GameTimeline

Release & story order

Grand Theft Auto timeline

Grand Theft Auto across three Rockstar universes—2D (1997–1999), 3D (III through Vice City Stories), and HD (IV through GTA VI in May 2026)—with US release dates, in-fiction story years, and FAQ for Steam play order, GTA Online, Definitive Edition, London packs, and GTA Advance.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Rockstar shipped each chapter—grouped here into 2D, 3D, and HD universes. Grand Theft Auto (1997) through GTA V (2013), plus London expansions, GTA Advance, PSP Stories, IV episodes, and GTA VI planned for May 26, 2026. The Trilogy – Definitive Edition remaster bundle is FAQ-only—not extra story rows.

  • Scan the three colored blocks—2D history, then 3D trilogy era, then HD modern path
  • Classic path → GTA III → Vice City → San Andreas → GTA IV → episodes → GTA V
  • Steam PC path → Trilogy Definitive (or originals) → IV Complete → V—see Steam FAQ
  • Full release history → start at GTA (1997); London packs and Advance are optional lore
  • PSP prequels → Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories rearrange on Story order
  • GTA VI (2026) → play through V first—likely HD universe; console-first at announce
Story order tips

Canon splits into three universes. Story order covers 3D (1984–2001, including Advance) then HD (2008–2013). 2D-era games stay on Release only. GTA VI joins Story after it ships.

  • 3D universe: Vice City Stories (1984) → Vice City (1986) → San Andreas (1992) → Liberty City Stories (1998) → Advance (2000) → GTA III (2001)
  • HD universe: GTA IV (2008) → The Lost and Damned & Ballad of Gay Tony (parallel) → Chinatown Wars → GTA V (2013)
  • 2D universe (GTA 1, London, GTA 2) does not appear on Story order
  • 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

Release order grouped by Rockstar universe (2D → 3D → HD). Expand a row for platforms, US dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

2D Universe

1997–1999 top-down era — Grand Theft Auto, London expansions, and GTA 2. Separate continuity from III onward; skip for modern play paths.

Rockstar splits Grand Theft Auto into three universes (2D, 3D, HD). Read each colored block top to bottom — they are separate continuities, not one merged saga. Cities and brands recur; protagonists do not carry over.

  1. Grand Theft Auto

    Grand Theft Auto

    PCPS1ActionClassic

    Top-down open cities—opens the 2D universe (Liberty City, San Andreas, Vice City caricatures).

    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?
    Opens the 2D universe block—most modern guides skip ahead to GTA III or Vice City Stories.
    Release date
    US PC launch October 21, 1997. PS1 port June 1998.
  2. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

    Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

    PCPS1ActionExpansion

    Swinging London expansion for the original GTA—mission pack, not a new mainline.

    Overview
    Period British crime satire—new map, vehicles, and radio for the 2D engine.
    In-game setting
    Requires Grand Theft Auto (1997)—same 2D universe continuity.
    Should you play it?
    Optional franchise history—skip for 3D/HD play paths.
    Release date
    PC/PS1 expansion released April 1999 (region dates vary).
  3. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961

    Grand Theft Auto: London 1961

    PCActionExpansion

    Bonus 1961 London pack bundled with London 1969 on PC.

    Overview
    Shorter companion missions in early-60s London.
    In-game setting
    Still 2D universe—no link to III-era protagonists.
    Should you play it?
    Completionist footnote—rarely needed for modern timelines.
    Release date
    PC release June 1999 with/alongside the London 1969 pack.
  4. 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; last 2D-universe mainline.
    Release date
    US PC launch October 25, 1999.

3D Universe

2001–2006 — GTA III through Vice City Stories (plus GTA Advance). Same Rockstar continuity; story years rearrange on the Story tab.

  1. Grand Theft Auto III

    Grand Theft Auto III

    PS2PCXboxActionMainline

    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 2D universe and handheld spin-offs.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch October 22, 2001. Remastered in The Trilogy – Definitive Edition (2021).
  2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

    Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

    PS2PCXboxActionMainline

    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.
  3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

    Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

    PS2PCXboxActionMainline

    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.
  4. Grand Theft Auto Advance

    Grand Theft Auto Advance

    GBAActionSpin-off

    Top-down GBA Liberty City—3D-universe prequel set in 2000, one year before GTA III.

    Overview
    Handheld story with 3D-era systems (wanted levels, side missions) in a top-down view.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2000—canon 3D universe despite 2D graphics.
    Should you play it?
    Optional lore chapter—hard to find legally on modern storefronts; FAQ notes availability.
    Release date
    US Game Boy Advance launch October 26, 2004 (same day as San Andreas).
  5. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

    Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

    PSPPS2ActionSpin-off

    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.
  6. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

    Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

    PSPPS2ActionSpin-off

    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.

HD Universe

2008–present — GTA IV, episodes, Chinatown Wars, GTA V, and GTA VI (upcoming). New Liberty City / Los Santos continuity.

  1. Grand Theft Auto IV

    Grand Theft Auto IV

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionMainline

    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.
  2. The Lost and Damned

    The Lost and Damned

    Xbox 360PS3PCExpansionMainline

    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.
  3. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

    Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

    Nintendo DSPSPMobileActionSpin-off

    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.
  4. The Ballad of Gay Tony

    The Ballad of Gay Tony

    Xbox 360PS3PCExpansionMainline

    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.
  5. Grand Theft Auto V

    Grand Theft Auto V

    PS3Xbox 360PS4Xbox OnePCPS5Xbox Series X|SActionMainline

    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.
  6. 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, Steam PC path, 2D/3D/HD universes, IV episodes, remasters, and GTA Online.

Release order

Release order is when Rockstar launched each GTA in the US (1997–2026), grouped on this page into 2D, 3D, and HD universe blocks. Vice City and San Andreas shipped before their PSP prequels. Story order follows in-fiction years: Vice City Stories (1984) through GTA V (2013), with Advance in 2000 and GTA IV episodes parallel in 2008. 2D-universe games (GTA 1, London packs, GTA 2) are Release rows only—they do not slot into the 3D/HD story chronology.

Quick modern path: GTA IV: The Complete Edition → GTA V → (wait for GTA VI). Steam PC path: same titles—see the Steam FAQ for store packages. Classic 3D path: GTA III → Vice City → San Andreas. Full 3D→HD story chronology: Vice City Stories → Vice City → San Andreas → Liberty City Stories → Advance (optional) → GTA III → GTA IV + both episodes → Chinatown Wars (optional) → GTA V. Most newcomers skip the entire 2D universe, Advance, and the PSP games on a first pass.

On Steam (and Epic), the practical Grand Theft Auto timeline is the same as console, with different store packages.

Steam play order (recommended): Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition (III → Vice City → San Andreas) → Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition (base + both episodes) → Grand Theft Auto V (includes Online).

HD-only shortcut: IV Complete → V if you skip the 3D era.

Not on modern Steam as mainline: Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, GTA Advance, and the London packs (legacy/handheld); GTA 1–2 may appear as classic re-releases—optional 2D-universe history. GTA VI was announced for current-gen consoles first—check Rockstar for any later PC/Steam window. Store listings change—verify before buying. Hardware context → game consoles timeline.

Story & universes

Rockstar groups Grand Theft Auto into three separate continuities: - 2D universe: Grand Theft Auto (1997), London 1969, London 1961, GTA 2—top-down classics. - 3D universe: GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, GTA Advance, Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories. - HD universe: GTA IV, The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony, Chinatown Wars, GTA V, and likely GTA VI. 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. Colored blocks on Release and Story order match these three groups.

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 sits in the HD universe Release block as an upcoming 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.