Best GTA Games Ranked: Every Main Game Before GTA 6
Before Grand Theft Auto VI arrives, it is a good moment to look back at the best GTA games ranked. Rockstar’s series has gone from a top-down crime game in 1997 to some of the biggest entertainment launches ever made. This ranking covers the main releases on home consoles and PC, plus the handheld spin-offs, and explains what each one added to the series. Rankings are opinion, of course, so treat this as a starting point for your own list.
How we ranked the GTA games
We looked at four things: how the game changed the series, how well the story and characters hold up, how much there is to do in the open world, and how playable it is today. If you want the release order instead of a ranking, our guide to every GTA game in order covers the full timeline.
The best GTA games ranked at a glance
| Rank | Game | First released | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Theft Auto V | 2013 | Los Santos and Blaine County |
| 2 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | 2004 | San Andreas |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | 2002 | Vice City |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto IV | 2008 | Liberty City |
| 5 | Grand Theft Auto III | 2001 | Liberty City |
| 6 | GTA IV: Episodes from Liberty City | 2009 | Liberty City |
| 7 | GTA: Chinatown Wars | 2009 | Liberty City |
| 8 | GTA: Vice City Stories | 2006 | Vice City |
| 9 | GTA: Liberty City Stories | 2005 | Liberty City |
| 10 | Grand Theft Auto 2 | 1999 | Anywhere City |
| 11 | Grand Theft Auto | 1997 | Liberty City, San Andreas, Vice City |
1. Grand Theft Auto V
GTA 5 takes the top spot for its scale and ambition. Three playable protagonists, Michael, Franklin and Trevor, let the story jump between very different lives, and the heist missions gave the series a new structure. Its open world, from downtown Los Santos to the desert and mountains, set the standard for years. It has also had a remarkably long life thanks to re-releases across three console generations and GTA Online. Our guides to the GTA 5 characters and the GTA 5 heists go deeper.
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
San Andreas was enormous for its time, with three cities and countryside in between. CJ’s story mixed gang life, family and conspiracy, and the game added RPG-style systems such as stamina, muscle, driving skill and even swimming. Many fans still rank it first, and the argument is fair.
3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Vice City wrapped the series in 1980s neon, pastel suits and a legendary soundtrack. Tommy Vercetti was the first fully voiced protagonist, and buying properties to build a criminal empire gave the game a clear sense of progress. Since GTA 6 returns to Vice City, this one matters more than ever. Read our Vice City history for every game set there.
4. Grand Theft Auto IV
GTA IV traded some of the series’ silliness for a grounded, darker tone. Niko Bellic’s immigrant story is one of the strongest in the franchise, and the physics-driven driving and combat felt like a real generational leap. Some players find it less fun than its neighbours, but its storytelling holds up well.
5. Grand Theft Auto III
GTA III is the game that changed everything. Moving the series into full 3D created the template for the modern open-world game: a city to roam freely, missions picked up across the map and radio stations in every car. It feels dated now, but its influence is hard to overstate.
6. Episodes from Liberty City
The two expansions, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, showed the same city from new angles. One follows a biker gang, the other the city’s nightlife, and together they added variety and colour to GTA IV.
7 to 9. The handheld games
Chinatown Wars, first released on Nintendo DS, cleverly blended a top-down view with modern design and is often called the best handheld GTA. Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories brought full 3D GTA to the PSP, acting as prequels to GTA III and Vice City.
10 and 11. The top-down originals
The first Grand Theft Auto and GTA 2 introduced the core idea: steal cars, take jobs and cause chaos in a sandbox city. They are rough by today’s standards, but without them none of the later games would exist.
What does this ranking mean for GTA 6?
The best games in the series share a few traits: a memorable setting, a strong lead character and a world full of things to do. GTA 6 brings the series back to Vice City in the state of Leonida, with two protagonists, Jason and Lucia. For a breakdown of what has been officially shown so far, see our GTA 6 vs GTA 5 comparison.
Where to play the classics today
- GTA 5: available on current consoles and PC, with GTA Online included.
- GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas: available as remastered versions in the Definitive Edition trilogy.
- GTA IV: availability varies by platform, so check your store.
FAQ
What is the best GTA game of all time?
Most rankings put GTA 5 or San Andreas first. GTA 5 wins on scale and polish; San Andreas wins for many fans on nostalgia and variety.
Which GTA game has the best story?
GTA IV is often praised for its storytelling, while Vice City and San Andreas are loved for their characters and tone.
Should I play the older GTA games before GTA 6?
It is not necessary, since each game tells its own story, but playing Vice City adds context to GTA 6’s setting.
How many main GTA games are there?
There are seven main numbered and 3D-era titles before GTA 6, plus expansions and handheld spin-offs.