Grand Theft Auto Games in Order (San Andreas, GTA Games, and GTA 6)

If you’re a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at some point: “What is the correct chronological order to play the Grand Theft Auto games?”

This article answers that question in depth. It explores the GTA games, including spin-offs, expansion packs, and all the main titles, from the original game to the upcoming GTA 6.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the events of Grand Theft Auto universe. The guide helps you follow story arcs, major character developments, evolving city settings, and the franchise’s growth across generations. This breakdown is valuable for both new players and returning fans of one of the most popular games of all time.

 

What’s the Story of Grand Theft Auto?

The overarching story of Grand Theft Auto spans decades of crime, betrayal, ambition, and the pursuit of power.

Grand Theft Auto games are set in fictional world and revolve around characters climbing through criminal ranks. These include gang members and rogue individuals seeking control. Across the series, stories explore criminal networks from street groupings to large syndicates.

Additionally, these stories unfold in fictional cities inspired by real places. Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City offer diverse backdrops for chaos and opportunity. Although each title stands alone, there are key links across three timelines: 2D, 3D, and HD.

Understanding these timelines provides crucial insight into recurring characters and evolving narratives in the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

What is the Grand Theft Auto 2D Timeline?

The 2D timeline includes the earliest Grand Theft Auto games. The original Grand Theft Auto launched in 1997. It used a top-down view and introduced iconic cities like Liberty City and San Andreas.

Then came two expansions: GTA: London 1969 and London 1961. These titles brought British crime culture into the Grand Theft Auto series. In these games, players took on missions involving crime activity during the swinging sixties.

These entries laid the foundation for open-world crime gameplay, allowing players to explore freedom of choice and chaos before the shift to 3D.

Where Does GTA London Fit In?

GTA: London 1969 and London 1961 are mission packs that expanded the original Grand Theft Auto game. These titles were the first to take the action out of America.

They transported players to 1960s, featuring gang wars and unique missions. These two titles stand out in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. They introduced different vehicles, settings, and voiceovers with British flair.

Despite technical limitations, Rockstar Games pushed the boundaries of expansion content. These titles remain essential parts of the Grand Theft Auto 2D timeline. They helped establish Rockstar’s approach to innovation and storytelling early on.

The Impact of Grand Theft Auto 2

Grand Theft Auto 2 is the final entry in the 2D timeline. The game stars Claude Speed and is set in the futuristic “Anywhere City,” possibly in 2013.

This title marked a shift in tone and complexity. It introduced in-game gangs with varying loyalties, missions that impacted reputations, and a more experimental design.

Despite its top-down view, GTA 2 laid the groundwork for dynamic gameplay systems later perfected in the 3D and HD timelines.

Spotlight on Vice City Stories

Vice City Stories serves as a prequel to Vice City, and is set in 1984. The game follows Victor Vance, a soldier, who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld.

Players explore Vice City before Tommy Vercetti’s reign. The city feels familiar yet rawer and less developed, adding depth to the timeline.

Vice City Stories expands on the lore, introduces important characters, and highlights the complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and ambition in the early days of Vice City’s chaos.

Vice City: The Rise of Tommy Vercetti

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is set in 1986. The story follows Tommy Vercetti, recently released from prison and sent to Vice City by the Forelli crime family.

After a drug deal goes wrong, Tommy begins building his empire in Vice City. Players experience the city’s neon-soaked streets, drug culture, and criminal politics.

Vice City is one of the most popular game in the series. It explores power, corruption, and the cost of ambition.

When Is San Andreas Set?

San Andreas is set in 1992. It dives deep into West Coast gang culture and early 90s urban life.

The game follows CJ’s return to Los Santos after his mother’s death. He reconnects with his family and his gang, the Grove Street Families. Together, they face corrupt cops, betrayal, and escalating gang wars.

CJ’s journey leads him across the fictional state of San Andreas. He takes on missions in San Fierro and Las Venturas. The game captures the spirit of the era through music, fashion, and social themes.

