Highlights

• Grand Theft Auto's open-world action-adventure formula is hard to replicate, with numerous copycats falling short.
• Each Grand Theft Auto title is wildly memorable, offering a versatile and enjoyable gameplay experience.
• The success of GTA Online has propelled Grand Theft Auto 5 to remain popular and continue drawing in fans years after its release.

Accomplishing the impossible is why players can't get enough of video game series like Grand Theft Auto. As a series with themes of crime, money, and stealing cars, it provides a sensational experience that is hard to replicate. Naturally, numerous games have tried to replicate Grand Theft Auto's open-world action-adventure formula, but few have come close to surpassing it. Some notable copycats are Saints Row, Watch Dogs, Crackdown, Sleeping Dogs, Mafia, and The Simpsons Hit & Run.

The Grand Theft Auto series has churned out hit after hit, with the series truly exploding in popularity following the advent of Grand Theft Auto 3. The 3D sandbox present in this title has become the stuff of legends, forming a template that has been perfected by Rockstar time and time again. There's a reason why these games are beloved by the masses, with each and every Grand Theft Auto title being wildly memorable in its own way. Of course, some are objectively better than others, but only just.

Updated on March 29, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Grand Theft Auto is one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, with this series setting a template for future open-world games to follow that has continued to hold true to this day. The sheer amount of love and detail put into the open world of each Grand Theft Auto game is genuinely incredible and goes a long way in proving time and time again why most people consider one particular game in the series to be the one that got them into gaming as a whole. While not all Grand Theft Auto games boast the same level of quality, each of these games is a must-play for fans of this amazing series.

Special Mention: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition (Metacritic: 54)

Fans were disappointed to the moon and back when the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition launched. The game was a lazy effort to upscale the classic 3D games for the next generation and was lambasted by fans and critics alike. The titles were plagued with bugs, and the remaster looked comical and worse than the original games. Even with all the patches that have addressed the many issues in this title, it's clear as day that the legacy of this legendary trilogy has been permanently tarnished by this cheap cash grab.

Sure, Grove Street Games has released several updates for the game to address its many issues, but the damage has already been done. The original adventures of Claude, Tommy Vercetti, and CJ are lost to many, which is a crime in and of itself. Unless players are willing to deal with ugly remastered visuals and weird bugs, the Definitive Edition will be simply unbearable for most players.

11 Grand Theft Auto

Metascore: N/A

The game that started it all had clunky controls, which made driving near impossible, but it had charm regardless. The ability to get into any car made Grand Theft Auto a hit and set the bedrock for this franchise to dominate the gaming industry in a few years' time.

Driving recklessly through intersections and colliding with other vehicles provided an exhilarating experience unlike anything out there, with players having to do everything in their power to avoid the cops in breakneck chases that still feel tense to this day. This top-down perspective game laid the foundation for what would later become one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

Players who had a great time messing around in the original Grand Theft Auto will be glad to know that an expansion was released for the same that let players roam around the streets of London in the late 60s. Most of Grand Theft Auto's gameplay is left intact, with the change in setting being the most notable thing about this expansion.

Some people felt like this expansion didn't do much to change the issues that were present in the game itself, but players who loved the simple arcade-like gameplay of the original game will love what London 1969 has to offer. This expansion received a standalone release in the UK which proved that a lot of people enjoyed this unique addition to the legacy of the game that started it all.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1961

Along with the first expansion, Rockstar launched a second freeware expansion titled London 1961 that features the same map but with a different story and characters. The map is pretty much similar to the first one, making it easy to see why Rockstar didn't charge anything for this additional chapter.

Still, this shouldn't take away from the sheer fun players can enjoy as they wreak havoc in London once again. This expansion may not be a huge change from the norm but is worth checking out for fans of GTA's fun gameplay where players are encouraged to go bonkers and create as much chaos as possible.

10 Grand Theft Auto Advance

Metascore: 68

One of the lesser-known Grand Theft Auto games follows a similar style to Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2. Contrasting with the first two Grand Theft Auto games, Grand Theft Auto Advance has vehicle-based missions and is easier to play than the original games.

