How to Play Every GTA Game in 2026: The Complete Guide

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is one of gaming’s biggest names, and Grand Theft Auto 6 is poised to become a landmark entertainment release when it arrives on Nov. 19. You might assume every game in the series is easy to find today. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Rockstar’s approach to its back catalogue has been uneven, especially when it comes to the early 2D titles and several spin-offs. Here’s a guide to the current availability of each game covered below, along with the most practical ways to play them.

The series is commonly grouped into three eras: the 2D universe, the 3D universe, and the HD universe. Most games from the 3D and HD eras can still be played in some form, although there are caveats. Many of the 2D-era entries, on the other hand, require original hardware or a workaround.

GTA Plus is a convenient starting point

Whether or not you regularly play GTA Online, a GTA Plus membership can be an affordable way to revisit some of Rockstar’s older games. The subscription includes a selection of classic titles, including several Grand Theft Auto games. The current lineup includes:

• Grand Theft Auto 3
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
• Grand Theft Auto 5
• Grand Theft Auto Online

GTA Plus costs $7.99 per month. Your subscription works on the platform where you signed up—console or PC—and also includes mobile editions when available.

Here’s a closer look at the games and where you can play them.

1 Grand Theft Auto

• Release year: 1997
• Platforms: Game Boy Color, PlayStation, Windows PC

The first Grand Theft Auto uses a top-down, 2D perspective and arrived before Rockstar Games was established. It is not currently sold through official channels. Rockstar once offered the game as a free download on its website, but removed it in 2013.

The original is now often described as abandonware, though deciding whether that makes an unofficial copy acceptable is a personal choice. On a modern PC, the game may need modifications to run. For those with vintage hardware, the Game Boy Color edition is quite limited, while the PlayStation release came with a printed map.

2 Grand Theft Auto: London 1969

• Release year: 1999
• Platforms: PlayStation, Windows PC

This expansion takes the original game’s action to London in 1969. Like the first GTA, it is no longer officially available. Playing on a modern PC may require a modified version, while a physical PlayStation copy can be used with original hardware. The PlayStation release was also sold separately as GTA: London — Special Edition.

3 Grand Theft Auto: London 1961

• Release year: 1999
• Platforms: Windows PC

The second expansion for the original GTA was released as freeware for PC. It is no longer officially distributed, and running it on a current computer may require modified code.

4 Grand Theft Auto 2

• Release year: 1999
• Platforms: Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PlayStation, Windows PC

This follow-up is set in 2013, which was still in the future when the game launched. It is no longer officially available, so you’ll need original hardware or a modified PC version to play it. The Game Boy Color edition is a scaled-down experience; the Dreamcast and PlayStation versions are better options if you have access to either console.

5 Grand Theft Auto 3

• Release year: 2001
• Platforms: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X

Availability improves considerably with the 3D-era games. GTA 3 helped reshape the series and is relatively easy to access, although the available versions come with some drawbacks.

The 2021 remaster, included in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition, is available on modern consoles, PC, and mobile devices. Developed by Grove Street Games, it drew criticism at launch for technical problems and visual changes that strayed from the original. Updates have addressed some issues, but it still may not satisfy players seeking an authentic version of this influential game.

For a closer match to the original, the 2011 10th Anniversary Edition remains available on iOS and Android. An original PlayStation 2 or Xbox copy is likely the best choice for players who want to experience the game as it first appeared.

6 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

• Release year: 2002
• Platforms: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X

The same options and caveats that apply to GTA 3 also apply to Vice City. The 2021 remaster is widely available, but its changes do not fully preserve the original game. The 10th Anniversary mobile edition is another option, while players looking for the classic release can seek out a PlayStation 2 or Xbox copy.

7 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

• Release year: 2004
• Platforms: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X

As with the other two games in the trilogy, the Definitive Edition is the most straightforward way to play San Andreas today. If you’d rather avoid the remaster’s alterations, look for the 10th Anniversary mobile release or an original PlayStation 2 or Xbox version.

There’s another possibility: the 10th Anniversary edition also appeared on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 version works through backward compatibility on Xbox One and Xbox Series X. It is no longer sold, but owners of a digital copy or disc can still play it on a current Xbox console.

8 Grand Theft Auto Advance

• Release year: 2004
• Platforms: Game Boy Advance

GTA Advance is an unusual entry: it returns to the franchise’s top-down 2D presentation but belongs to the 3D universe’s continuity and takes place before GTA 3. The game is no longer officially available, so playing it means finding an original cartridge and compatible hardware.

9 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

• Release year: 2005
• Platforms: Android, iOS

This prequel to GTA 3 brings the series’ familiar 3D gameplay to Liberty City. It first appeared on PlayStation Portable before receiving a PlayStation 2 release. Today, the simplest way to play is through the mobile edition released in the mid-2010s.

10 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

• Release year: 2006
• Platforms: PSP, PlayStation 2

Rockstar followed its handheld prequel to GTA 3 with this companion story to Vice City. Unlike Liberty City Stories, it never received a mobile port. The game is no longer officially sold, so you’ll need a PSP or PlayStation 2 to play it.

 

Source: Polygon