How one can Play the Grand Theft Auto Video games in Order

It’s arduous to speak about fashionable video video games with out mentioning the affect of Grand Theft Auto. Rockstar’s iconic crime franchise has grown from a controversial PlayStation 1 basic to a universally recognised cultural behemoth, with its most up-to-date entry, Grand Theft Auto 5, turning into the third best-selling recreation of all time.

Nonetheless, the collection didn’t develop right into a landmark success in a single day. Rockstar has been slowly constructing its iconic crime collection for over twenty years, creating hyper-immersive open worlds that gamers probe for years after their launch. With over sixteen Grand Theft Auto video games dropping because the franchise started in 1997, new gamers are most likely questioning the place to start out. That will help you get caught in, we’ve listed each GTA recreation in chronological order so you may plot the perfect route by the timeline of this crime-riddled world.

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The Grand Theft Auto Video games in Order

There are a complete of 16 video games within the Grand Theft Auto collection – eleven on house consoles, one on PC and 4 on handheld gadgets. We additionally already know that GTA 6 will likely be popping out

Earlier than we dive into the checklist, it’s first price noting an necessary element concerning the general continuity of Grand Theft Auto. As confirmed by Rockstar again in 2011, the GTA collection is cut up into three distinctive timelines: the 2D timeline, the 3D timeline and the HD timeline. Though occasions in these timelines is perhaps comparable and even similar, Rockstar doesn’t contemplate all of them canon to one another. As such, we’ll separate the video games into their respective universes.

The place Is GTA 6 on the Grand Theft Auto Timeline?

With the latest reveal trailer confirming that GTA 6 will likely be going down in what seems to be a modern-day Vice Metropolis, it looks like there will not be soar in time both ahead or backward. References to TikTok and fashionable automobiles just about confirms this, however we have no extra data than that simply but.

The Grand Theft Auto 2D Timeline

Beneath, we’ll checklist the Grand Theft Auto video games from the 2D universe. These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961

The second enlargement launched for the unique Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 is certainly one of solely two GTA releases to not hit a PlayStation console, with the DLC solely obtainable to PC gamers.

The mission pack acts as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto’s first enlargement, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969. It follows a anonymous legal rising by the ranks of the London crime households by finishing jobs for a mobster known as Harold Cartwright.

2. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

The primary enlargement for the unique Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 marked the collection’ first go to to London.

The story follows a anonymous British legal who fights towards numerous crime syndicates whereas constructing their legend on the town’s streets. These embody Harold Cartwright’s gang, which the participant joins forces with in Grand Theft Auto: London 1961, in addition to a pair of sinister crime lords often called the Crisp Twins.

3. Grand Theft Auto

The primary entry within the mainline collection, Grand Theft Auto follows the adventures of a anonymous protagonist as they make their mark on the legal underworlds of three places: Liberty Metropolis, San Andreas and Vice Metropolis.

Set in 1997, the legal’s adventures see them full financial institution heists, assassinations and getaways, constructing their fame whereas aiding numerous sinister gangs. Alongside the best way, they meet a bunch of high-ranking criminals, together with Robert Seragliano, El Burro and Uncle Fu.

4. Grand Theft Auto 2

The second mainline entry within the collection, Grand Theft Auto 2 is arguably the largest departure for the collection up to now. Shifting away from the setting of the primary GTA, it takes gamers to a nigh-on futuristic metropolis often called Anyplace Metropolis, which bears no placing resemblance to some other location within the collection.

The journey follows a legal named Claude Pace, who works with numerous crime syndicates round Anyplace Metropolis to earn money and earn respect. The sport’s place on the timeline is difficult, primarily as in-game references allude to it going down in each 1999 and 2013. Regardless, it’s the ultimate recreation within the 2D timeline.

The Grand Theft Auto 3D Timeline

Beneath, we’ll checklist the Grand Theft Auto video games from the 3D universe. These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales

A prequel to Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis, the PSP’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales takes place in 1984 and follows US navy soldier Victor Vance who, after being framed by his sergeant, is dishonorably discharged.

Contemporary out of a job, he decides to enter Vice Metropolis’s underworld, rapidly turning into the top of a criminal offense household with the assistance of his brother, Lance. The pair embark on an journey to disrupt Vice Metropolis’s crime scene, assembly and recruiting quite a lot of Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis’s supporting characters alongside the best way. By the point the sport wraps up, Vic’s story catches up with the start of Vice Metropolis.

2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis

The fourth mainline iteration of the collection, Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis takes place in 1986; two years after Vice Metropolis Tales. It follows Tommy Verceti, a infamous gangster from Liberty Metropolis who is shipped to Vice Metropolis to supervise the enlargement of his boss’ drug commerce after being launched from jail.

Tommy lands in sizzling water after a supposedly easy drug deal goes horribly unsuitable. Shedding the medicine and cash exchanged within the deal, Tommy is given one final likelihood to make issues proper.

