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The city is yours for the taking. The question is, will you build a criminal empire, or become a victim of your own hubris?

Grand Theft Auto is one of the biggest video game franchises in the world. The open world action-adventure franchise allows players to commit heists, embark on deadly missions, and make a name for yourself in the criminal underworld. When the series began in 1997, it was controversial for glorifying crime, sex, and destruction. Despite protests from parent groups, the Grand Theft Auto franchise is thriving, with over 440 million units sold.

Rockstar Game is preparing to release Grand Theft Auto VI, the long-awaited next installment of the franchise. As we prepare for GTA 6, you might be looking to catch up on the franchise. Not to worry, Popverse has you covered. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about playing GTA in release and chronological order.  

How to play Grand Theft Auto in release order

The GTA series has been going for almost 30 years, and in that time they’ve released 5 main games, numerous spin-offs, expansions, and ports. In other words, be prepared to spend a lot of time at your controller if you’re looking to play through the whole franchise. The following is a list of all the Grand Theft Auto games in release order.

It should be noted that we’ve only listed expansion packs if they add to the story. For example, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned is an expansion pack that adds new missions and a new storyline, justifying its inclusion on the list. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is not listed on here, as it’s simply a ported rerelease of previous games.

• Grand Theft Auto (1997)
• Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 (1999)
• Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 (1999)
• Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
• Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
• 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 IV (2008)
• Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
• Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
• Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
• Grand Theft Auto Online (2013)
• Grand Theft Auto VI (2025)

How to play Grand Theft Auto in chronological order

If you’re looking to play through GTA in chronological order, follow this timeline. It should be noted that there is conflicting information about the chronology of GTA 2. Police reports on the GTA 2 website place the game in 2013, while a radio broadcast in the game mentions the approaching new millennium. As a result, some GTA fan timelines are split on if GTA 2 takes place in 1999 or 2013. After weighing the various arguments, and looking at the game itself, our timeline places GTA 2 in 1999.

• 1961: Grand Theft Auto: London 1961
• 1969: Grand Theft Auto: London 1969
• 1984: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
• 1986: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• 1992: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• 1997: Grand Theft Auto
• 1998: Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
• 1999: Grand Theft Auto 2
• 2000: Grand Theft Auto Advance
• 2001: Grand Theft Auto III
• 2008: Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned, and Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony
• 2009: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
• 2013: Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
• 2025: Grand Theft Auto VI (presumably)

When is GTA 6 coming out?

The wait is almost over. While we don’t have an exact release date yet, Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released in late 2025. Some gaming journalists have looked at clues that put the timeline around fall, but for now, no official date has been given by Rockstar Games. Upon release, GTA 6 will be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. No retail price has been announced yet.

Why is GTA 6 taking so long?

GTA 5 was released in 2013, which means we’ve been waiting 12 years for GTA 6. What’s taking them so long? In fairness, it’s not like production of GTA 6 began the second GTA 5 was released. Plus, Rockstar has had other projects on their plate, including the best-selling Red Dead Redemption 2, which was released in 2018.

Rockstar’s games tend to have high production values, which take some time. For example, GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption used lots of motion capture technology, with some actors noting that it’s almost like filming a movie. While Rockstar hasn’t said as much, it’s also possible that the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down production. When you add console upgrades, which require production shifts, then it’s no wonder GTA 6 took so long.

What is the first thing I should do in GTA 5?

The first thing you will do is play Prologue, the tutorial mission. This will teach you all the gameplay basics you need. It’s also a great introduction to Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips, two of the main characters. Once that’s done, you can explore the map at your leisure, but I would recommend sticking with the story missions until you feel comfortable with the game.

Is GTA 4 before San Andreas?

Actually, it’s the other way around. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released in 2004, while Grand Theft Auto IV was released in 2008. Chronologically, San Andreas is set in 1992, while GTA 4 is set in 2008. No matter which way you look at it, San Andreas comes first. However, feel free to play GTA 4 first if you’re feeling adventurous.

Why was GTA 3 banned in Australia?

The Australian Classification Board banned Grand Theft Auto III due to the game’s violence and sexual content. The Board was particularly concerned with the violence against prostitutes and the way the game incentivized players to commit these acts. The game was recalled and Rockstar was forced to release a censored version of the game, which removed most of the content related to the prostitutes.

What does GTA+ get you?

Are you thinking of subscribing to GTA+? According to Rockstar Games, here’s what membership will get you. Please note, Rockstar Games might change membership benefits in the future. For now, this is what is available as of this writing.

• A revenue stream of GTA$500,000 deposited monthly to your Maze Bank account and access to:
• The Vinewood Club amenities including a spacious 100-car garage, vehicle discounts, test drives, and claimable bonus vehicles.
• Special liveries and unique apparel options.
• Member-only Shark Cards with 15% bonus GTA$.
• Enhanced CEO and VIP perks, and much more.
• A selection of classic Rockstar Games to play.
  
  

Are San Andreas, Liberty City, and Vice City real?

San Andreas, Liberty City, and Vice City are technically real…from a certain point of view. Vice City is based on Miami, Florida. San Andreas is a fictional version of San Francisco and San Andreas mixed together. A real town named San Andreas exists in California, but it has no relationship with the fictional location in the GTA series. Liberty City is based on New York City, however, there are real world locations with the name.

Is GTA appropriate for kids?

Everyone has their own standard for what they feel is appropriate for their kid. However, the GTA games have a lot of content that most parents would find inappropriate. The games glorify crime (it’s right there in the title), and there’s also plenty of sex and violence. As the franchise has gone on, the sex and violence has grown more detailed.

Popverse won’t tell you how to parent your kid, but our opinion is this….

• Preschool age – Definitely not!!!!
• Elementary school age – No.
• Middle school age – Depends on the child and their sense of reality.
• High school age – Have fun with GTA

Now you have everything you need to begin playing the GTA franchise. Enjoy exploring San Andreas, Vice City, Liberty City, and beyond!

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