All GTA Games in Order - Explore the Biggest Series in the Right Way
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GTA or Grand Theft Auto is indeed one of the most popular and the biggest game series in the world. Almost all of us have played this marvelous series and had our best childhood moments playing it. GTA games aren't directly related to each other as most of the games are self-contained. However, if you want to explore the GTA game series in the right way, then here is an article with all the GTA games in order to help you enjoy them better.
GTA Games in Order
If you love action games or adventure games, then GTA is indeed the best pick for you. It is one of the most popular series mainly developed by Rockstar North and was published by Rockstar Games. The gameplay of this splendid series is set in an open world in which players need to complete different missions to move forward in the game while actively engaging in various side activities. Major parts of this game series revolve around driving in the city, shooting, and occasional role-playing.
Now the question is, how many GTA games are there in total? You will be surprised to know that the GTA series has been around for approximately 21 years, and the franchise has released various action games. In order to make it easier for you to understand, we have divided the GTA series into three main categories: Main GTA Games, Expansion Games, and finally, the Handheld games. Continue reading to explore all GTA games.
Main GTA Games
GTA is like a super-exciting playground where you, as a protagonist of the story, are allowed to do anything and everything. If you are in the mood to drive a car feel free, want to shoot someone, go ahead, steal something precious or break into a house, you are free. Yes, you read it right. Now that you know the basic outline of the game let's explore all the GTA games in order.
Grand Theft Auto
Release Date: 1997
Platforms: PC, Game Boy Color, & PlayStation
When it comes to the main GTA games, Grand Theft Auto was the first game of the franchise and was a big hit. It was set in three cities: Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City, and each beautiful city is inspired by the real ones. Despite a wide range of updates, it is still super-fun and highly engaging.
It follows the story of a street hustler who explores the city while doing assignments and jobs. The game introduced a wide range of elements like open-world, weapons, violence, driving, and splendid emergency systems that react towards the actions of the player.
Yes, you read it right. It was perfectly designed to be a masterpiece of that time period. With top-notch graphics, magnificent music, and breezy gameplay, it is one of the best games in the GTA series.
Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
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Release: 1999
Platform: PC, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast & PlayStation
It is the second one among all GTA games in order and was introduced with various improvements like retro furnished city, new vehicles, and support to different platforms like Microsoft Windows and Dreamcast.
This one is set in a beautiful fictional town with three districts: downtown, residential, and industrial. It will take you to a nearby future, filled with jaw-dropping action scenes and thrilling moments.
In this part of the GTA series, you have to complete different tasks while robbing banks, like stealing vehicles, answering phones, and killing people. That's not it. You get to explore a lot of things like interacting with other players, killing cops, and stealing new weapons, which makes it more engaging and interesting.
Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001)
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Release: 2001
Platforms: Android, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation 2, Fire OS, OSX
If you are a fan of fighting games, then GTA 3 is a must-try for you. Released in the new millennium, it is one of the best games in the GTA series. This one was the first 3D GTA game with a remarkable emphasis on the narrative, making it highly engaging. It features a third-person camera approach which gives it a more realistic touch.
This part follows the storyline of a young bank robber who escapes from police custody and then works his way to becoming the king of the mafia world. One of the most engaging features of this game is that it asks the player to complete side missions while sticking to the storyline. The graphics are so realistic and advanced that the city feels like a generic modern-day city.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
Release: 2006
Platforms: PSN, PS2, PS3 & PSP
This one in the GTA series is a prequel to the most popular game GTA: Vice City. Though it is set and organized in the same location, this time, Miami city looks a bit different. For example, you will not find landmarks like Avery Construction because the game is set two years earlier.
However, the man who is still present is Victor Vance, and he is our protagonist. This time he is dishonorably fired from the army. Now he has to survive in the corrupt and drug-filled city, but somehow he ends up in a life full of crime. It features a beautiful 3D universe, aesthetics, and marvelous elements.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Release: 2004
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, Xbox 360, macOS, PS3, & PS4
This time the story is a little bit different. In this game, a family tragedy encourages our protagonist, who is a gangster named CJ, to return home to find out what actually happened. On his return, he sees that the city is now overrun by corruption and crime, and he needs to regain control to save it from the worst. With such an engaging storyline, the game won hearts and became remarkably popular.
The game pays higher emphasis on the story and the personality of different characters. It takes Carl on an action-packed journey of revenge with the intent to make everything right. This game is full of bloodshed and fights, which will keep you glued to your screen.
Grand Theft Auto 4
When it comes to all GTA games in order, Grand Theft Auto 4 is next on the list. It is again set in the super-exciting Liberty City. This one is available in HD and has unrivaled graphics and a detailed version of the Liberty City, making it more appealing.
Here, the game follows Niko Bellic, who comes to the beautiful Liberty City to pursue a good life, but unfortunately ends up with this indebted cousin. Now, our hero has to help his cousin to get out of all the troubles. You can do a lot of things here, like completing new exciting missions, setting standards, or following the Angels of Death. Packed with a lot of action and adventure, it is indeed a must-try.
Grand Theft Auto 5
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Release: 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
GTA 5 is one of the best-selling and most popular video games of all time, says Forbes. In this one, three criminals named Trevor, Franklin, and Michael form a team to carry out a series of heists. It is full of exciting experiences that take place in Los Santos. Now, what is exciting about this game? It allows you to shuffle between different players so that you can explore new perspectives of your mission. T
he actions, personalities, and features of different players add a new touch to the missions. Moreover, it helps you to dig deeply into the details and explore possibilities from different angles. This aim will take you on a different mission full of robberies, fast cars, and illegal activities.
