GameTimeline

Release & story order

Grand Theft Auto timeline

Grand Theft Auto from the 1997 top-down original through the 3D trilogy, GTA IV and its episodes, GTA V, and the upcoming GTA VI (May 2026)—US release dates, Liberty City / Vice City / Los Santos story years, and FAQ for GTA Online, Definitive Edition, and the classic GTA 1–2 era.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Rockstar shipped each chapter—Grand Theft Auto (1997) through GTA V (2013), with Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories on PSP, GTA IV and its two episodes (2008–2009), and GTA VI planned for May 26, 2026. The Trilogy – Definitive Edition remaster bundle is FAQ-only—not extra story rows.

  • Classic path → GTA III → Vice City → San Andreas → GTA IV → episodes → GTA V
  • Full release history → start at GTA (1997) or skip 1–2 and begin at III
  • PSP prequels → Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories slot before III and Vice City on Story order
  • GTA VI (2026) → play through V first—likely same HD universe as IV/V
Story order tips

Rockstar groups canon into the 3D universe (III era through San Andreas spin-offs) and the HD universe (IV, episodes, Chinatown Wars, V). Story years run 1984 (Vice City Stories) through 2013 (GTA V). GTA 1 and GTA 2 sit outside that continuity—Release rows only.

  • 3D universe: Vice City Stories (1984) → Vice City (1986) → San Andreas (1992) → Liberty City Stories (1998) → GTA III (2001)
  • HD universe: GTA IV (2008) → The Lost and Damned & Ballad of Gay Tony (parallel) → Chinatown Wars → GTA V (2013)
  • GTA Online extends after V—live service, not a numbered Story row
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Grand Theft Auto

    Grand Theft Auto

    PCPS1ActionClassic

    Top-down open cities—Liberty City, San Andreas, Vice City in one package.

    Overview
    DMA Design's satirical crime sandbox—started the franchise before the 3D revolution.
    In-game setting
    Loosely connected caricature cities—not the same canon map as GTA III onward.
    Should you play it?
    Historical curiosity—most story-order guides start at GTA III or Vice City Stories.
    Release date
    US PC launch October 21, 1997. PS1 port June 1998.
  2. Grand Theft Auto 2

    Grand Theft Auto 2

    PCPS1DreamcastActionClassic

    Anywhere City gang warfare—still top-down.

    Overview
    Reputation system between rival factions; last of the classic top-down mainline.
    In-game setting
    Standalone Anywhere City—no story link to Claude, Tommy, or Niko.
    Should you play it?
    Optional for completionists—skip for 3D/HD universe playthroughs.
    Release date
    US PC launch October 25, 1999.
  3. Grand Theft Auto III

    Grand Theft Auto III

    PS2PCXboxActionMainline3D Universe

    3D Liberty City—Claude's silent escape from a bank heist gone wrong.

    Overview
    Franchise leap to 3D open worlds—radio stations, wanted levels, and emergent chaos.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2001—opens the 3D universe Rockstar expanded for a decade.
    Should you play it?
    Common starting point for newcomers skipping the 1990s top-down games.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch October 22, 2001. Remastered in The Trilogy – Definitive Edition (2021).
  4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

    Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

    PS2PCXboxActionMainline3D Universe

    1980s Miami pastiche—Tommy Vercetti builds a criminal empire.

    Overview
    Period soundtrack, mansion assets, and stronger narrative voice for the series.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1986—despite shipping after GTA III.
    Should you play it?
    Fan-favorite entry—play after Vice City Stories on strict Story order.
    Release date
    US launch October 27, 2002. Definitive Edition in 2021 trilogy bundle.
  5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

    Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

    PS2PCXboxActionMainline3D Universe

    CJ returns to Los Santos—gangs, countryside, and Las Venturas.

    Overview
    Massive multi-city map, RPG-lite stats, and Grove Street Families arc.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1992—largest scope of the 3D era.
    Should you play it?
    Essential 3D chapter—Story order anchor between Vice City and Liberty City Stories.
    Release date
    US launch October 26, 2004. Definitive Edition 2021.
  6. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

    Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

    PSPPS2ActionSpin-off3D Universe

    Toni Cipriani in 1998 Liberty City—prequel to GTA III.

    Overview
    PSP flagship showing 3D Liberty City before the console trilogy wrapped on handheld.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1998—bridges San Andreas era to GTA III.
    Should you play it?
    Important for lore completionists—optional for casual III → VC → SA paths.
    Release date
    US PSP launch October 25, 2005. PS2 port October 2006.
  7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

    Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

    PSPPS2ActionSpin-off3D Universe

    Victor Vance in 1984 Vice City—earliest 3D-universe story.

    Overview
    Second PSP prequel—introduces Lance Vance's brother Victor.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1984—first on Story order chronology.
    Should you play it?
    Start of strict 3D story order—skip if you only want the PS2 trilogy.
    Release date
    US PSP launch October 31, 2006. PS2 port March 2007.
  8. Grand Theft Auto IV

    Grand Theft Auto IV

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionMainlineHD Universe

    Niko Bellic arrives in Liberty City—gritty HD reboot of the city.

