All GTA Games in Order (Release & Chronological)
Team StanShop
~4 min
The Grand Theft Auto series has 17 releases since 1997, and GTA 6 becomes the 18th on November 19, 2026. That makes listing the GTA games in order trickier than it sounds. Release dates tell one story, while in-game years tell another. Below, you'll find every game sorted both ways, plus a play order that actually makes sense.
How many GTA Games are there?
There are a total of 17 GTA games out now, and GTA 6 makes it 18. That number includes main entries, expansion packs, handheld spin-offs, GTA Online and one full remaster. Only eight of them are mainline games. The other nine are add-ons, portable spin-offs, GTA Online or a remaster. See all of them classified by their type:
| Type | Count | Games |
| Main series | 8 | Grand Theft Auto, GTA 2, GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA IV, GTA V, GTA VI |
| Expansion packs | 4 | London 1969, London 1961, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony |
| Handheld games | 4 | GTA Advance, Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, Chinatown Wars |
| Online and remasters | 2 | GTA Online, The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition |
The Three GTA Universes, Explained
Before sorting the games by story, you need one key fact. GTA doesn't follow a single timeline. Rockstar splits the series into three separate universes, named after the graphics of each era. City names, brands and radio hosts repeat across them. Main characters never cross over, though. That's why GTA III's Liberty City and GTA IV's Liberty City are completely different places.
| Universe | Games | Release Window |
| 2D Universe | Grand Theft Auto, London 1969, London 1961, GTA 2 | 1997 to 1999 |
| 3D Universe | GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA Advance, Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories | 2001 to 2006 |
| HD Universe | GTA IV, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony, Chinatown Wars, GTA V, GTA Online, GTA VI (expected) | 2008 to 2026 |
All GTA Games in Release Order
Here's every GTA game sorted by its original release year:
| # | Game | Release Year | Original Platforms |
| 1 | Grand Theft Auto | 1997 | PC, PlayStation (1998) |
| 2 | GTA: London 1969 | 1999 | PC, PlayStation |
| 3 | GTA: London 1961 | 1999 | PC |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto 2 | 1999 | PC, PlayStation |
| 5 | Grand Theft Auto III | 2001 | PlayStation 2 |
| 6 | GTA: Vice City | 2002 | PlayStation 2 |
| 7 | GTA: San Andreas | 2004 | PlayStation 2 |
| 8 | GTA Advance | 2004 | Game Boy Advance |
| 9 | GTA: Liberty City Stories | 2005 | PSP |
| 10 | GTA: Vice City Stories | 2006 | PSP |
| 11 | Grand Theft Auto IV | 2008 | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| 12 | GTA IV: The Lost and Damned | 2009 | Xbox 360 |
| 13 | GTA: Chinatown Wars | 2009 | Nintendo DS |
| 14 | GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony | 2009 | Xbox 360 |
| 15 | Grand Theft Auto V | 2013 | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| 16 | GTA Online | 2013 | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| 17 | GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition | 2021 | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC |
| 18 | Grand Theft Auto VI | 2026 (November 19) | PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
1997 to 1999: The Start of Grand Theft Auto
The first Grand Theft Auto came from DMA Design, the Scottish studio now known as Rockstar North. You viewed everything from above, stole cars and chased high scores across three cities. Two London expansions followed in 1999, along with GTA 2. These games played more like arcade chaos than the cinematic crime stories fans know today.
2001 to 2006: The PS2 Era That Changed Open Worlds
GTA III moved the series into full 3D in 2001, and open-world games haven't been the same since. Vice City added a voiced lead and a neon-soaked 1980s Miami. San Andreas went even bigger, with three cities, open countryside and character customization. Rockstar then filled story gaps with handheld prequels on PSP, which later reached PS2 too.
2008 to 2013: The HD Era
GTA IV swapped the cartoonish edge for a grounded immigrant story in a near-perfect copy of New York. Two 2009 episodes then retold the same period from new angles. GTA V followed with three playable leads and has now sold more than 225 million copies. GTA Online launched two weeks later and has kept growing ever since.
2021 to 2026: Remasters and the Road to GTA 6
The Definitive Edition remastered GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas in 2021. Its buggy launch drew heavy criticism, yet it's still the simplest way to play those classics on current consoles. After that came the long wait. GTA 6 arrives 13 years after GTA V, the longest gap between mainline games in the series.
All GTA Games in Chronological Order (Story Timeline)
This is the GTA timeline sorted by the year each story takes place. We've left out the Definitive Edition since it retells existing stories. The universe column shows which games actually connect.
