GTA Games: 9 Legendary Titles From 1997 to GTA 6
When discussing open-world gaming, few franchises have had a greater impact than GTA Games. Since Rockstar released the first Grand Theft Auto in 1997, the series has continuously redefined what players expect from action-adventure games.
Over nearly three decades, the franchise has evolved from a simple top-down crime game into one of the biggest entertainment brands in history. Every release introduced new ideas, larger worlds, memorable characters, and technological breakthroughs that influenced countless other games.
Today, GTA is more than just a video game series. It is a cultural phenomenon that has sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide while setting new standards for storytelling, freedom, and open-world design.
Whether you’re discovering the franchise for the first time or revisiting the classics before GTA VI launches, this guide explores every major title, its release date, why it mattered, and how it helped shape gaming history.
GTA Games Timeline
| Game | Release | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| GTA | 1997 | Liberty City, Vice City & San Andreas |
| GTA: London 1969 | 1999 | London |
| GTA 2 | 1999 | Anywhere City |
| GTA III | 2001 | Liberty City |
| Vice City | 2002 | Vice City |
| San Andreas | 2004 | San Andreas |
| GTA IV | 2008 | Liberty City |
| GTA V | 2013 | Los Santos |
| GTA VI | 2026 | Vice City & Leonida |
Grand Theft Auto (1997)
Release Date: 28 November 1997
The original GTA looked nothing like the modern games we know today. Instead of a 3D world, players viewed the action from above while completing missions across Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas.
Although simple by today’s standards, the game introduced complete freedom. Players could steal vehicles, ignore missions, explore cities, and create chaos—something that was revolutionary in the late 1990s.
Why It Was Important
- First open-world crime sandbox
- Freedom unlike any other game
- Multiple cities
- Foundation of the entire franchise
Although sales were modest compared with modern releases, GTA quickly became famous because of its controversial gameplay and unlimited freedom.
GTA: London 1969 (1999)
Release Date: 30 April 1999
Instead of returning to American cities, Rockstar surprised players by moving the action to London during the late 1960s.
The expansion introduced British gangs, classic vehicles, new dialogue, and a completely different atmosphere.
Although it wasn’t one of the biggest commercial successes, it showed Rockstar’s willingness to experiment with different settings.
Biggest Improvements
- New city
- British-inspired missions
- Different soundtrack
- Expanded criminal organizations
GTA 2 (1999)
Release Date: 22 October 1999
GTA 2 was the final top-down game before Rockstar changed gaming forever.
Players explored Anywhere City while building relationships with different criminal gangs. Depending on which gang players supported, missions and the world reacted differently.
This reputation system became one of GTA 2’s most innovative ideas.
Major Features
- Improved graphics
- Better AI
- Gang reputation system
- Larger missions
- More detailed city
GTA 2 proved Rockstar wanted to build something much larger than a simple driving game.
🔗 Official Resource: Rockstar Games
GTA Games changed forever with the arrival of Grand Theft Auto III. The franchise entered the 3D era and quickly became the benchmark for open-world gaming.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
Release Date: 22 October 2001
Everything changed with GTA III.
Rockstar transformed the franchise from a top-down game into a fully explorable 3D world.
Players controlled Claude through Liberty City while experiencing cinematic missions, voice acting, radio stations, and complete freedom inside a living city.
Many gaming historians consider GTA III one of the most influential video games ever created.
Why GTA III Changed Gaming
- First fully 3D GTA
- Open-world freedom
- Cinematic storytelling
- Dynamic radio stations
- Living city with realistic traffic
GTA III inspired countless future franchises including Saints Row, Mafia, Watch Dogs, Sleeping Dogs, and many other open-world games.
➡ Read Also: GTA 6 Latest Updates and Official Release News
➡ Read Also: The New Era of Gaming Technology
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
Release Date: 29 October 2002
Vice City remains one of the most beloved entries in GTA history.
Inspired by Miami during the 1980s, players stepped into the role of Tommy Vercetti while building a criminal empire across one of Rockstar’s most memorable cities.
Its colorful atmosphere, legendary soundtrack, neon streets, and unforgettable characters made Vice City an instant classic.
Why Players Still Love Vice City
- Incredible 1980s soundtrack
- Beautiful tropical setting
- Strong story
- Iconic protagonist
- Business ownership system
Vice City proved Rockstar could combine storytelling, atmosphere, and gameplay into a masterpiece that continues to influence modern open-world games.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
Release Date: 26 October 2004
Platforms:
PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC, Android, iOS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Setting:
San Andreas (Los Santos, San Fierro & Las Venturas)
Main Character:
Carl “CJ” Johnson
For many fans, San Andreas remains the greatest GTA ever made. Rockstar dramatically expanded the open-world formula by introducing three fully explorable cities connected by countryside, deserts, forests, and small towns.
The story follows Carl Johnson as he returns home after his mother’s death and becomes involved in gang conflicts, corruption, and family struggles.
The amount of freedom was unprecedented.
