Quick answer: Our ranking puts Grand Theft Auto V at the top, followed by Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Vice City remains one of the strongest entries for atmosphere and music, while GTA III deserves recognition for transforming the series into a 3D open-world phenomenon. The original GTA and GTA 2 rank lower mainly because later entries expanded so dramatically on their ideas.
TL;DR – The Best Grand Theft Auto Games Ranked
| Rank | Game | What Makes It Stand Out |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Theft Auto V | Huge world, three protagonists, side activities, GTA Online |
| 2 | Grand Theft Auto IV | Story, atmosphere, characters, physics, gunplay |
| 3 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | World variety, customization, RPG systems, side content |
| 4 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | 1980s atmosphere, soundtrack, style |
| 5 | Grand Theft Auto III | Revolutionary transition to a 3D open world |
| 6 | Grand Theft Auto 2 | Gang reputation system and improved top-down gameplay |
| 7 | Grand Theft Auto | The foundation of the entire series |
Table of Contents
- The Best Grand Theft Auto Games – Major GTA Games Ranked
- Grand Theft Auto (1997)
- 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 IV (2008)
- Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto Games on G2A.COM
- Grand Theft Auto FAQ
- Conclusion
It’s time to rank Grand Theft Auto games. Let’s go through each major entry, one by one, and see what made each game special.
The Best Grand Theft Auto Games – Major GTA Games Ranked
The wait for GTA 6 is finally drawing to an end. The final months before its release are the perfect opportunity to catch up on the older games in the series, jog your memory, and revisit the best GTA games ever made.
GTA VI is getting close: Rockstar currently has Grand Theft Auto VI scheduled for November 19, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. For the latest details, check the GTA VI release date, editions, story, and platforms guide on G2A News.
Today we’ll be ranking all the major Grand Theft Auto releases to find out which one has stood the test of time and which can be considered the best of them all.
Keep in mind that our list is highly subjective. Opinions will naturally vary, so, depending on what makes or breaks a game for you, you may disagree with some of our rankings. Every GTA game is highly polished, but each excels in different areas. Our goal is to rank them by weighing all of their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll do our best to make our reasoning clear.
Without further ado, here’s a list of the best Grand Theft Auto games, starting with the lowest-ranked entry.
Grand Theft Auto (1997)
The original GTA from 1997 is by no means a bad game, but compared to the newer titles from the series it’s clearly lagging behind.
By combining living cities, an unprecedented amount of freedom, controversial gameplay mechanics, and a lot of humor, the game offered players a novel experience that left a lasting impression. The game was a huge technical achievement at the time and deserves praise for laying the foundation for what was to come in the future.
Even though the game looks pretty dated by today’s standards and can be difficult to navigate, you might be surprised by how fun it still is. In an era where major developers chase hyper-realistic visuals, playing a top-down, low-resolution game with a clear and distinctive art direction feels a bit like playing a well-executed indie title. It may be exactly the kind of breath of fresh air we need.
For another look back at where everything started, check out G2A News’ retrospective on the original Grand Theft Auto.
Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
The second major entry in the GTA series is a direct improvement over its predecessor in virtually every respect, so it’s natural that it should be placed higher. With that being said, placing it any higher than this would devalue all the achievements and improvements introduced by all the other GTA games that came after it.
GTA 2 offered a larger world with improved controls and greater mission variety, resulting in a much more enjoyable experience overall. It retained the original’s humorous tone while introducing several important gameplay changes. Most notably, it introduced the syndicate reputation system, allowing players to earn reputation by completing missions for chosen rival gangs. Doing so unlocked more challenging missions but also created conflicts, as rival factions became increasingly hostile.
Still, a very fun game to return to, considering how different it is compared to the rest of the series, mainly due to its top-down perspective.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
With GTA III, we’re entering a more controversial part of the list, where rankings will definitely feel more divisive.
The third major installment in the GTA series was another important milestone on the road to creating a perfect city sandbox experience. For the first time ever, players had the opportunity to play GTA in full 3D in a third-person perspective, which was mind-blowing back in the day. It was undoubtedly the most immersive GTA game up to date.
If you were to return to this game today, though, you’d have to get used to its janky controls, which have not aged well at all. Vehicle variety was also reduced; we’ve got a game that looked more impressive but also felt emptier. The transition to 3D was a huge and important technological leap for the GTA series as a whole, but it came with a variety of drawbacks and limitations. In other words, GTA III walked so future games could run.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
When players praise GTA: Vice City, it’s difficult to tell whether it’s just nostalgia or whether there’s something more to it. If you jumped into the original game today, you’d quickly realize some of its annoyances, such as the inability to freely rotate the camera while inside a vehicle. A small thing, perhaps, but incredibly frustrating once you get used to the more modern controls of newer GTA titles.
What made people fall in love with Vice City was its overall vibe: an authentic Miami atmosphere inspired by the ‘80s and the golden era of American action movies. Neons, beaches, nightlife, palm trees – all of that created a memorable experience and left vivid images in people’s minds.
Let’s also not forget the game’s soundtrack. The music selection in Vice City is considered by many to be the best the series has ever had, even to this day.
Had the game featured a slightly bigger map and more customization options, perhaps Vice City would’ve ranked one or two positions higher.