Its smart gameplay combined with vibrant graphics keeps the game enjoyable. Grand Theft Auto Advance is an enjoyable top-down perspective game, and the only reason why it's ranked the lowest on the list is because of its hardware limitations as opposed to the quality of the title itself.

9 Grand Theft Auto 2

Metascore: 70

People love Grand Theft Auto 2 for its improvements to police chases, weapons, driving, locations, and the camera. No longer was a shaky camera getting in the way of causing mayhem in Anywhere City, with the sequel being a massive improvement over the original in every way, shape, and form.

The cars have gained speed, and the police force is more relentless than ever before. The action in this game is genuinely exciting, and it's more than a game about driving cars. Grand Theft Auto 2 is more similar to Grand Theft Auto 3 than Grand Theft Auto, which is why it appeals to a broader audience. This is one classic game players can't miss.

8 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

Metascore: 86

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a prequel to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City that was released for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) and later for the PlayStation 2. Due to its limited availability, relatively not many people got a chance to play Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. It received favorable reviews on the PSP but mediocre reviews for the PlayStation 2. Its negative reviews on the PlayStation 2 can be attributed to its upscaling, which didn't turn out well. Also, multiplayer modes were removed, which makes the PSP version stronger.

Still, if players can manage to get their hands on a PlayStation 2 or PSP, the game can be bought at a bargain, and people can experience the gaudiness of Vice City once again. After all, the main title is easily one of the greatest open-world titles of all time, and getting the opportunity to explore a fictional version of Miami is a ton of fun in its own right.

7 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Metascore: 88

After the massive success of the 3D Grand Theft Auto titles, Rockstar decided to add to the universe of these games by releasing prequels to both Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City. The former arrived first in the form of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and is one of the better and more notable games on the PSP.

Again, the placement of this game on the list is mainly due to the limitations of the PlayStation Portable itself, especially since many people agree that Liberty City Stories is a fine addition to the legacy of the GTA franchise. Once players get accustomed to the new controls of this game, playing through Liberty City Stories is nothing short of a blast.

6 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Metascore: 93

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is the most exceptional Grand Theft Auto spinoff game. Released for Android, Nintendo DS, PSP, iOS, and Fire OS, the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars becomes more enjoyable as players dive into it.

Chinatown Wars is played from the top-down perspective, providing an experience reminiscent of the first two Grand Theft Autos but more profound. Leaving a trail of destruction in the player's wake in Chinatown Wars is GTA lunacy at its finest. To this day, players find it hard to believe that this cathartic open-world action-adventure game ran on portable hardware despite how ambitious it was.

5 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Metascore: 95

In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, players rise from rags to riches as Tommy Vercetti. Including an airport, marinas, and a taxi cab company, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City captures the essence of Miami. The ability to purchase companies that generate money gave the game more replayability.

One feature that makes Grand Theft Auto: Vice City stand out is its shopping mall. An even more interactive shopping mall should be a part of the next Grand Theft Auto game. Whether players are doing pizza boy deliveries, taking the law into their own hands during its vigilante missions, or searching the locale for stunt jumps, there is plenty of content to keep players busy in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

4 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Metascore: 95

Released in the early 2000s, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are often compared to one another. While Vice City is a charming small city, the scale of San Andreas gives it the edge. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was inspired by the late '80s and early '90s gangsta rap era, which is when the game is set.

Playing as protagonist Carl Johnson, players are immersed in a world rife with possibilities. The game has a progression system that allows players to upgrade their character after completing tasks like working out or riding a bike. The game also contains airports with flyable planes, and players are no longer forced to drown when they touch the water since swimming underwater is possible in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

3 Grand Theft Auto 3

Metascore: 97

Grand Theft Auto's first adventure in 3D was way ahead of its time when it was released. Playing as Claude gave Grand Theft Auto a protagonist with a name and a face, making the series more memorable. Later games in the series would not be where they are today if it wasn't for the leap and bounds of Grand Theft Auto 3.