To redeem himself, he dives into the seedy underbelly of Vice Metropolis, allying with Lance Vance to tackle its numerous crime households and discover the medicine and cash stolen from him. As he turns into a much bigger identify round Vice Metropolis, he slowly creates a rising legal empire, which doesn’t go unnoticed by his former employers.

3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The fifth mainline iteration of the collection, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas tells the story of Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson and the Grove Road Households. 

Set in 1992, San Andreas follows CJ as he returns to Los Santos after his mom is killed in a drive-by meant to assassinate his brother. Reuniting together with his pals, household and native gang, The Grove Road Households, it doesn’t take lengthy for CJ to get caught again into the legal underworld, vowing to get revenge on the gang that murdered his mom.

Whereas CJ makes an attempt to rebuild the Grove Road gang’s former glory, it turns into clear that one thing shady is going on behind the scenes. Pursued by a crooked cop named Officer Tenpenny, CJ offers with betrayal, corrupt regulation enforcement and the assorted factions vying for management of Los Santos and the neighboring cities of San Fierro and Las Venturas.

4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty Metropolis Tales

Set in 1998, Liberty Metropolis Tales acts as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto 3 and follows a gangster working for Salvatore Leone named Toni Cipriani. Returning to Liberty Metropolis after fleeing to Italy to flee the repercussions of assassinating a member of the mafia, Toni will get caught again in working for his former boss.

Alongside the best way, he meets a number of high-level mafia contacts and climbs by the ranks of Sal’s gang, murdering rival crime lords and helping Leone’s makes an attempt to achieve political sway with the mayor. The story concludes with Salvatore Leone’s household standing as one probably the most highly effective crime syndicates in Liberty Metropolis, establishing the occasions of Grand Theft Auto 3.

5. Grand Theft Auto Advance

Going down in 2000, Grand Theft Auto Advance was a Grand Theft Auto 3 prequel launched on the Gameboy Advance. It follows a legal named Mike as he makes an attempt to get revenge for the demise of his associate, Vinnie.

Deciding to go away Liberty Metropolis and discover new alternatives elsewhere, the story begins with Mike and Vinnie finishing jobs for the mafia in an try and tie up free ends and fund their escape. Nonetheless, the plan falls aside when Vinnie is killed with a automobile bomb, driving Mike to search out and kill his murderers. In pursuit of vengeance, Mike groups with numerous Grand Theft Auto 3 characters, together with 8-Ball and Asuka Kasen.

6. Grand Theft Auto 3

The ultimate entry within the timeline however the first recreation of the 3D period by launch date, Grand Theft Auto 3 takes place in 2001 and follows a brand new Claude, a financial institution robber that’s shot and left for useless by his girlfriend, Catalina, throughout a heist.

Claude survives however is arrested and sentenced to life in jail. Nonetheless, whereas en path to jail, Claude manages to flee after the Columbian Cartel raided his convoy seeking one other prisoner. Fleeing the scene, Claude is quickly inducted into the legal underworld of Liberty Metropolis, working with the mafia, the yakuza and numerous different syndicates.

Though he rises to turn out to be one of many metropolis’s most infamous gangsters, Claude’s purpose rapidly turns into certainly one of vengeance, as his path finally crosses with Catalina, establishing an inevitable confrontation between the previous couple.

The Grand Theft Auto HD Timeline

Beneath, we’ll checklist the Grand Theft Auto video games from the HD universe. These blurbs comprise delicate spoilers for every recreation, together with characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Grand Theft Auto 4

The primary recreation of the HD period, Grand Theft Auto 4 takes place in 2008 and follows an Japanese European ex-soldier named Niko Bellic as he makes his option to Liberty Metropolis. Coming to America to reunite together with his cousin, Roman Bellic, who has allegedly discovered fortune after transferring to Liberty Metropolis, Niko is shocked to search out Roman is definitely broke, residing in a cockroach-infested residence and working a failing enterprise.

It doesn’t take lengthy for Niko to search out work and amass money by less-than-legal means, assembly and befriending an arms vendor named Little Jacob and dealing off Roman’s money owed with a Russian mortgage shark named Vlad Glebov. Nonetheless, after discovering that Vlad has been sleeping with Roman’s girlfriend, Niko kills him, sparking a series of occasions which places him and Roman within the sights of the Russian mafia.

To outlive, Niko allies with the crime households of Liberty Metropolis, the place he turns into tangled of their politics and turns into one of many metropolis’s most feared criminals. All of the whereas, Niko has an ulterior motive, wanting to trace down and homicide a former comrade from his days within the navy that double-crossed him and his squad.

2. Grand Theft Auto: The Misplaced and The Damned

Set through the occasions of Grand Theft Auto 4, The Misplaced and the Damned was GTA 4’s first enlargement. It follows Johnny Klebitz, the Vice President of a revered motorbike gang known as The Misplaced MC.