Vice City is especially relevant again ahead of GTA VI. G2A News has a dedicated GTA VI vs. GTA: Vice City locations comparison.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
GTA: San Andreas holds up surprisingly well to this day. Sure, the visuals may be outdated compared to newer titles from the series, but the game doesn’t look bad at all. This is partly because it never tried to mimic reality; games that do often lose their visual appeal relatively quickly. San Andreas today feels more like a deliberately stylized game rather than a title that has simply aged poorly; its art direction holds the game together, and sunsets here look as beautiful and memorable as ever.
But that’s not what made the game loved by many. The main strengths of San Andreas lie elsewhere. First, there is the huge open-world environment that combines cities, countryside, deserts, mountains, and forests, creating a world with great visual variety. Then there are the many customization options and side activities. For example, you can learn several different martial arts, compared to other games in the series, where you are limited to simple punches and kicks.
There are also RPG elements: you can gain weight by eating, and this affects not only your physical abilities by reducing your sprinting stamina; it also changes your physical appearance. You can also go to the gym to improve your muscles.
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
GTA IV was a huge shift in terms of atmosphere. It was so different that, to some long-time fans of the series, it didn’t feel like a GTA game anymore. It was dark, gritty, and down to earth. The colors were muted, which, combined with the fact that the entire game took place in a huge city inspired by New York, could evoke a sense of depression and sadness. But it was also charming in its own way. It’s probably the most authentic GTA game of them all. Humor and satire were toned down a bit but were still present in large quantities.
The game had fewer customization options and a smaller selection of vehicle types, but it compensated for that in other areas. For example, the emotional story of GTA IV is considered the best in the franchise by many people. Its characters were charismatic and memorable, and relationships felt more personal.
The game also featured slightly over-tuned ragdoll physics, which often led to hilarious situations. Was it realistic? Not necessarily, but it sure was fun watching Niko fly for what felt like an eternity.
It’s also worth mentioning the gunplay in GTA IV. Thanks to the game’s amazing sound design, gunshots felt impactful and very satisfying. It’s a well-deserved second place.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
The first place belongs to GTA V, and there are several reasons why. Even though it’s not a perfect game and has its weaknesses, it also improved or expanded upon many gameplay mechanics known from previous games in the series.
GTA V offers a huge, varied world similar to San Andreas, which shouldn’t be surprising, as both games take place in the same fictional area. The story is full of action and charismatic characters; it also returns to the series’ roots when it comes to humor, in contrast to the more serious and mature predecessor. The visuals are also gorgeous, and side activities were once again a huge part of the game, allowing players to play tennis, golf, complete flight challenges, hunt animals, or even invest in the stock market.
The biggest weakness of GTA V, which is paradoxically also its biggest strength, is the continuously updated online mode. If you’re playing exclusively solo, you’re missing out on a ton of side content that could keep you occupied for months. That’s where you can build your own criminal empire, do all kinds of fun heists with other people, try new weapons and drive a huge selection of new vehicles, make use of new customization options, participate in ongoing events, and more. You could argue that it’s unfair that all this additional content hasn’t made its way into the single-player campaign, but that’s just how it is.
But even if you ignore online mode, GTA V has a lot of high-quality stuff to offer.
If GTA VI has put you in the mood for another trip to Los Santos, G2A News has also answered the question should you play GTA V before GTA VI?
Grand Theft Auto Games on G2A.COM
If ranking the series has convinced you to revisit Liberty City, Vice City, San Andreas, or Los Santos before GTA VI arrives, several Grand Theft Auto releases currently have active marketplace offers on G2A.COM.
Build Your GTA Collection for Less
G2A Plus can provide member pricing and Plus Points on eligible marketplace purchases, alongside additional membership benefits.
Grand Theft Auto Games FAQ
What is the best GTA game?
In this ranking, Grand Theft Auto V takes first place thanks to its huge open world, three protagonists, extensive side activities, polished gameplay, and the enormous amount of additional content available through GTA Online.
Which GTA game has the best story?
Grand Theft Auto IV is one of the strongest candidates. Niko Bellic’s story is darker and more personal than most other GTA campaigns, with memorable characters and a more grounded tone.
Which GTA game has the best map?
GTA V and San Andreas are particularly strong if variety matters. Both combine dense urban environments with countryside and wilderness, while San Andreas also includes multiple major cities.
Which GTA game has the best atmosphere?
Vice City remains difficult to beat thanks to its 1980s Miami-inspired aesthetic, neon nightlife, beaches, palm trees, and famous soundtrack. GTA IV offers a very different but equally distinctive version of Liberty City.
Should you play older GTA games before GTA VI?
You do not need to play the earlier games to understand GTA VI, but revisiting GTA V or Vice City can provide useful context for how Rockstar’s open-world design has evolved and why the return to Vice City matters.
When is GTA VI coming out?
Grand Theft Auto VI is currently scheduled for November 19, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Conclusion
You probably noticed that the games are listed in release order, and it’s not a mistake. The Grand Theft Auto series is a great example of how a franchise can continuously grow and improve, with each new installment often surpassing the last.
However, depending on what you value most in video games, you might have a different opinion. It’s not uncommon to see people praise older games more highly. Story, music, atmosphere, available customization options, or even vehicle selection – all of these can influence how you perceive each GTA game.
Will GTA VI continue the trend and beat the previous games? It better, after making us wait all these years! b