Ranking Every Grand Theft Auto Game From Worst To Best

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.

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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 September 21st, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Grand Theft Auto continues to dominate the mainstream as one of the most popular open-world games ever. The hype for the sixth mainline entry is through the roof already, and fans can't wait to get their hands on a game that will breathe new life into Vice City and its surroundings. If the wait is excruciating, then fans can always check out one of the many other titles in this legendary series, with some of these games being notably better than others at a glance. However, despite the graphical leaps that the franchise has taken, the classic games in the series still have a ton of things fans love, to the point where their quality is higher than later games in the series for justifiable reasons.

12 Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition

One Of The Most Disastrous Rockstar Launches Of All Time

Fans were disappointed to the moon and back when 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 unbearable for most players.

11 Grand Theft Auto

The Almost Unrecognizable Originator

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. To this day, it's hard to believe that this series became a reality because of a simple glitch that helped developers uncover a fun gameplay loop that had a ton of potential.

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

A Less Challenging Take On The Series' First Game

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. Given how difficult these classic GTA games were, this was a welcome change for fans.

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

A Fantastic Sequel, And A Clear Bridge Between GTA and GTA 3

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.

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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

A Prequel To The Classic GTA: Vice City

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

The Other GTA Prequel On The PSP, This One Canon For GTA 3

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

A Fusion Of Old And New, And An Elegant Look Back At The Series' Roots

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. The change in perspective takes a while to get used to, but fans who love the GTA gameplay loop will get familiar with Chinatown Wars in no time.

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

The True Originator Of The Modern Day GTA

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

One Of The Most Detailed Open Worlds Ever Created

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

The First Open-World Grand Theft Auto Game

G rand 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.

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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.