• September 26, 2025

Grand Theft Auto Game Order: Complete Play Sequence Guide & Timeline (2025)

So you wanna dive into the wild world of Grand Theft Auto but don't know where to start? Been there. When I first tried figuring out the Grand Theft Auto order of games, I spent hours clicking through confusing forums and outdated lists. Total headache. Let's fix that right now.

Why Getting the GTA Order Right Actually Matters

Look, you could just grab the latest game and shoot stuff. But if you care about how Rockstar's storytelling evolved or why certain characters keep popping up, the sequence makes a difference. I remember playing Vice City before III and being confused about why the controls felt clunky going backward. Not fun.

Getting the GTA series order wrong is like watching Godfather Part III first - technically possible but you miss all the nuance. We'll cover both release dates and timeline orders since fans argue about this constantly.

The Complete Grand Theft Auto Release Order

Here's every main entry plus expansions, spin-offs, and mobile ports. I've included where you can actually play them today because hunting down PS2 discs in 2023? Yeah, no.

Game Title Release Year Available On Special Notes
Grand Theft Auto 1997 PC (abandonware) Top-down perspective, three cities
GTA: London 1969 1999 PC (abandonware) Only expansion pack in series
Grand Theft Auto 2 1999 PC, PS1 (digital rare) Improved graphics, same top-down
GTA III 2001 Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch The 3D revolution starts here
GTA: Vice City 2002 Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch 80s Miami vibes, best soundtrack
GTA: San Andreas 2004 Android, iOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Massive map, RPG elements added
GTA: Liberty City Stories 2005 PSP (original), PS4, PS5 via streaming Prequel to GTA III, Toni Cipriani
GTA: Vice City Stories 2006 PSP (original), PS4, PS5 via streaming Building empires mechanic
GTA IV 2008 PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (backwards compatible) Darker tone, physics revolution
GTA: The Lost and Damned 2009 Bundled with GTA IV Complete Biker gang perspective
GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony 2009 Bundled with GTA IV Complete Nightclub drama, more action
GTA: Chinatown Wars 2009 iOS, Android, PSP, Nintendo DS Top-down revival, drug dealing mini-game
GTA V 2013 PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S Three protagonists, still updated
GTA Online 2013 (ongoing) All GTA V platforms Separate multiplayer universe

Pro tip: The Definitive Edition trilogy (III, VC, SA) fixes some bugs but adds new ones. Original PC versions with mods often look better. My modded San Andreas with 4K textures? Chef's kiss.

Grand Theft Auto Timeline Order Made Simple

Okay, story nerds - this is where things get messy. Rockstar never intended a Marvel-style universe. But after replaying them last year, I noticed subtle connections. Here's how the timelines overlap:

2D Universe (1997-1999)

  • Grand Theft Auto (Anywhere City)
  • GTA London 1969 (standalone expansion)
  • Grand Theft Auto 2 (Anywhere City future)

Totally disconnected stories. Just anarchic fun.

3D Universe (2001-2006)

Timeline Order Game Connections
1 GTA: Vice City Stories (1984) Shows Vic Vance before VC events
2 GTA: Vice City (1986) Tommy ruins Diaz's operation
3 GTA: San Andreas (1992) Catalina appears before GTA III
4 GTA: Liberty City Stories (1998) Toni works for Salvatore Leone
5 GTA: Advance (2000) Gang wars reference III characters
6 GTA III (2001) Claude's silent rampage

Heads up: Characters cross over but no continuous plot. Seeing Donald Love evolve from VC businessman to III cannibal? Wild stuff.

HD Universe (2008-Present)

  • GTA IV (2008) - Niko Bellic arrives
  • The Lost and Damned (2008 parallel)
  • The Ballad of Gay Tony (2008 parallel)
  • GTA V (2013) - New characters, same universe
  • GTA Online (current day)

Funny story - I spent weeks analyzing radio ads confirming HD universe connections. Found a car commercial in V referencing Niko's story. Neat easter egg.

