The GTA timeline in chronological order
Here's where every GTA game sits chronologically within its respective universe.
The GTA franchise has numerous games, but each title isn’t set in the same universe. There are three separate universes, each with multiple locations, characters, and stories. Another factor is that a game that is released later doesn’t have to be a sequel, and its timeline could make it a prequel. This is why it’s important to understand the 2D, 3D, and HD universes, as well as which games are sequels and which are prequels, to figure out how the GTA timeline works. Once you understand how the GTA timeline works, you will understand the chronological order of the games and also which order to play the popular titles in.
2D GTA universe
The original games are set in the 2D universe, and they don’t have much character development or narrative depth. Missions mostly focus on acquiring points rather than being important to the narrative and advancing the storyline. Some of the titles had multiple playable characters, but they’re no more than avatars. The characters don’t have any gameplay differences or special abilities to differentiate them from each other.
| Chronological year | Game | Release year | Platforms |
| 1961 | Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 | 1999 |
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| 1969 | Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 | 1999 |
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| 1997 | Grand Theft Auto | 1997 |
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| N/A | Grand Theft Auto 2 | 1999 |
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Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 and Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 were both expansion packs for the original GTA game. GTA: London 1961 was released in 1999 for the PC and was also set in 1961 chronologically in the GTA universe. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 was also released in 1999 for the PC and PS1, but it was set in 1969 in the GTA universe.
Grand Theft Auto was the first game, which was released in 1997. The game was also chronologically set in 1997, which makes the expansion pack prequels. Grand Theft Auto 2 was released in 1999. However, the exact chronological year for GTA 2 isn’t confirmed. It’s set in a dystopian future.
3D GTA universe
The GTA franchise transitioned into a 3D open-world setup with GTA III. Despite this game being the first 3D GTA title, it isn’t the first chronologically in the 3D GTA universe.
| Chronological year | Game | Release year | Platform |
| 1984 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories | 2006 |
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| 1986 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | 2002 |
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| 1992 | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | 2004 |
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| 1998 | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories | 2005 |
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| 2000 | GTA Advance | 2004 |
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| 2001 | GTA III | 2001 |
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The silent protagonist Claude was the one who introduced fans to the 3D GTA experience, but he’s the last in the 3D universe chronologically. GTA’s 3D universe started in 1984 with the story of the disgraced Victor Vance, who goes on to become a top criminal in Vice City. Victor Vance dies in 1986, setting off the events of GTA: Vice City. This game is the second chronologically and focuses on the popular Tommy Vercetti, as he goes from a criminal underdog to running the show in Vice City.
GTA then takes players to Grove Street in 1992, where they control one of the most popular protagonists of the franchise, CJ. This game expanded substantially on gameplay mechanics, introducing eating, working out, vehicle and weapons proficiency, and much more. San Andreas also introduced gang territory warfare, where CJ could gain respect based on his actions.
Liberty City Stories is set in 1998, but the protagonist Toni isn’t as well developed as Tommy or CJ. Rockstar developed and released GTA Advance for the Game Boy Advance, with the story following Mike as he investigates the apparent murder of his friend. GTA III follows the silent character, Claude, who is betrayed by his girlfriend and left for dead. Claude survives and begins his journey to becoming the shot caller in Liberty City while also trying to take revenge. Ironically, the GTA title that started the 3D universe is also the last one in it.
HD GTA universe
GTA’s HD universe took things to another level compared to the 3D universe, as the games became more realistic. Rockstar Games also launched GTA Online, which became a massive hit because of the multiplayer element combined with having substantial character customization.
| Chronological year | Game | Release year | Platform |
| 2008 | GTA IV | 2008 |
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| 2008 | Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned | 2009 |
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| 2008 | Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony | 2009 |
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| 2009 | Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars | 2009 |
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| 2013 | GTA V | 2013 |
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| 2013-2026 | Grand Theft Auto Online | 2013 |
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| N/A | GTA 6 | 2026 |
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The HD universe began with Niko Bellic arriving in Liberty City with a troubled past. Despite the character’s inner turmoil, he had a penchant for violence and quickly made a name for himself in the criminal underground. The events of The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony are expansions for GTA IV, and their stories overlap with the main game significantly.
Chinatown Wars revolves around Huang Lee, who comes to Liberty City to deliver a family heirloom following his father’s death. He becomes embroiled in the criminal scene after the family heirloom is stolen. GTA V is next in line chronologically, and it takes players to San Andreas’ Los Santos. While the location becomes a part of the continuity, it’s unclear what happened to CJ and Grove Street. GTA V instead focuses on Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, with the three completing various heists and other missions.
GTA Online launched in 2013, but it’s different from the other titles in the franchise. It works as a multiplayer mode where players build their criminal careers in San Andreas. GTA 6 is the latest upcoming title in the series, but it’s unclear when it’s set chronologically in the universe. The game takes players to the state of Leonida and revisits Vice City. It follows Lucia and Jason as they are pulled deeper into crime and rise in the underworld.
Should you play the games in chronological order?
The GTA universe may have a chronological order, but the games aren’t built to be played in any particular order. While some games may reference an incident or character from another, there isn’t a requirement that players have all the knowledge. Players can play the games in any way they prefer. This can be the chronological order, based on release, or just a random playthrough.
Khizar Mundia
Khizar Mundia is a lifelong gamer who has been gaming since the days of the first PlayStation. Not having any platform bias and loving all genres equally, Khizar ensures his work reflects his desire to share his thoughts with others. He has written for multiple outlets and covered various topics, but video games are his go-to.
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