| # | Game | Year Set | Setting | Universe |
| 1 | GTA: London 1961 | 1961 | London | 2D |
| 2 | GTA: London 1969 | 1969 | London | 2D |
| 3 | GTA: Vice City Stories | 1984 | Vice City | 3D |
| 4 | GTA: Vice City | 1986 | Vice City | 3D |
| 5 | GTA: San Andreas | 1992 | Los Santos, San Fierro, Las Venturas | 3D |
| 6 | GTA: Liberty City Stories | 1998 | Liberty City | 3D |
| 7 | GTA Advance | 2000 | Liberty City | 3D |
| 8 | Grand Theft Auto III | 2001 | Liberty City | 3D |
| 9 | GTA IV, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony | 2008 | Liberty City | HD |
| 10 | GTA: Chinatown Wars | 2009 | Liberty City | HD |
| 11 | Grand Theft Auto V | 2013 | Los Santos, Blaine County | HD |
| 12 | GTA Online | 2013 onward | Los Santos and beyond | HD |
| 13 | Grand Theft Auto VI | Present day | Vice City, Leonida | HD (expected) |
| – | Grand Theft Auto | Not stated (late 1990s) | Liberty City, San Andreas, Vice City | 2D |
| – | Grand Theft Auto 2 | Unclear | Anywhere City | 2D |
GTA 6: Release Date, Platforms and Where It Fits
Grand Theft Auto VI launches on Thursday, November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. That's now less than six weeks away. Digital pre-load opens on November 12, while a PC version still has no date. The story heads to a modern Vice City inside Leonida, Rockstar's take on Florida. You play as Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, a criminal couple working Leonida's underworld.
Fans last explored Vice City in the 1980s-set 3D games. GTA 6 rebuilds it for the present day. That makes it the natural endpoint of any GTA timeline.
Our GTA 6 release date guide covers the editions, pre-order bonuses and launch timeline in detail. For a closer look at the new systems, read our GTA 6 gameplay breakdown. Buying digitally? Load your wallet early with a PlayStation Store Gift Card or an Xbox Gift Card.
Which Order Should You Play the GTA Games in?
Strict chronological order sounds neat on paper. In practice, it's not the smartest route. The 2D games feel dated and don't connect to anything else. Release order shows how the series grew, but a 1997 top-down game can kill your interest fast. Pick a route based on what you actually want.
- New to GTA: Start with GTA V, then play GTA IV and its two episodes. You'll get the best HD universe stories before GTA 6 arrives.
- Story fans: Follow the 3D universe in story order. That means Vice City Stories, Vice City, San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, then GTA III. Skip GTA Advance unless you can find it, since it's tough to get today.
- Short on time: Finish GTA V's story, then replay Vice City in the Definitive Edition. Seeing the 1980s version first makes GTA 6's Vice City more fun to explore.
- Online players: Start GTA Online now and learn its heists and businesses. A GTA 5 Shark Cash Card helps if you want property or vehicles without the grind.
You can grab a GTA 5 digital code for Xbox on StanShop. PC players can top up with a Steam Wallet gift card instead. Already finished GTA V? Try Red Dead Redemption 2 next. GTA 6's Criminal Profile system builds on its Honor mechanic, so it's a useful warm-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many GTA games are there?
There are 17 GTA releases so far, counting expansions, handheld games, GTA Online and the 2021 remaster. GTA 6 becomes the 18th on November 19, 2026. Only eight are mainline games.
2. What is the first GTA game?
Grand Theft Auto, released in 1997 for PC, is the first game by release date. By story, GTA: London 1961 comes first, since it takes place in 1961.
3. Is San Andreas before or after Vice City?
San Andreas comes after Vice City in both orders. Vice City released in 2002 and takes place in 1986. San Andreas released in 2004 and takes place in 1992.
4. Do you need to play the GTA games in order?
No. Each mainline game tells a standalone story. Playing in order only adds real value within the 3D universe, where recurring characters link the prequels to GTA III.
5. Is GTA 6 connected to GTA 5?
Rockstar hasn't confirmed any direct story link. GTA 6 has a new setting in Leonida and new leads in Jason and Lucia. It's widely expected to share GTA 5's HD universe.
6. When does GTA 6 come out?
GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Digital pre-load opens on November 12. Rockstar hasn't announced a PC release date yet.
7. Which GTA game should I play first?
GTA V is the best starting point for most players. It looks modern, plays smoothly and still gets support through GTA Online.
Why be Average?
Get Grand Theft Auto V Steam Wallet Recharge - Game Key - INDIA on StanShop and save more on every order.
Buy NowRead Similar Blogs
Everything We Know About GTA 6: Release Date, Features, Map and Story
GTA 6 arrives on November 19, 2026, after two delays and a 13-year wait since GTA V. Rockstar has finally shown the story, the world, and nearly half an hour of in-game footage. Here's everything we know about GTA 6, from price and platforms to the features that change how it plays. Rumors get their own section, so you know what to trust.
~5 min
GTA 6 Online Wishlist: 10 Features Players Want in Leonida's Multiplayer
GTA 6 launches next month, but it ships without multiplayer. Take-Two calls it a single-player title, so GTA 6 Online arrives later. That wait has turned every forum and comment section into a suggestion box. We sorted through the noise to find what players want most. Here's the GTA 6 Online wishlist, plus what Rockstar has actually confirmed.
~5 min
GTA 6 Interview: What Rockstar Revealed in Its Biggest Sit-Down Yet
Rockstar rarely talks at length, which makes this GTA 6 interview worth your time. Rob Nelson, Co-Studio Head at Rockstar North, played the game live while answering questions. The full transcript went public on October 7, 2026. Below, we break down everything he revealed, from smarter police to Jason and Lucia's optional romance.
~5 min