Where to Buy & Play in 2023

Platform availability drives people nuts. Here's exactly where to get each game right now without jumping through hoops:

Game Best Purchase Option Price Range Performance Notes
III, VC, SA Definitive Edition (all platforms) $40-60 bundle Controversial remasters but convenient
GTA IV Complete Steam or Xbox Marketplace $20 sale price PC requires fan patches for modern systems
Liberty/Vice City Stories PS4/PS5 (PS Plus Premium) Subscription required Streaming only - internet dependent
GTA V Any digital storefront $20-$40 frequent sales PS5/XSX version has performance modes
Chinatown Wars iOS/Android App Store $10 one-time Touch controls decent, better with controller

Personal rant: Why can't Rockstar just properly port the Stories games? Having to stream Liberty City Stories feels like a crime against preservation.

Playing Order Recommendations

Based on 20 years of playing these games and countless forum debates, here's your no-BS guide:

For New Players

  • Start with GTA V - Most polished, still looks great
  • Then GTA IV - Appreciate physics improvements
  • San Andreas (Definitive) - Best 3D-era experience
  • Vice City - For atmosphere and music
  • GTA III - For historical curiosity

For Chronological Nerds

  • Vice City Stories (1984)
  • Vice City (1986)
  • San Andreas (1992)
  • Liberty City Stories (1998)
  • GTA III (2001)
  • GTA IV + DLCs (2008)
  • GTA V (2013)

Honest advice: Skip GTA 1 and 2 unless you're a historian. Clunky controls haven't aged well. I forced myself to finish them last year - respect the pioneers but oof.

What About GTA Online?

It's its own beast. Set after V's story but constantly evolving. Don't treat it as part of the main Grand Theft Auto order of games. More like a living theme park.

Burning Questions About Grand Theft Auto Game Order

Let's smash those recurring questions I see everywhere:

Do I need to play previous GTAs before V?

Nope. V has entirely new characters and location. You'll miss some radio jokes about Liberty City, but nothing crucial. My cousin started with V and understood everything.

Are the DLCs necessary for IV?

Not essential but recommended. Lost and Damned shows the biker perspective during Niko's story. Ballad of Gay Tony is actually more fun than main game in parts. That helicopter mission still gives me anxiety though.

Why is San Andreas considered the best?

Three reasons: Map diversity (cities, countryside, desert), RPG mechanics (gym, relationships), and pure ambition. Though honestly? The RC plane mission can die in a fire. Still mad about that 20 years later.

Is Vice City Stories worth tracking down?

Only for completionists. The empire-building mechanic is neat but clunky. Performance on PSP was rough - frame drops during chases. If you can stream it smoothly now, maybe.

What about the mobile ports?

Hit or miss. San Andreas mobile had game-breaking bugs at launch (fixed mostly). Touch controls work surprisingly well for shooting, but driving? Yeah, good luck with that. Use a Bluetooth controller.

When will GTA 6 release?

Your guess is as good as mine. Trailer confirmed Vice City setting. Probably 2025? Rockstar's taking forever but better polished than broken. I'd rather wait than get another Definitive Edition disaster.

Weird GTA Order Stuff Nobody Talks About

After replaying these recently, I noticed some odd chronology things:

  • Claude (GTA III protagonist) appears in San Andreas as a minor character years earlier - timeline hop?
  • Lazlow Jones evolves from VC shock jock to V's corporate sellout - best character arc nobody mentions
  • GTA IV's Liberty City has streets named after GTA III characters (Delancey St, Torrington)
  • HD universe has different brands (e.g. Sprunk vs Fizz)

Rockstar plays fast and loose with continuity. Don't sweat it too much.

Final Thoughts on Grand Theft Auto Games Sequence

Ultimately, how you experience the Grand Theft Auto order of games depends on your patience for older tech. If retro gaming isn't your thing, starting from GTA IV is totally valid. But playing III through V shows how open-world design evolved.

My personal ranking after replaying them all last summer?

  1. San Andreas (despite jank)
  2. GTA V (polished but less soul)
  3. Vice City (atmosphere king)
  4. GTA IV (best writing)
  5. GTA III (revolutionary but rough)

Whatever order you choose - turn off the map sometimes. Get lost. That's when GTA magic happens. I still remember finding the Ghost Car in San Andreas at 2AM back in 2004. No guide, just exploration. That's the real secret sauce.

Now go cause some digital mayhem.

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