San Andreas connects directly to events in Grand Theft Auto 3. It’s one of the most critical games in the Grand Theft saga.

What Happens in Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories?

Liberty City Stories serves as a prequel to GTA 3. The game is set in 1998, focusing on Toni Cipriani’s return to the city.

Toni works for Salvatore Leone’s crime family. Players witness the internal power struggles that shaped Liberty City before Claude’s story in GTA 3.

Originally designed for the PSP, the game was later ported to other consoles. It kept the feel of Liberty City alive, while adding new characters and deeper context.

This title remains key to the game series, revealing events that shape later games.

 

Breaking Down Grand Theft Auto 3

Grand Theft Auto 3 launched the series into full 3D. It is set in Liberty City and follows Claude, a silent protagonist betrayed by his girlfriend during a bank heist.

Players explore the city’s three boroughs, take jobs from various crime families, and uncover betrayals along the way. The game introduced the open-world format that defined modern GTA.

GTA 3 is a cornerstone of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. It transformed video games forever and set the tone for future entries.

What Is the Grand Theft Auto 3D Timeline?

The GTA timeline represents a major evolution in the franchise, marking the transition from top-down gameplay to fully immersive 3D environments.

This timeline begins with Vice City Stories (1984) and progresses through Vice City (1986), San Andreas (1992), Liberty City Stories (1998), and finally Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001). Each of these games contributes critical context to the criminal underworld across the series.

In Vice City Stories, players meet Victor Vance and explore the foundations of Vice City’s criminal landscape. The game takes place in Vice City, where Tommy Vercetti builds a drug empire in the neon-lit chaos of the 1980s. San Andreas introduces CJ and the Grove Street gang, diving into gang wars, police corruption, and West Coast culture.

Liberty City Stories sets the stage for GTA 3, following Toni Cipriani’s journey back into the Leone crime family. Then, GTA 3 revolutionised open-world gaming with Claude’s silent quest for revenge in Liberty City.

These five entries form the backbone of the 3D universe. Their characters, gangs, and overlapping events are all part of the Grand Theft Auto timeline. Although each story is unique, crossovers and references provide continuity and deeper world-building.

Playing these games using updated hardware, such as PS5 controllers, offers smoother gameplay and sharper graphics. Fans revisiting the 3D era will notice how Rockstar Games laid the groundwork for what would become the HD timeline.

What Is the Grand Theft Auto HD Timeline?

The HD timeline began when Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto 4. The shift brought darker stories, enhanced graphics, and more realistic gameplay.

GTA IV follows Niko Bellic, an immigrant seeking a new life in Liberty City. He becomes entangled with gangs, crime families, and old enemies.

The HD timeline also includes The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. These expansion packs explore Liberty City through the lives of Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez. They reveal how criminal factions coexist and clash.

Chinatown Wars, another HD title, centres on Huang Lee, a member of the Triad. He uncovers betrayal after arriving in Liberty City. This handheld title ties directly into GTA 4’s world.

The Legacy of Chinatown Wars

It  is a unique entry in the HD timeline. Released on handheld devices, it follows Huang Lee, a Triad member seeking justice for his father’s murder.

Set in Liberty City, the game blends traditional GTA elements with new mechanics like drug dealing, hacking, and touch-screen controls.

Despite its smaller platform, Chinatown Wars is rich in story and gameplay. It remains a key part of the universe, especially for fans exploring every narrative corner of the series.

The Significance of Grand Theft Auto 4

GTA 4 takes place in 2008 and introduces a new protagonist, Niko Bellic, a war veteran from Eastern Europe seeking a fresh start in Liberty City. As Niko reconnects with his cousin Roman, he finds himself pulled into the city’s brutal criminal underworld. The game offers a gritty, grounded tone and focuses on themes of immigration, loyalty, and revenge. GTA 4 marked a turning point in the series with its advanced physics engine, cinematic storytelling, and complex character development. Rockstar Games crafted Liberty City as a living, breathing environment filled with danger, choice, and consequence.