Expansion Games
The GTA series is not limited to main games. As a result of its remarkable popularity, various extension games were also introduced by the Franchise. Below mentioned are the games involved in the expansion packs.
Grand Theft Auto: London 1961
Release: 1999
Platforms: MS-DOS, PlayStation, and Microsoft Windows
When it comes to all GTA games in order, it is impossible to deny the expansion games. This one is set in different parts of England. Being the protagonist, you have to explore historic corners of the city using vintage vehicles. This game in the GTA series is set in the year 1961 and features a beautiful 2D world.
The time and place are wonderfully represented through different things like Mini Coopers on the road and red Double Decker, and they all look like the ones in 1961. Here you can ride English-style vehicles and explore new cutscenes and even head to Manchester for a rough deathmatch. This GTA expansion will allow you to enjoy the game in a fresh setting.
Grand Theft Auto: London 1969
Release: 1999
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, MS-DOS
It was the first official expansion of the GTA series. This one is set in the urban parts of London and allows you to enjoy impressive graphics, missions, and vehicles. Moreover, you get to explore a wide range of breathtaking missions while enjoying the views of London.
The story is not a big focus in this game, but it has some new characters. You can have fun in this GTA game while completing missions, robbing people, enjoying speedy cards, and participating in thrilling criminal activities.
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)
Release: 2009
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
This game of the GTA series is considered the original expansion. It revolves around Liberty City. This one follows the story of Billy Gray, who comes back from rehab, and Johnny Klebitze, who is stuck in a vicious turf war with different gangs to gain control of the city full of corruption and violence.
In this game, you can be a member of a cool biker gang and immerse yourself in hiring henchmen, interacting with gang members, and competing in action-packed missions. Moreover, if you have free time, you can go to clubhouses, jump in pools, participate in arm wrestling, and much more. That's not it. You can shuffle different modes and set the city on fire with different weapons like assault shotgun, pool cue, and grenade launcher.
Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
Release: 2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
It is the second expansion of the popular Grand Theft Auto IV. This part of the GTA series introduces a new character named Luis Fernando Lopez, who is the bodyguard of a drug dealer Anthony Prince or Gay Tony. Now our hero has to gain the trust of his boss to complete his missions.
Contrary to other games of the series, this one is set at night. So you expect the entire story around adult entertainment, bars, and other similar places. That's not it. The game also features multiplayer options and new vehicles, which makes it more appealing.
Handheld Games
The GTA series is not limited to main games and expansions; it also includes handheld games. You can have an idea about the popularity of this game by the number of expansions and parties it has. Now let's check out the handheld games.
Grand Theft Auto Advance
Release: 2004
Platforms: Game Boy Advance
In this game, our protagonist has finally decided to retire and give up all the bad things. Now, in Liberty city, do you really think it is so easy to quit? The last job of our hero starts a new adventure which is bigger and better.
In this GTA game, the police try to frame our hero in the murder case of Vinney, which makes it difficult for him to move out of his house and walk in the city. Now to prove innocence, our hero has to find out who Vinny's killer is.
Featuring a highly engaging storyline and a lot of entertainment, this game is really fun. However, it was overshadowed by the popularity and success of San Andreas. If you want to explore gaming in a 2D universe, you should try this game.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Release: 2005
Platforms: PSP, Mobile & PlayStation 2
It is the next one in all GTA games in order and is a prequel to the third game. It allows players to have a glimpse of Liberty City in the year 1998. This part of the GTA series follows Toni Cipriani while he completes his list of amazing missions.
Here Toni has to prove that he is the best and deserves a big name in Liberty City. You can fight with mafias, be a part of the gangs, and complete different missions in the game. The mechanics of this game are splendid and better as compared to the other games. Liberty City Stories has various similarities with GTA 3 but has some new elements also like outfits, new bikes, interior places, and camera movements.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Release: 2006
Platforms: PSN, PS2, PS3 & PSP
This one in the GTA series is a prequel to the most popular game GTA: Vice City. Though it is set and organized in the same location, this time, Miami city looks a bit different. For example, you will not find landmarks like Avery Construction because the game is set two years earlier.
However, the man who is still present is Victor Vance, and he is our protagonist. This time he is dishonorably fired from the army. Now he has to survive in the corrupt and drug-filled city, but somehow he ends up in a life full of crime. It features a beautiful 3D universe, aesthetics, and marvelous elements.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
Release: 2009
Platforms: Nintendo, PSP & Mobile
This is the final one in all GTA games in order. It follows the story of Huang Lee, who is the son of a Triad boss. He finds out the reality of his father's death and now wants to find the missing sword of his family. All these events are set in Liberty City, and the main focus of the story is Asian gangs and how they operate.
Featuring a new story, fresh changes, and amazing side missions, this game is a good addition to the GTA series. The gameplay has a unique and splendid perspective. It features an aerial camera that allows players to rotate freely and move faster. It has around 100 missions and a huge amount of content.
To Sum Up
Years after its last release, this game is still peoples' favorite. It follows the story of different criminals in each title as they grows powerful and popular in a mesmerizing fictional city. Now, our protagonist is not a hero type; he is an anti-hero willing to become the biggest mafia.
Interesting, right? The game is completely open; you can either follow the quest or be a part of other criminal activities like theft, killing people, and stealing cars. You can as do as you please in this open city to become the mafia king.
There can never be enough words to describe all the GTA games in order. We have tried to sum up the series to help you explore it in the best possible way. Tell us what you think of this game by dropping a comment.
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