Launched from a protracted stint in rehab, the story opens with The Misplaced MC’s President, Billy Gray, returning to the gang and reassuming his place as its chief. Throughout his time away, Johnny led The Misplaced MC, forming a truce with the gang’s fundamental rivals, The Angels of Demise. As soon as reinstated, Billy and Johnny start to conflict after Billy orders The Misplaced to interrupt the truce with the Angels of Demise, beginning a ruthless gang battle.

As the 2 gangs battle it out, Billy begins to steer The Misplaced down a self-destructive path, guiding his brothers into more and more harmful conditions. With civil battle brewing within the group, Johnny is compelled to think about the place his loyalty lies.

3. Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Homosexual Tony

The second of GTA 4’s expansions, The Ballad of Homosexual Tony additionally takes place alongside the core Grand Theft Auto marketing campaign. The story follows bodyguard Luis Lopez as he tries to save lots of the lifetime of his boss and legendary nightclub proprietor, Tony Prince.

Though Tony is a fixture of Liberty Metropolis’s nightlife scene, his companies are failing. To make issues worse, he’s additionally in debt to the Ancelotti crime household, who’re prepared to gather what they’re owed. Swearing to assist his boss, Luis tries to sq. Tony’s money owed, serving to out his numerous legal acquaintances.

All of it crescendos with a dangerous plan from Tony, who decides to amass hundreds of thousands of {dollars} price of smuggled diamonds and trade them in a deal. Nonetheless, the plan falls aside, main Luis on a wild goose chase round Liberty Metropolis in an try and retrieve the diamonds and hold Tony’s money owed from catching up with him.

4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Going down in 2009, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars tells the story of Huang Lee, the son of a murdered Triad chief who’s tasked with flying to Liberty Metropolis to ship an historic sword to his uncle.

After arriving in Liberty Metropolis, Huang is ambushed, together with his attackers stealing the sword and capturing Huang. Believing him useless, they dump his physique, permitting Huang to flee alive. Reuniting together with his uncle, Huang embarks on an journey to trace down the sword and ship it again to the Triads. Alongside the best way, he works with numerous gangs and the FIB, studying that the sword’s theft might have been an inside job.

5. Grand Theft Auto On-line

Though it’s tough to evaluate the place precisely it falls on the timeline, Grand Theft Auto On-line begins shortly earlier than Grand Theft Auto 5 and has, over the course of ten years of updates, shifted to a time frame lengthy after the sport’s fundamental marketing campaign.

The core story follows a player-created legal that heads to Los Santos to search out fortune, fame and fame, creating factions, shopping for property and collaborating in legal ventures. The story has developed over time, with one of many newest updates revisiting the character of Franklin years after the occasions of Grand Theft Auto V, as he duties the participant with serving to him in his enterprise ventures.

6. Grand Theft Auto 5

Set in 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 follows the story of three criminals: Franklin, Michael and Trevor. After staging his demise throughout a financial institution theft within the small city of North Yankton, Michael Townley enters a witness safety programme, transferring to the sunny metropolis of Los Santos to reside a lifetime of luxurious in an enormous mansion together with his household.

Nonetheless, he’s lured out of retirement when he meets Franklin Clinton, an formidable small-time legal despatched to repossess Michael’s son’s automobile. Forming a friendship, Michael begins to mentor Franklin, finally main the pair to rob a jewellery retailer to repay a neighborhood crime lord. Nonetheless, the act doesn’t go unnoticed.

On the outskirts of Los Santos, Michael’s former pal and legal affiliate, Trevor Phillips, watches a clip of the heist on the information. Realizing that his seemingly useless associate continues to be alive in Los Santos, Trevor heads to the town, becoming a member of Michael and Franklin to stage numerous elaborate heists. Nonetheless, Trevor’s animosity in the direction of Michael’s betrayal begins to drive a wedge between the group, as tensions rise and the reality behind the pair’s previous involves mild.

How one can Play the Grand Theft Auto video games by Launch Date

• 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 Metropolis (2002)
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
• Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty Metropolis Tales (2005)
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice Metropolis Tales (2006)
• Grand Theft Auto 4 (2008)
• Grand Theft Auto: The Misplaced and The Damned (2009)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
• Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Homosexual Tony (2009)
• Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)
• Grand Theft Auto On-line (2013)
• Grand Theft Auto 6 (2025)

What’s Subsequent for Grand Theft Auto?

Rockstar has formally confirmed that it’s creating GTA 6. Based on the newest reveal trailer, the sport will likely be set in Vice Metropolis and be launched sooner or later in 2025.

Previous leaks additionally confirmed that the sport will observe two protagonists named Lucia and Jason. Nonetheless, this data continues to be but to be confirmed and is gleaned from an early construct of the sport, that means any particulars could possibly be topic to alter. Although we did see Lucia within the trailer.