The HD timeline also includes The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. These expansion packs explore Liberty City through the lives of Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez. They reveal how criminal factions coexist and clash.

Chinatown Wars, another HD title, centres on Huang Lee, a member of the Triad. He uncovers betrayal after arriving in Liberty City. This handheld title ties directly into GTA 4’s world.

Grand Theft Auto 5: A Modern Classic

GTA V redefined open-world gaming and was one of the best-selling game ever made with 210 million copies sold. Set in Los Santos in 2013, it follows three protagonists: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor.

Players can switch between them as they complete heists, navigate betrayals, and build criminal empires. Each character adds a unique viewpoint to the game’s complex narrative.

The game remains one of the most played titles in the world, especially with its optimisation for modern consoles like those using PS5 controllers and Xbox systems.

Inside Grand Theft Auto Online

Grand Theft Auto Online is the multiplayer component of the story of GTA 5. It exists both before and after the events of the main game.

Players can create custom characters, build businesses, join gangs, and participate in missions and heists. New updates consistently expand the world.

GTA Online is a living universe. Its continued success shows Rockstar Games’ ability to keep players engaged long after a game’s initial release.

What Do We Know About Grand Theft Auto 6 Release Date?

GTA VI is the next major title in the franchise. Rockstar Games has confirmed its development and set a 2025 release window.

Based on official teasers, GTA 6 will likely return to Vice City, redesigned in the HD timeline style. The game world might also feature expanded locations, possibly blending elements from San Andreas and Liberty City.

Speculation suggests players may experience the story through two siblings involved in a modern crime family. Details are still emerging, but expectations for enhanced gameplay, graphics, and scale are incredibly high.

As the 2025 release draws closer, anticipation for the next Grand Theft Auto continues to grow among long-time fans and new players alike.

How to Play Every Grand Theft Auto Game in Order

Playing every Grand Theft Auto instalment in chronological order provides a more complete and immersive experience.

Here’s the recommended order:

2D Timeline

1. GTA (first GTA)
2. GTA: London 1969
3. GTA London 1961
4. GTA 2 (set in 2013)

3D Timeline

5. Vice City Stories (1984)

6. Vice City (1986)

7. San Andreas (1992)

8. Liberty City Stories (1998)

9. GTA 3 (2001)

HD Timeline

10. GTA 4 (2008)

11. The Lost and Damned (2008)

12. The Ballad of Gay Tony (2008)

13. Chinatown Wars (2009)

14. GTA 5 (2013)

15. GTA Online (prequel and sequel to GTA 5)

16. GTA 6 (expected in May, 2026)

This order follows the Grand Theft Auto timeline across all universes and includes each main game, prequel, and expansion pack.

Key Takeaways from the Grand Theft Auto Timeline

• The GTA series spans across three major timelines: 2D, 3D, and HD.
• GTA: San Andreas plays a crucial role in linking events from Vice City to GTA 3.
• Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City serve as iconic, recurring cities throughout the franchise.
• Each GTA game introduces new characters while referencing past events, gangs, and crime families.
• Chinatown Wars and Liberty City Stories expand the GTA lore on handheld platforms.
• GTA 5 set new standards in open-world design and storytelling.
• GTA Online keeps evolving and remains popular well into 2025.
• GTA 6 promises a modern Vice City, likely with multiple protagonists.
• Rockstar Games has consistently delivered expansive and immersive worlds in every Grand Theft Auto title.
• Playing the games in chronological order enhances the overall story and character depth.

Following the GTA 3D timeline gives players a stronger understanding of character arcs and city development. It also reveals Rockstar’s long-term storytelling strategy and evolution in game design. Playing on modern systems like Xbox Series X or using PS5 controllers brings new life to these classics.