What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The Grand Theft Auto games in release order begin with Grand Theft Auto in 1997 and continue through Grand Theft Auto V in 2013; Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for November 19, 2026. This is a release-year timeline, not the order of events inside the games’ stories. The list below separates the numbered mainline games from expansions, handheld entries, and online releases, and avoids claiming an exact order for titles released in the same year when the available sources do not establish one.
What is the mainline GTA release order?
The mainline release sequence is Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto 2, Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto V, and—once its scheduled release date arrives—Grand Theft Auto VI. The table gives the supported release years rather than suggesting every entry has a verified day-and-month date.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Free Tools
| Release year | Mainline game | Release-order context |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Grand Theft Auto | The original top-down game, developed by Dundee-based DMA Design. |
| 1999 | Grand Theft Auto 2 | The second mainline entry. |
| 2001 | Grand Theft Auto III | The first 3D mainline game. Rockstar gives its original release date as October 22, 2001. |
| 2002 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Released after GTA III. |
| 2004 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Follows Vice City; its setting includes three cities and surrounding rural areas. |
| 2008 | Grand Theft Auto IV | The first mainline entry in the HD universe in the series overview’s grouping. |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | Features three playable protagonists and launched in the same year as Grand Theft Auto Online. |
| November 19, 2026 (scheduled) | Grand Theft Auto VI | As of November 14, 2026, its release date is upcoming. Rockstar lists PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. |
Rockstar’s announcement of The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition identifies October 22, 2001 as GTA III’s original release date. For most of the older games and related releases, the available timeline supports a year but not a reliable exact date. The current GTA VI page lists November 19, 2026 and the two console platforms; treat that date as scheduled, not as proof the game has already launched.
What is the release order of GTA expansions and side games?
The mainline list is not the whole franchise. Expansions, handheld titles, and the online component fill in other release years, but they should be read as separate branches rather than inserted as numbered mainline sequels.
Popular on Amazon
- Never Let a Dead Battery Ruin Your Drive. The LISEN 4 in 1 Retractable Car Charger delivers reliable power for your entire journey. Compatible with standard 12V cigarette lighter sockets, it keeps phones, tablets, and devices charged during daily commutes, road trips, and long drives — the perfect practical gift for dads, truck drivers, and anyone who lives on the road.
- Daily Driver Essential: Always Ready When You Need It. Featuring two retractable cables ( USB C & Old iPhone Charging Cable ) that extend up to 31.5 inches and dual USB ports, this charger solves cable clutter while charging up to 4 devices simultaneously. Ideal for busy fathers, commuters, and families who want a tidy car and never worry about low battery again.
- Deliver full-speed PD fast charging for iPhone 18 Pro Max & iPhone 18 Pro Max & iPhone 18 Pro right inside your car. The built-in 45W PD USB-C port hits the peak charging speed for these latest iPhone models, juicing up your phone to 50% power in just 15 minutes while you drive.(Note: Maximum 45W PD output is available under 24V vehicle power supply. When used with standard 12V car sockets, the peak output is limited to 36W.)
- Standard 12V Power Solution: Designed as a dedicated USB power supply for charging devices. Note: Does NOT support CarPlay, Bluetooth, or data transfer. Compatible with most phones, tablets, and small electronics. This retractable charger is a core car organization tool, keeping your vehicle tidy. Not compatible with Micro-USB devices.
- Clutter-Free Tech Organization: Featuring dual USB ports and retractable cables, the LISEN 4 in 1 charger provides a clean car storage solution. Perfect for truck enthusiasts or as a thoughtful gift for drivers, it supports fast USB-C charging for devices like the iPhone 18Pro & iPhone 18 ProMax. Keep your vehicle organized while ensuring efficient power delivery for all your tech on the road.
Expansions for the original game
- 1999: Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 and Grand Theft Auto: London 1961. Both are expansions for the original Grand Theft Auto. The available overview lists both in 1999 but does not confirm which came first within that year.
Handheld entries
- 2004: Grand Theft Auto Advance, a Game Boy Advance entry.
- 2005: Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
- 2006: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
- 2009: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, classified as a handheld game in the overview.
GTA IV expansions
- 2009: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned and Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony. Both are classified as expansion packs for GTA IV. Chinatown Wars also appears in 2009, but the cited year list does not establish an exact order among the three releases.
Online release
- 2013: Grand Theft Auto Online appears in the same release year as GTA V. Its later updates are additions to the online game, not new numbered mainline entries in this chronology.
These year groupings follow the broad series overview. That overview is useful for a release-year map and classifications, but it is not evidence for an exact day-level chronology of every older game. In particular, do not read the order of titles within a shared year in the lists above as a confirmed sequence.
