How to Play GTA Games in Order: Chronological vs. Release Timeline Guide

If you want to jump into the world of Grand Theft Auto but don’t know where to begin, we are here to help you. With 17 games set in different cities and time periods, it can feel like a lot. This guide on how to play GTA games in order breaks down the best ways to experience the series. Let’s take a look.

Chronological Order vs. Release Order: Which Is Better?

There are two main approaches to playing through the GTA series. The first one is in chronological order, which is following the in-game timeline, or by their release order, where you can play the games as they came out. Each approach offers a different experience.

How to Play GTA Games in Chronological Order

Playing GTA games in chronological order lets you follow the series’ timeline from the 1960s all the way to the modern day. You’ll see how the fictional cities and characters evolved through different decades. Here’s the complete chronological order:

Playing the Grand Theft Auto series in chronological order has its pros and cons. On the positive side, you’ll experience the story in timeline order, which helps character appearances and references make more sense. It also lets you see how the game world evolves through the decades.

However, starting with older games means dealing with more limited gameplay and outdated graphics. The visual quality will jump around instead of gradually improving, and some gameplay features might feel like a step backward as you move through the series.

How to Play GTA Games in Release Order

Playing in release order lets you experience the series as millions of fans did, watching the gameplay and graphics evolve with each new title. Here is the complete release order:

Playing the Grand Theft Auto series in release order has its advantages and drawbacks, too. One of the main benefits is seeing how the games evolved, with each new title improving on graphics, gameplay, and features. It also helps you understand the impact each game had on the gaming industry when it launched.

However, the story does not follow a straight timeline and jumps back and forth between different periods. Newer games might also spoil key story elements from earlier-set games. For first-time players, release order is often the best way to experience the whole series, as it reflects how the games were originally introduced to the world.

The Best Way to Play GTA for First-Timers

If you’re new to the series, a better way to play is by using a mixed approach that gives you both a good story and better gameplay. Here is our recommendation:

1. Start with GTA 3, the game that launched the modern 3D era and changed open-world games forever.
2. Next, play Vice City and San Andreas to experience the complete 3D Universe trilogy.
3. After that, move on to GTA 4 and its expansions. These games mark the start of the HD Universe and bring a more serious story to the series.
4. Then, play GTA 5 and GTA Online, which offer the most polished gameplay and the most content in the series so far.
5. Finally, get ready for GTA 6, which will take players back to Vice City with a new story and updated world.

If you still want to play more GTA after that, you can check out the Stories games, like Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, or explore the classic 2D games.

Also Read:

• 10 GTA Game Controversies: From Hot Coffee to Celebrity Lawsuits That Made Headlines
• Games to Play Before GTA 6 Arrives: 5 Open-World Alternatives
• Borderlands 4 Release Date Moved Up: What This Means for GTA 6 Launch Window

Which GTA Games Can You Skip?

While each GTA game has its merits, some are more essential than others:

No matter what order you play in, the GTA series gives you hundreds of hours of fun. Each game reflects the time it was made and the time it’s set in. The best part is that every game can be enjoyed on its own but also adds to the bigger GTA world. As you wait for GTA 6 to arrive in 2025, now’s the perfect time to experience the games that made this series a cultural phenomenon.