Franchise Directory

Grand Theft Auto

The Grand Theft Auto franchise has 8 entries. Play in Release Order for newcomers, Chronological Order for lore completionists.

8
Total Games
1997
Franchise Start
3
Delisted Count
Simple – Moderate
CIB Complexity
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OwnedYour shelfOwn#TitleYearPlatformCIBComplete In BoxCIB $WarningsFakes · Region · AudioFind / Buy
1
Grand Theft AutoOptional
1997PC
2
Grand Theft Auto 2Optional
1999PC
3
Grand Theft Auto IIIEssentialDELISTED
Removed from digital stores Dec 2021. Physical copy required.
2001PS2SimpleWhat is CIB? →
⚠️
4
Grand Theft Auto: Vice CityEssentialDELISTED
Removed from digital stores Dec 2021.
2002PS2Simple
⚠️
5
Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasEssentialDELISTED
Removed from digital stores Dec 2021.
2004PS2Simple
⚠️
6
Grand Theft Auto IVEssential
2008PS3Moderate
7
Grand Theft Auto VEssential
2014PS4Simple
8
Grand Theft Auto VIOptional
2026PS5

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Which Grand Theft Auto Games Are Essential?

Essential marks the installments that carry the spine of Grand Theft Auto's main story and world-building — the ones collectors and lore-focused players treat as must-play for the core narrative. On GameOrder, Essential titles include Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Recommended entries meaningfully enrich the franchise — strong stories, fan favorites, or connective tissue that pays off after the essentials, without being strictly required. No games in this list are tagged Recommended right now.

Optional games are fair to skip for continuity; they are side paths, experiments, or lighter fare that fans can pick up when they want more, not when they need the main plot. Optional tagged titles: Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto 2, and Grand Theft Auto VI.

Spinoff titles sit apart from the primary saga — different genres, timelines, or branding — and are best treated as extras after you know the heart of the series. No Spinoff tags appear on these rows.

If you enjoyed Grand Theft Auto

📖 New to Grand Theft Auto? Read our beginner's guide →