When Rockstar Games released the first GTA title in 1997, they truly announced their presence. Of course, it was developed by Rockstar North and Rockstar Lincoln. Since then, the franchise has become a mainstay in the gaming industry, and one of the most successful franchises. GTA started as a 2D game before Rockstar Games upgraded to 3D with GTA 3 and surprised the world. That marked the beginning of the 3D Universe. Fast forward to today, the world awaits GTA 6 which is expected to be the most expensive game of all time.

After the 3D Universe, Rockstar Games made another transition and this time it was by making a huge leap in the graphics and physics of the game. This came to be known as the HD universe, which started with GTA 4. Then with GTA 5, the developer took the franchise to new heights, becoming the most successful GTA title, and remains just as popular today as it did when it came out back in 2013. Over the years, the games kept getting graphically and mechanically better. But does this make the newer games better than the older ones? Let’s answer this question by ranking all GTA games from worst to best.

All GTA entries ranked from lowest to highest

11. Grand Theft Auto and GTA London:1969

Starting with the first game in the series, but the last rank on our list. This game was where it all started. Developed by DMA Design before the formation of Rockstar Games, the original Grand Theft Auto hit PC screens in 1998. Despite its top-down perspective and mixed critical reception, the game laid the foundation for the series.

It introduced players to the thrilling life of a virtual criminal in a 2D open world. Although it is the last game in here, it is not because it was a bad game, but because GTA games got significantly better after this. The GTA London games are expansions for the game that players could purchase the disk of after the game was completed to get more content for the original GTA game.

10. Grand Theft Auto II

Following the original in 1999, GTA II retained the top-down perspective but enhanced visuals and added multiplayer functionality. The game was quite fun to play and was a step up compared to the original, but around this time, it felt like the devs were still finding their voice.

The game’s departure from a narrative focus, set the stage for the series to embrace 3D open-world experiences. While this game is a classic, the GTA franchise is better known for its 3D games and open worlds.

9. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

In 2009, GTA: Chinatown Wars embraced change, stepping onto handheld devices like the Nintendo DS and PSP. Departing from conventions with its art style and top-down perspective, the game starred Huang Lee, offering a fresh take on the criminal underworld. Chinatown Wars stood out for its innovation, proving that portable gaming could deliver a meaningful GTA experience, but its isometric camera style is not its best look.

The story takes players back to Liberty City to show a different perspective of the place. The game made use of the secondary touch screen of the DS, which was a nice touch, but for a 2009 GTA game, Rockstar has done better.

8. Grand Theft Auto Advanced

This entry was made specifically for the GameBoy Advanced and it was the only game that was released for the handheld. In Grand Theft Auto Advanced Rockstar gives players a chance to explore Liberty City and gives players a chance to see what happens in the city a year before the events of GTA 3. Players take on the role of Mike who is out to find out who killed his friend Vinnie and avenge him. The game has bright colors and some iconic vehicles like the Banshee, Coach, Fire Trucks, and Tanks, and it’s nice to see that the cars in the game are consistent throughout the years.

7. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

In 2005, Liberty City Stories emerged as a prequel to GTA III, breaking ground as the first 3D entry on a portable console, the PSP. Capturing the essence of its larger counterparts, Liberty City Stories successfully translated the GTA experience to handheld devices.

The game looked pretty good, considering the time it was released. The game was the second time Rockstar took players to Liberty City, but the experience fell short in comparison to the original 3D game.

6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

Debuting in 2006 for PSP and later on PS2, Vice City Stories served as a prequel to the beloved Vice City. It followed Victor “Vic” Vance’s efforts to build a criminal empire in Vice City in the year 1984. The game improved upon its predecessor with a better storyline and polished graphics.

The events of the games take place before GTA Vice City, giving players a look at the history of the city. But with that said, it still does not compare to GTA Vice City, as the story of the classic game has been etched into our minds.

5. Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto III, released in 2001, was a shift for the series as Rockstar decided that it was time to stop with 2D and make the series a 3D game. Set in Liberty City, the game was the first one to introduce a detailed 3D open world to the franchise. Today, GTA III is a cult classic game with players still playing it today. The storyline is still entertaining and among all the games based in Liberty City. Although the devs were busy working on reshaping the dimensions of the game, the storyline and experience make it such a great entry into the series.

4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Released just a year after GTA III, Vice City took players back in time to 1986. Set in a fictional version of Miami, Vice City is built upon the open-world structure of its predecessor, introducing new elements and mechanics.

The game’s theme is heavily influenced by Scarface and Miami Vice, which take players back to the 80s. Vice City remains one of the few GTA games to set its story in the past. The game’s visual style and storyline is what gets it the 4th rank on the list.

3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

GTA: San Andreas, released in 2004 for PS2 and Xbox, was a monumental achievement in open-world gaming. Set in a vast world based on Los Angeles and other areas, the game introduced RPG elements, such as the ability of the protagonist CJ to gain or lose weight based on his actions.

The game also gave players turf wars, which is probably one of the best mechanics introduced in any GTA game. Beyond that, the storyline is one of the best in all of the series.

2. Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV was released in 2008 for PS3 and Xbox 360. It was a highly anticipated follow-up to GTA: San Andreas. The game introduced a more realistic portrayal of Liberty City, modeled after New York City. The storyline follows the immigrant Nico Bellic as he navigates the challenges of making a new life in America. But what makes GTA IV so great are the DLCs that give players more to do in the game. Along with introducing multiplayer modes that gave way to GTA Online in the future.

1. Grand Theft Auto V 

Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, was a huge leap from everything else that the series had done so far. This game introduced realistic mechanics like a phone and internet which shows how well Rockstar progresses with time. Players can switch seamlessly between a story that lets them play through the lives of 3 characters. GTA V is so successful that it accounts for almost half the franchise sales with 190 million units as of late last year, also making it one of the most successful games of all time!

GTA Online makes the game a whole new story, giving players a vast second lifelike experience. The game is over 10 years old now and the devs are still milking it for all it’s worth. It has become their cash cow. The graphics still stand out as Rockstar Games continues to update the game and online gives players unlimited playability. That is what makes GTA V rank 1 game on our list.

So about our question before, do new games mean better? Not necessarily. Although our top 2 games were the latest installments in the series, GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas have always been among the best games of all time. Vice City and San Andreas also remain cult classics. But GTA V ranking first is a no brainer as it leaves the other GTA titles far behind in every aspect. How would you rank th eGTA games?

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