City is the best warm-up, because GTA 6 returns to a modern version of Vice City. San Andreas is the fan favorite if you want the biggest classic game.
Can you still play GTA San Andreas on the PS2?
Yes. The original PS2 disc plays on any working PS2, and copies are affordable. Our copies are cleaned and tested before they ship.
What order should I play the GTA games in?
Release order is the easiest way to see the series evolve: GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, then GTA IV and GTA V. For story order in the PS2-era world, start with Vice City Stories (1984) and finish with GTA III (2001).
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