Should you play the GTA games in release order?
Release order is the clearest way to follow how the series’ formats and eras succeeded one another, but it is not a required story order. If your goal is simply to start playing, decide whether you want the original top-down games, the 3D-era titles, the HD-era games, a handheld branch, or the online experience; then check which entries are available on the platform you have.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
One practical route is to follow the mainline table in order and add the related games when you reach their release years. That preserves release chronology without making every side title a prerequisite. Another is to choose a game by era or platform and treat the rest as optional. The series overview groups the original and GTA 2 as the 2D universe; GTA III through Vice City Stories as the 3D universe; and GTA IV, its expansions, Chinatown Wars, and GTA V as the HD universe. It describes these as separate continuities, even though names, places, or background characters can recur. That grouping helps orient a player, but it is not a substitute for a title-by-title story chronology.
Also popular on Amazon
- ✅【Designed for Magsafe】 - The most fashionable iphone car mount in 2026 Magsafe is designed for iPhone 18 Pro Max/17/16/15/14/13/12 Pro Max Mini and official Magsafe cases and other magnetic phone cases and can be fixed directly to these phones without the need to affix metal plates. All Android Phones Will Work: Metal rings are provided; they fit cases and other phones without magsafe. Based on Unique Grandmaster Design (Protected by US Design Patent No. US D1,112,194 S)
- ✅【STRONG MAGNETIC MagSafe Car Mount】 - This powerful magnetic phone holder can create a powerful attraction that firmly supports your device while allowing you to drive without distraction. it easily and securely holds your phone through bumps, sharp turns or even sudden stops, no worrying of dropping your phone.
- ✅【SUPER STICK FORCE】 - VHB Dash Mounted Holders adhesive provides strong stick force between the dashboard and the car phone holder, which can firmly stick to any plane in the car, fix your device, adapt to a variety of road conditions such as sudden braking, speed bump, and rugged mountain road.
- ✅【SAFE DRIVING VIEW】 - Mini-size, not taking up space, it is placed in the dashboard without blocking the view at all, and does not need to look down at the device to ensure your safe driving. Cell Phone Car Mount is suitable for most cars, pickups, SUV, taxi; It is the best assistant for Uber and Lyft drivers
- ✅【360° FREE ROTATION】 - With an adjustable swivel ball joint, you can rotate your smartphone or device at your own will, providing the best viewing angle. Quickly pick and place with one hand, free your hands and make calls and GPS navigation more convenient
For a compact route through three 3D-era games, Rockstar says Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition contains Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas. Rockstar announced a digital release for November 11, 2021, with physical editions for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 scheduled to follow on December 7, 2021. Those are historical launch details, not confirmation of current store stock. The collection includes three games, not the full franchise, and it does not include every related release in this timeline.
How should you interpret the dates and editions?
This chronology records original release years wherever the supplied catalog supports them. It is not a complete database of launch dates by country, platform, or edition. The one day-level date in the older mainline sequence documented here is GTA III’s October 22, 2001 original release; the exact original day and month for most of the other legacy entries and related titles are not established by the cited material.
Also distinguish a game’s first release from later ports or enhanced editions. The overview lists GTA V for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014, Windows in 2015, and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2022. Those later platform releases do not change its original place in the timeline: it remains a 2013 game. A platform-specific edition may be the version a new player can access, but the release-order question normally refers to the first release year.
Also popular on Amazon
- High Quality Material: The coaster is made of environmentally friendly silicone, safe, non-toxic and odorless. Soft with toughness, easily embedded in the cup holder. Very durable, wear-resistant, long service life. High temperature resistance, can withstand 100 ℃ high temperature water cups.
- Wide Compatibility: The coaster has a diameter of 3.15 inches and a height of 1.18 inches, which is widely used in most vehicles, such as SUV, sedan, MPV, etc., as long as the size fits your car cup holder.
- Protection Function: Our car cup holder coaster has a carry handle design and a stand-up ring edge on its edge to effectively prevent food crumbs, drinks and water from leaking out and preventing the car cup holder from getting dirty.Meanwhile,Thickened design effectively prevents the cup holder from being scratched by the cup when driving on bumpy roads and eliminates the annoying thumping sound, making your journey more enjoyable.
- Easy to Use and Clean: With embedded installation, you just need to put it flat on the car cupholder. It is also very quick to remove, there is a small bump on the coaster, pinch it and you can easily remove the coaster. It is very easy to clean, rinse with water or wipe with a wet towel (be careful not to clean with sharp tools).