    Overview
    Euphoria physics, phone-centric missions, and moral weight—new HD universe begins.
    In-game setting
    Story autumn 2008—no direct character crossover with 3D-era protagonists.
    Should you play it?
    Gateway to HD universe—play 3D games first only if you want historical context, not required.
    Release date
    US launch April 29, 2008. Complete Edition bundles episodes on modern stores.
  9. The Lost and Damned

    The Lost and Damned

    Xbox 360PS3PCExpansionMainlineHD Universe

    Johnny Klebitz and the Lost MC—parallel to Niko's story.

    Overview
    First GTA IV episode—biker focus, darker tone, overlaps IV missions.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2008—runs concurrent with GTA IV.
    Should you play it?
    Play after starting GTA IV—before or alongside Ballad of Gay Tony.
    Release date
    US Xbox 360 launch February 17, 2009. Included in GTA IV: The Complete Edition.
  10. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

    Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

    Nintendo DSPSPMobileActionSpin-offHD Universe

    Huang Lee in Liberty City triad war—top-down HD-universe entry.

    Overview
    Return to top-down view with drug-dealing mechanics and cel-shaded look.
    In-game setting
    Story set in HD Liberty City after IV events—connects to HD universe.
    Should you play it?
    Optional side chapter—many players skip; included for HD completionists.
    Release date
    US Nintendo DS launch March 17, 2009. Mobile and PSP ports later.
  11. The Ballad of Gay Tony

    The Ballad of Gay Tony

    Xbox 360PS3PCExpansionMainlineHD Universe

    Luis Lopez in Liberty City nightlife—finale of the IV arc.

    Overview
    Second IV episode—club scene, parachutes, and diamond heist crossover with IV.
    In-game setting
    Story late 2008 into 2009—closes Niko's Liberty City era.
    Should you play it?
    Finish IV saga here before GTA V.
    Release date
    US launch October 29, 2009. Bundled in Complete Edition.
  12. Grand Theft Auto V

    Grand Theft Auto V

    PS3Xbox 360PS4Xbox OnePCPS5Xbox Series X|SActionMainlineHD Universe

    Michael, Franklin, and Trevor in Los Santos—heist blockbuster.

    Overview
    Three-protagonist structure, GTA Online launch, and record-breaking sales.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2013—same HD universe as IV with returning radio/lore nods.
    Should you play it?
    Current mainline endpoint before GTA VI—play IV episodes first for HD context.
    Release date
    US launch September 17, 2013. Expanded PS5/XSX versions March 2022.
  13. Grand Theft Auto VI

    Grand Theft Auto VI

    PS5Xbox Series X|SActionMainlineUpcoming

    Return to Vice City region—Lucia and Jason dual protagonists.

    Overview
    Rockstar's next mainline after an 13-year gap since V's console debut.
    In-game setting
    Trailer and marketing place modern Vice City / Leonida—likely HD universe continuation.
    Should you play it?
    Upcoming row—dates and platforms may change; check Rockstar Newswire before buying.
    Release date
    Planned US launch May 26, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S per Rockstar (June 2026).

FAQ

Release vs story order, 3D vs HD universe, IV episode placement, PSP prequels, remasters, and GTA Online.

Release order

Release order is when Rockstar launched each GTA in the US (1997–2026)—Vice City and San Andreas shipped before their prequels on PSP. Story order follows in-fiction years: Vice City Stories (1984) through GTA V (2013), with GTA IV episodes running parallel in 2008. GTA 1 and GTA 2 are Release rows only—they do not slot into the 3D/HD universe timeline.

Quick modern path: GTA IV: The Complete Edition → GTA V → (wait for GTA VI). Classic 3D path: GTA III → Vice City → San Andreas. Full story chronology: Vice City Stories → Vice City → San Andreas → Liberty City Stories → GTA III → GTA IV + both episodes → Chinatown Wars (optional) → GTA V. Most newcomers skip GTA 1–2 and the PSP games on a first pass.

Story & universes

Rockstar treats 3D universe (GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories) and HD universe (GTA IV, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony, Chinatown Wars, GTA V, likely GTA VI) as separate continuities. Cities and brands recur but protagonists do not cross over. Radio hosts and Easter eggs reference earlier games as in-universe media—not proof of one merged timeline.

Both are GTA IV episodes set in parallel during autumn 2008 in Liberty City—numbered Release and Story rows here. Start GTA IV first, then play The Lost and Damned, then The Ballad of Gay Tony for the full HD Liberty City arc. They share crossover missions with Niko's campaign. Buy GTA IV: The Complete Edition on modern platforms for all three in one package.

Grand Theft Auto VI is planned for May 26, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S per Rockstar's latest announcement (verify on Rockstar Newswire before launch). Trailers show a return to Vice City / Leonida with dual protagonists Lucia and Jason. It is listed as an upcoming Release row—not on Story order until the game ships and story years are confirmed. Play GTA V and ideally the full HD IV arc first.

Remasters & editions

Optional & online

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.