As a lover of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise, I am thrilled to present this comprehensive guide to all its series from 1997 to present. Grand Theft Auto has come a long way since its debut in 1997, with over 12 titles and multiple decades of gaming experience.
In this article, I will take you through a journey of all the GTA games, from the first-ever release to the latest. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who’s just getting started, buckle up and get ready to explore the world of GTA like never before.
From the groundbreaking 2D era of top-down chaos to the stunning 3D worlds that encourage players to live out their wildest crime capers, GTA has become synonymous with both controversy and acclaim.
Grand Thief Auto Original Release (1997)
Grand Theft Auto, released in October 1997, is a pioneering action-adventure game developed by DMA Design and published by BMG Interactive. Known for introducing an open-world concept, the game allowed players to explore a cityscape freely, engaging in various criminal activities. This set a new benchmark in the gaming industry.
It was both acclaimed and controversial for its mix of action, humor, and satirical take on American pop culture. Notably, the game achieved significant commercial success with recorded sales surpassing one million copies worldwide by the end of 1997, marking it as a landmark in video game history.
GTA 1997 Technical Details
- Game Release Date: October 1997
- Game Version: Original Release
- Game Developer: DMA Design (now known as Rockstar North)
- Game Publisher: BMG Interactive
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
Game Major Features:
- Open-world gameplay
- Multiple levels spanning three cities
- Varied missions including theft, driving, and action
- Notorious for its adult themes and violenceGame Release Date: October 1997
Where to Play GTA 1997
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PC (Windows, DOS) | Available |
| PlayStation | Available |
| Game Boy Color | Available |
GTA 1997 System Requirement
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | DOS 6.0, Windows 95, Windows 98 |
| Processor | 75 MHz Pentium or equivalent |
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Hard Disk Space | 80 MB |
| Video Card | 1MB VESA compatible SVGA graphics card |
Grand Thief Auto 2 (1999)
Released in 1999, Grand Theft Auto 2 built upon the success of its predecessor by enhancing the open-world concept with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics. Developed by DMA Design and published by Rockstar Games, the game is set in a retro-futuristic metropolis and is known for its expansion of the series’ signature style of crime-based gameplay.
GTA 2 introduced new features like missions from multiple bosses and an innovative respect system, influencing the player’s experience based on their actions.
GTA 1999 Technical Details
- Game Release Date: 1999
- Game Developer: DMA Design (now known as Rockstar North)
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
Game Major Features:
- Futuristic urban setting
- Enhanced graphics and gameplay mechanics
- Multiple missions and bosses
- Respect system affecting gameplay dynamics
Where to Play GTA 1999
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PC (Windows) | Available |
| PlayStation | Available |
| Game Boy Color | Available |
| Dreamcast | Available |
GTA 1999 System Requirement
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 95/98 |
| Processor | Pentium 200 or above |
| RAM | 32 MB |
| Hard Disk Space | 65 MB |
| Video Card | Direct3D Compatible Graphics Card |
Grand Thief Auto III 2001
Grand Theft Auto III, released in 2001, marked a significant evolution in the GTA series with its shift to a 3D world, offering an unprecedented level of immersion. Developed by DMA Design (Rockstar North) and published by Rockstar Games, it set a new standard for open-world gameplay.
Set in the fictional Liberty City, based on New York City, the game combines elements of driving, action, and adventure in a narrative-driven experience. Its groundbreaking graphics, voice acting, and expansive urban environment contributed to its critical acclaim and massive commercial success.
GTA 2001 Technical Details
- Game Release Date: 2001
- Game Version: Original Release
- Game Developer: DMA Design (now Rockstar North)
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 14.5 million copies sold
Game Major Features:
- Fully 3D open-world environment
- Extensive voice acting and narrative
- Diverse and immersive gameplay mechanics
- Realistic urban setting based on New York City
Where Can You Play GTA 2001
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Win 98/ME/2000/XP |
| Processor | Pentium III 450 CPU |
| RAM | 96MB |
| Hard Disk Space | 500MB free |
| Video Card | 16MB Direct3D Video Card |
GTA 2001 System Requirement
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 2 | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows | Yes |
| Xbox | Yes |
| Mac OS X | Yes |
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002
Just after a year Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was released. The game is a significant entry in the GTA series, known for its vibrant depiction of 1980s culture. Developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, the game is set in the fictional Vice City, based on Miami, and incorporates elements of action, adventure, and driving gameplay.