- 100% Satisfaction: Our products have quality assurance, if you have questions or are not satisfied after receiving the product, don't worry, please contact us as soon as possible, we provide after-sales service.
For GTA VI, the date and platform information is especially time-sensitive. Rockstar’s release-date announcement set the launch for November 19, 2026, and its current page lists PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Since this article is dated November 14, 2026, the game has not yet reached that scheduled date. Check Rockstar’s current listing for any later change rather than assuming a scheduled date is a completed release.
Rockstar support also lists Standard and Ultimate editions. Its description of the physical Standard Edition matters to anyone buying a boxed copy: the box contains a digital download code, not a game disc. The support information says retailer shipping and pickup were expected to start November 12, 2026. Code redemption can depend on the region associated with the platform account, so Rockstar advises purchasing from a retailer in the account holder’s country to avoid activation problems. Check the official editions and versions guidance for current details before purchasing; retailer stock and regional listings can change.
What order should you play if you want the whole series?
If “whole series” means every game listed here, arrange the entries by year, while keeping the same-year ties unresolved unless you verify a more precise source. Start with the original game, include the two London expansions in 1999 without assigning them a within-year order, then continue through GTA 2, the 3D-era games and handheld branches, the 2009 expansions and Chinatown Wars, GTA V and Online, and finally GTA VI after its scheduled release. This is a collector’s chronology, not a minimum play list.
Also popular on Amazon
- 7 Colors Car Light: The led interior car lights are built-in 6 RGB LED lamp beads, which can be changed 7 different colors by touching, such as white, red, green, blue, yellow, pink purple, ice blue. The colors are bright and vivid, but not dazzling.Attention: Please charge before use.
- Touch Switch Design: Our led lights for car interior features touch control, one-key perspective lighting. Long touch to turn on/off, touch once to change the colors.
- Easy to Use: Stick the the iron plate in one place with double-sided tape, then put the light on it to complete the installation and fixation. Due to magnetic design, quickly install and remove, you also can attach the interior car lights to other metals.
- Portable & USB Rechargeable: Compact size, easy to carry, does not take up space. The wireless car led lights interior is charged by the USB cable, only need takes 40 minutes to fully charge the lights at a time, and keep lighting for about 2 hours.
- Wide Application: LED touch lights can be installed in dark places, such as storage boxes, armrest boxes, seat corners, etc. It's also suitable for bedside lights, wardrobe lights, reading lights, backpack lights, place it anywhere in the room, any dark place can be illuminated by it.
If you mean the numbered mainline games only, use the first table and omit the side games. If you mean a release-era tour, include the related releases after their corresponding mainline years. And if you mean the chronological order of fictional events, do not use this article as that guide: release order tells you when games appeared, not when their stories occur. That distinction prevents a common mix-up, particularly when a later-released title is set in an earlier period or revisits a familiar location.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The safest rule for any ambiguous year is simple: the year is reliable at the level this timeline claims; a precise sequence among titles sharing that year is not. Do not infer that one title came first merely because it is listed first in a table or group.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Are GTA release order and story order the same?
No. Release order records when each game was first released, while story order would require comparing the fictional dates and events within individual games. This timeline does not attempt that separate chronology.
Also popular on Amazon
- Creative DIY Mode: Choose from 16 million available colors or customize car led light effects to your liking in DIY mode via Govee Home app. Make your car stand out in unique style with creative freedom and outdoor decorations.
- Dynamic Music Mode: Built-in mic helps interior car lights sync with any music type. Liven up your road trips, weekend getaways or evening commute with colors that dance vibrantly to your favorite songs.
- Smart App Control: Manage the colors and brightness of car lights or choose music mode by one simple tap with Govee Home app. Enjoy a comfortable and vibrant driving experience with convenient control.
- 2 Lines Design: 2 lines design connect the 4 car led strip lights, attaching the inside car lights easily to any car model without worrying about exposed wiring or an untidy look.
- Simple Installation: Before you install, make sure the installation surface is clean and dry. Then attach the led lights for car to your vehicle with adhesive and support clips. Rubber tubing outside protects lights from water spills.
What does the GTA universe grouping mean?
It is a continuity aid: the series overview groups the original and GTA 2 as 2D, the GTA III era through Vice City Stories as 3D, and the later games from GTA IV onward as HD. Shared names or locations do not mean every title belongs to one continuous story.
Does the GTA VI physical edition include a disc?
No. Rockstar’s support information says the physical Standard Edition is a box containing a digital download code, not a disc. Redemption may be restricted by the region tied to the platform account.
Is the Definitive Edition trilogy the complete GTA series?
No. It contains Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas. It does not include the original games, the later mainline entries, or every handheld game and expansion.
