Ranking Best Grand Theft Auto Main Entry Games

The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series has set a high bar for open-world gaming since its inception in the year 1997. Each installment brings its own unique flair, storylines, and innovative gameplay mechanics. Only the main entry games will be ranked in this article. Here’s a look at the top main entry GTA games, ranked in order of their iconic status and lasting impact on the gaming world.



1. GTA: San Andreas:

The game was released in 2004, and it won many awards and became the bestselling PS2 game, GTA: San Andreas is often hailed as one of the most influential video games of all time. The game follows the story of Carl Johnson (CJ), who returns to Los Santos to find his family in turmoil after his mother’s death. With its massive map, covering three cities, and in-depth character customization, San Andreas expanded the GTA formula with RPG elements. From gang warfare to an expansive countryside, this game set the bar high for open-world exploration and is still beloved for its music, humor, and complex characters. GTA SA suffered many unofficial sales which is the reason why it sales pale so much in comparison to GTA 5, in a place like Africa where piracy is very common, several people played the game on their phones without ever registering a single sale for Rockstar, but if all sales are to be counted, GTA SA is the second bestselling GTA of all times and would have been in one of the top in the world.



2. GTA V:

Rockstar took everything to the next level with GTA V, delivering a game that has remained relevant since its release in 2013. The graphical leap from it to the last entry was the largest we have seen between GTA games. With three main characters—Michael, Trevor, and Franklin—players experience interconnected stories in the vibrant world of Los Santos and Blaine County. The game broke new ground with its seamless character switching, expansive map (though it is majorly filled with mountains), and the detailed online mode, GTA Online, which has kept players engaged for over a decade. From heists to car chases, GTA V combines immersive storytelling with groundbreaking graphics and gameplay. The major reason GTA 5 got second place was due to it’s graphical fidelity compared to other GTA games. It is the second bestselling game at the time of writing and is the reason why people think GTA 6 would take that spot a few years after release. Though that’s skeptical, maybe it might be true.

3. GTA IV

Released in 2008, GTA IV introduced players to Liberty City’s gritty streets through the eyes of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant searching for the American Dream. This entry in the series is renowned for its dark and mature narrative, highlighting the challenges faced by Niko as he navigates crime, betrayal, and loss. The game’s physics engine was a standout feature which many fans love, offering realistic driving and combat mechanics that made Liberty City feel more alive than ever before. While some fans missed the humorous elements of previous games, GTA IV established a new, more serious tone for the franchise. It was the first HD game of the GTA franchise, and the graphical leap from it to GTA Vice City Stories, the previous game, was the first significant leap Rockstar took in terms of graphical fidelity.

4. GTA: Vice City

With its neon lights and 80s soundtrack, GTA: Vice City brought players into a nostalgic Miami-inspired setting that is unmatched in its style. Tommy Vercetti’s rise to power in Vice City is one of the most iconic stories in the franchise, capturing the essence of 1980s crime films like Scarface. Released in 2002, the game introduced the ability to buy properties, creating a sense of ownership and influence over Vice City. Its memorable characters, classic soundtrack, and tropical setting make Vice City a timeless entry in the series. To some, it is still the best entry. It developed a lot of things from GTA 3 like adding motorcycles, ability to eat, larger map, better character and character customization, and so on, but the innovation in SA was too much, the graphical fidelity of 5 and 4 were too far ahead for it to compete.

5. GTA III

GTA III, released in 2001, was a groundbreaking title that revolutionized open-world gaming. It is obviously the worst amongst the main GTA games from the 3D era and above at least according to peoples’ opinions, though I personally like the game and think it deserves more because it did a lot for its time, it can’t be ranked higher. It was the first 3D game in the series, setting a new standard for video games by giving players the freedom to explore Liberty City in any way they chose. Although it may seem simple by today’s standards, the game’s impact on gaming cannot be overstated. It laid the foundation for everything that would come after, establishing Rockstar as a leader in creating immersive, open-world experiences. From missions to the freedom of exploration, GTA III introduced players to a world of possibilities that defined the franchise.

Each of these titles has left a lasting mark on gaming, offering different takes on the open-world formula while maintaining the series’ signature style and storytelling. Whether you’re a fan of San Andreas’s RPG elements, GTA V’s stunning graphics, or Vice City’s nostalgic vibes, the Grand Theft Auto series continues to be a pioneer in the world of gaming.

To continue the list, here are the early classics that laid the groundwork for the series, people don’t like remembering them but they should be recalled every once in a while:

6. GTA 2

Released in 1999, GTA 2 took players to a futuristic, crime-ridden city called Anywhere City. While it retained the top-down perspective of the original GTA, GTA 2 added new features like gang affiliations, which allowed players to align with different gangs for unique missions and rewards. It also introduced the “wanted” level system, a staple of the series, making police chases more intense. Though it didn’t reach the same level of popularity as the 3D games, GTA 2 set the stage for many of the mechanics that would define the series in the years to come.

7. GTA 1

The game that started it all, GTA 1, launched in 1997, featured a top-down perspective and offered players a sandbox experience that was revolutionary for its time. Set across three cities—Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City—players could choose to complete missions or explore at their own pace. The original GTA introduced the chaos and freedom that would become the hallmark of the series, with an emphasis on criminal activities, car theft, and evading the police. Although simplistic by today’s standards, GTA 1 laid the foundation for one of the most successful video game franchises in history.

These early entries brought a raw, chaotic charm to gaming and created a framework that later titles would build upon. Despite their simplicity, GTA 1 and GTA 2 were pivotal in shaping the core concepts of freedom and exploration that define the Grand Theft Auto series.

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