Its narrative, inspired by 1980s American pop culture, along with a memorable soundtrack, colorful visuals, and voice acting by notable actors, contributed to its widespread popularity and critical acclaim.
GTA Vice City 2002 Technical Details
Game Release Date: 2002
Game Version: Original Release
Game Developer: Rockstar North
Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
Recorded Sales: Over 17.5 million copies sold
Game Major Features:
- 1980s-themed vibrant world
- Extensive voice acting with notable actors
- Wide range of music from the 1980s
- Diverse gameplay with driving, shooting, and role-playing elements
Where Can You Play GTA Vice City
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 98/ME/2000/XP |
| Processor | 800 MHz Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon or 1.2GHz Intel Celeron or AMD Duron |
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Hard Disk Space | 915 MB free (+ 635 MB if video card does NOT support DirectX Texture Compression) |
| Video Card | 32 MB with DirectX 9.0 compatible drivers |
GTA Vice City System Requirement
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 98/ME/2000/XP |
| Processor | 800 MHz Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon or 1.2GHz Intel Celeron or AMD Duron |
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Hard Disk Space | 915 MB free (+ 635 MB if video card does NOT support DirectX Texture Compression) |
| Video Card | 32 MB with DirectX 9.0 compatible drivers |
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, released in 2004, marked a significant evolution in the Grand Theft Auto series. Building on the success of its predecessors, it introduced a vast open world, rich storytelling, and enhanced gameplay elements, setting a new standard for sandbox games of its era.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: October 26, 2004
- Game Developer: Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 27.5 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA San Andreas
The game is available on multiple platforms, offering a range of experiences for different users.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 2 | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows | Yes |
| Xbox | Yes |
| Mac OS X | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
| Fire OS | Yes |
GTA San Andreas 2004 System Requirements
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 2000/XP |
| Processor | 1GHz Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon |
| RAM | 256MB |
| Hard Disk Space | 3.6 GB free for a minimal install |
| Video Card | 64MB with DirectX 9 compatible drivers (“GeForce3” or better) |
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories 2005
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, released in 2005, brought the immersive open-world experience of the Grand Theft Auto series to handheld devices. This game revisits Liberty City, the iconic urban landscape first introduced in GTA III, with new storylines and characters, while maintaining the series’ signature gameplay and open-world exploration.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: October 24, 2005
- Game Developer: Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 8 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA Liberty City Stories
The game was initially released for PlayStation Portable, marking a significant step in bringing the GTA experience to handheld gaming, and was later made available on other platforms.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PlayStation Portable (PSP) | Yes |
| PlayStation 2 | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
| Fire OS | Yes |
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, released in 2006, is a prequel to the original Vice City game. Set in the vibrant and colorful world of Vice City, it offers an engaging storyline and expanded gameplay features. The game was a hit for its detailed world-building and the addition of new gameplay elements, particularly for portable gaming devices.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: October 31, 2006
- Game Developer: Rockstar Leeds in collaboration with Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $50 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 4.5 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA Vice City Stories
The game was first released for the PlayStation Portable and then ported to other platforms, continuing the tradition of bringing the GTA experience to a wider audience.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PlayStation Portable (PSP) | Yes |
| PlayStation 2 | Yes |
Grand Theft Auto IV 2008
Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008, marked a significant leap forward for the Grand Theft Auto series. Set in a meticulously detailed recreation of Liberty City, the game introduces players to the story of Niko Bellic, an immigrant entangled in the world of gangs, crime, and corruption. Praised for its deep narrative, enhanced graphics, and expansive gameplay, GTA IV set new benchmarks for open-world games.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: April 29, 2008
- Game Developer: Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $60 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 25 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA IV
GTA IV was released on multiple platforms, allowing a wide range of players to experience its groundbreaking world and story.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Xbox 360 | Yes |
| PlayStation 3 | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows | Yes |
GTA IV System Requirements
| Specification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows Vista – Service Pack 1 / XP – Service Pack 3 / Windows 7 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz, AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4GHz |