Major Innovations
Players could now:
- customize vehicles
- buy houses
- change clothes
- build muscle or gain weight
- learn fighting styles
- recruit gang members
- fly aircraft
- ride trains
- gamble in casinos
No other open-world game at the time offered so many activities.
San Andreas quickly became one of Rockstar’s biggest successes and is still considered one of gaming’s greatest masterpieces.
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
Release Date: 29 April 2008
Platforms:
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Setting:
Liberty City
Main Character:
Niko Bellic
After the enormous success of San Andreas, Rockstar decided to take a different direction.
Instead of making the world even bigger, the studio focused on realism.
Powered by the brand-new RAGE engine, GTA IV introduced realistic physics, improved animations, advanced AI, and one of the strongest stories in the franchise.
Niko Bellic became one of Rockstar’s most memorable protagonists thanks to his emotional journey through Liberty City.
Why GTA IV Was Important
Major improvements included:
- realistic vehicle physics
- advanced NPC behavior
- dynamic weather
- improved combat
- online multiplayer
Although some players missed features from San Andreas, critics praised GTA IV for its storytelling and technical achievements.
By 2013, GTA Games had become one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world. GTA V raised expectations once again through its massive world and innovative gameplay.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Release Date: 17 September 2013
Platforms:
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Setting:
Los Santos & Blaine County
Main Characters
- Michael De Santa
- Franklin Clinton
- Trevor Philips
GTA V became Rockstar’s biggest success.
Instead of focusing on a single protagonist, Rockstar introduced three playable characters whose stories connected throughout the game.
The world became larger, more alive, and filled with activities.
Players could:
- invest in the stock market
- customize businesses
- purchase luxury properties
- complete large-scale heists
- explore mountains and oceans
- participate in sports
- modify hundreds of vehicles
The game set a completely new benchmark for open-world design.
GTA Online Changed Everything
While GTA V’s story mode was exceptional, GTA Online became an even bigger success.
Rockstar continued releasing updates for more than a decade, introducing:
- businesses
- new vehicles
- heists
- multiplayer events
- roleplay opportunities
- seasonal content
This long-term support kept millions of players active and helped GTA V become one of the best-selling entertainment products ever created.
🔗 Official Resource: Rockstar Games – GTA V
Grand Theft Auto VI (2026)
Release Date:
19 November 2026
Platforms (Launch)
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
Setting
Vice City and the fictional state of Leonida
Main Characters
- Lucia Caminos
- Jason Duval
After waiting more than 13 years, Rockstar is finally bringing players back to Vice City.
GTA VI promises:
- Rockstar’s largest open world ever
- significantly smarter AI
- realistic NPC routines
- improved police systems
- dynamic weather
- expanded interiors
- better driving mechanics
- next-generation graphics
The game is expected to redefine open-world gaming once again.
🔗 Official Resource: Rockstar Newswire
The commercial success of GTA Games has been extraordinary. Every major release has sold millions of copies while helping Rockstar become one of the most successful game developers in history.
GTA Sales Comparison
The GTA franchise has achieved extraordinary commercial success throughout its history.
| Game | Estimated Sales |
|---|---|
| GTA | ~3 million |
| GTA 2 | ~2 million |
| GTA III | 14+ million |
| Vice City | 17+ million |
| San Andreas | 27+ million |
| GTA IV | 25+ million |
| GTA V | 215+ million |
| GTA VI | Yet to be released |
GTA V remains one of the best-selling video games of all time, proving how successful Rockstar’s long-term support strategy has been.
How GTA Changed Gaming Forever
The Grand Theft Auto franchise has influenced nearly every modern open-world game.
Its biggest contributions include:
- true open-world freedom
- cinematic storytelling
- dynamic NPC behavior
- realistic cities
- licensed radio stations
- mission variety
- online multiplayer evolution
Many successful franchises—including Saints Row, Watch Dogs, Sleeping Dogs, Mafia, and Cyberpunk 2077—borrowed ideas that GTA popularized.
Rockstar continuously raised the standard for what players expect from an open-world experience.
Why GTA Still Dominates
Nearly three decades after the first release, GTA continues to attract millions of players because Rockstar rarely rushes development.
Each new title introduces meaningful improvements instead of small yearly updates. This approach has helped the series maintain an exceptional reputation among gamers.
With GTA VI launching in late 2026, the franchise is entering a new generation that promises larger worlds, smarter AI, and more immersive gameplay than ever before.
Few franchises have influenced gaming like GTA Games. Every release introduced new technology, memorable stories, and innovations that inspired developers around the world.
Final Verdict
From the simple top-down streets of Grand Theft Auto (1997) to the massive next-generation world of GTA VI, the GTA series has transformed the gaming industry.
Every title introduced something new—whether it was GTA III’s revolutionary 3D world, Vice City’s unforgettable atmosphere, San Andreas’ unmatched freedom, GTA IV’s realism, or GTA V’s record-breaking online experience.
As GTA VI prepares to launch, Rockstar once again has the opportunity to redefine open-world gaming for the next decade. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, the evolution of GTA Games proves why the franchise remains one of the most legendary in gaming history.