Grand Theft Auto 3 introduced vehicles like the Banshee, Cheetah, Infernus, and Stinger. These vehicles appeared in multiple Grand Theft Auto games in the series. To this day, the game is an impressive achievement that shows just how revolutionary it was, with many of its sandbox elements being so refined that most modern open-world games still find it challenging to try and emulate the brilliance that elevated this title to legendary status in the gaming industry.

2 Grand Theft Auto 5

Metascore: 97

In Grand Theft Auto 5, players are brought back to San Andreas, only this time around, players play as three different characters as part of a joined storyline. Bold and ambitious, Grand Theft Auto 5 is a massive game filled with numerous activities like golf, darts, visiting an amusement park, tennis, and more. With a budget of over $250 million, the game had stellar execution, which is why many players still frequent the game years after its release.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is an open-world action-adventure game that is full to the brim with content and deserves the moniker of being the best game in the series that players can check out. The addition of a first-person mode, along with a wealth of other changes, means that players always have an excuse to replay this title, especially with the single-player campaign being absolutely incredible. It's easy to see why this game ended up selling boatloads and continues to be talked about fondly to this day, even if some people are tired of this game's constant re-releases on modern platforms.

GTA Online

There's a reason why episodic DLCs didn't make the cut for Grand Theft Auto 5, despite many reports stating that the plan was for Rockstar to pursue this course of action. The rampant success of GTA Online pushed Rockstar to devote all their resources to make this game mode as perfect as possible, with players absolutely loving the idea of exploring this massive world with their friends and allowing players to live out a virtual life that is laden with crime out the wazoo.

Players can engage in heists, race around, and just kill players without a care in the world if they wish. There's something infinitely enjoyable about this game mode, making it clear why Grand Theft Auto 5 has been released on three separate console generations — the online component really is that popular and continues to draw in a large number of fans to this day.

1 Grand Theft Auto 4

Metascore: 98

Grand Theft Auto 4 is set in Liberty City, a fictional replica of New York City. This time around, players are put in the shoes of Niko Bellic. As an immigrant from Yugoslavia, he sets out to get revenge on two men who betrayed him during the War. Grand Theft Auto 4 stands out for its similarities to New York City, an interesting story, and dating missions.

Its driving is realistic instead of arcade-like. Some complained that the driving was too realistic, but that won't stop many from going back for another playthrough. The game's grounded story and somber moments make it one of the most tragic stories that Rockstar has ever told, even if the title is full to the brim with the classic whimsy that has made the GTA series so popular, to begin with. The change in engine prompted Rockstar to focus on a smaller, more intimate urban environment, which ended up working out pretty well for them.

The Lost And The Damned

There's a reason why many people have criticized Grand Theft Auto 5 for not releasing a single story-focused DLC. After all, fans were spoiled after both The Lost and The Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony were released for the system to rave reviews. The first episodic DLC lets players control Johnny Klebitz, a member of the motorcycle group called The Lost MC.

The story features many twists and turns and gives players a unique viewpoint of the main story's events from a different lens, with the dynamic of the motorcycle club being pretty engaging in its own right. As is the case with most GTA games, there's enough double-crossing, gang warfare, and drug-fuelled shenanigans going on to keep players engaged till the very end.

The Ballad Of Gay Tony

Most players were wowed by the sheer quality on display in The Lost and the Damned. So, players were pleasantly surprised when The Ballad of Gay Tony was released to great pomp and fanfare, showing that Rockstar could make these DLCs even better! Controlling Luis Fernando Lopez and helping his employer navigate through the many issues that he faces makes for a great time.

The DLC is full of hilarious moments and bombastic action, with players left in splits every single time they check out the many hilarious cutscenes and interactions in this side story. It's a DLC where Rockstar clearly had a ton of fun during development, and this shows in the inherent charm and boisterous action that is rife throughout most set pieces in The Ballad of Gay Tony.