| RAM | 1 GB for Windows XP / 1.5 GB for Windows Vista |
| Video Card | 256MB NVIDIA 7900+ / 256MB ATI X1900+ |
| Free Disk Space | 16 GB |
| Sound Card | Yes |
Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned
Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned, released in 2009, is a significant expansion pack for Grand Theft Auto IV. This game introduces players to a new protagonist, Johnny Klebitz, and his adventures with the biker gang The Lost Motorcycle Club in Liberty City. It stands out for its dark storyline, enriched gameplay, and the introduction of motorcycle-based culture and missions.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: February 17, 2009
- Game Developer: Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Part of Grand Theft Auto IV expansion, priced around $20 USD for the standalone package
- Recorded Sales: Sales figures integrated with Grand Theft Auto IV
Where to Play GTA The Lost and Damned
This expansion pack was initially exclusive to Xbox 360 as downloadable content, later becoming available on other platforms as part of GTA IV’s expanded editions.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Xbox 360 | Yes (Originally exclusive as DLC) |
| PlayStation 3 | Yes (As part of Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition) |
| Microsoft Windows | Yes (As part of Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition) |
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 2009
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, released in 2009, offered a fresh perspective in the Grand Theft Auto series. Tailored for handheld gaming devices, it introduced a unique art style and gameplay adapted for portable play. The game follows Huang Lee, a young Triad member, navigating the criminal underworld of Liberty City. Despite its departure from the series’ usual 3D graphics, it received critical acclaim for maintaining the essence of GTA gameplay and storytelling.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: March 17, 2009
- Game Developer: Rockstar Leeds in collaboration with Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $40 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 1 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA Chinatown Wars
The game was initially released for Nintendo DS, taking advantage of the handheld’s unique features, and later expanded to other platforms.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Nintendo DS | Yes |
| PlayStation Portable (PSP) | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 2009
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, released in 2009, offered a fresh perspective in the Grand Theft Auto series. Tailored for handheld gaming devices, it introduced a unique art style and gameplay adapted for portable play. The game follows Huang Lee, a young Triad member, navigating the criminal underworld of Liberty City. Despite its departure from the series’ usual 3D graphics, it received critical acclaim for maintaining the essence of GTA gameplay and storytelling.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: March 17, 2009
- Game Developer: Rockstar Leeds in collaboration with Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $40 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 1 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA Chinatown Wars
The game was initially released for Nintendo DS, taking advantage of the handheld’s unique features, and later expanded to other platforms.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Nintendo DS | Yes |
| PlayStation Portable (PSP) | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
Grand Theft Auto V 2013
Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, significantly expanded the Grand Theft Auto series with its ambitious scale and depth. Set in the sprawling, sun-soaked city of Los Santos and surrounding areas, GTA V introduces an innovative, triple-protagonist structure, allowing players to switch between the lives of Michael De Santa, Trevor Philips, and Franklin Clinton. The game was acclaimed for its detailed open world, dynamic storytelling, and groundbreaking multiplayer experience in GTA Online.
Technical Details:
- Game Release Date: September 17, 2013
- Game Developer: Rockstar North
- Game Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Game Price (at the time): Approximately $60 USD
- Recorded Sales: Over 135 million copies sold
Where to Play GTA V
GTA V was released on multiple platforms, with continuous updates and enhancements, particularly for the newer generation consoles and PC.
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 3 | Yes |
| Xbox 360 | Yes |
| PlayStation 4 | Yes |
| Xbox One | Yes |
| Microsoft Windows | Yes |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes |
| Xbox Series X/S | Yes |
Grand Thief Auto 6 2025
Now, for the latest GTA sequel on this article the much awaited Grand Thief Auto 6 which is to be released in 2025. GTA 6 is expected to redefine open-world mechanics, with an even more dynamic and interactive environment. With the rise of AI – GTA 6 will be using AI NPC’s well that was rumor for now, GTA 6 aims to offer an immersive experience that blurs the line between the digital world and reality.
And there you have it! Its nostalgic when we look back the games we previously playing when we were kids. From its humble beginnings in 1997 to its latest installment in GTA 6 is a fascinating journey that showcases the incredible advancements in technology and gaming capabilities over the past two decades.
From the gritty streets of Liberty City to the sprawling openness of San Andreas and the neon-lit extravagance of Vice City, each game in the series offers a unique and immersive experience for players. As fans eagerly await news of the next release, it’s clear that the legacy of the GTA franchise will continue to captivate gamers for years to come.
