Every Grand Theft Auto game, ranked
All 10 Grand Theft Auto games we hold, spanning 2001 to 2026: 5 ranked by the GamingPickz Score and plotted below, the rest listed in release order so nothing in the series is missing. Together they carry 650,033 Steam reviews.
Where to start
- For the best-reviewed: Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition (GamingPickz Score 8.0), the highest-rated entry we can score.
- For canon order: begin with Grand Theft Auto III (2001) and follow the release-order timeline below.
- For the money: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition gives the most score per dollar right now.
The Grand Theft Auto games on the grid
Compare the whole catalogueThe same 5 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.
5 games have both
Axes are fitted to these 5 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.
Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.
Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.
- PC
Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.
How positions are decided
No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
- Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
- Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
- No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
- A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
- Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.
Every game by critic score
The grid above is built from Steam data, so it can only place the Grand Theft Auto games that were on Steam. This one uses the Metacritic critic aggregate, which the older console-only entries have too, so the whole series lands on a single chart: critic score against release year.
On Steam (also has a GamingPickz Score) Console-only (Metacritic only)
5 best Grand Theft Auto games, ranked
Ordered by GamingPickz Score. Every figure links back to the source that produced it.
- 1
Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
8.0GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceGrand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition at a glance Released Not recorded Studio Rockstar North Player sentiment 83% positive of 202,491 Critics 90/100 Price Not listed Steam Deck playable Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 83% shrinks to 83.0 on 202,491 reviews, then blends with the 90 critic aggregate, giving 8.0.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 2
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
8.0GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceGrand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Rockstar North Player sentiment 83% positive of 202,430 Critics 90/100 Price $19.99 Steam Deck playable Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 83% shrinks to 83.0 on 202,430 reviews, then blends with the 90 critic aggregate, giving 8.0.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 3
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
7.8GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceGrand Theft Auto V Enhanced at a glance Released 2025 Studio Rockstar North Player sentiment 83% positive of 219,023 Critics No aggregate Price $19.79 Steam Deck unsupported Install size 105 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 83% shrinks to 83.0 on 219,023 reviews, giving 7.8. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
Worth checking first- Carries in-game purchases. Check what they cost before committing.
- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- Valve rates it Unsupported on the Steam Deck.
- 4
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category
7.0GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2023 Studio Rockstar Games Player sentiment 80% positive of 16,017 Critics No aggregate Price $59.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 19 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 80% shrinks to 80.1 on 16,017 reviews, giving 7.0. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 5
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City
Best for: Playing with other people
6.4GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceGrand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City at a glance Released 2010 Studio Rockstar North / Toronto Player sentiment 74% positive of 10,072 Critics No aggregate Price Not listed Steam Deck unknown Install size Not stated Accessibility 0 declared features Raw 74% shrinks to 74.4 on 10,072 reviews, giving 6.4. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
Only the 5 Grand Theft Auto games with Steam review data can be scored and ranked. The complete series, scored or not, is charted in order below.
Best and worst entry
The best-received Grand Theft Auto game we can score is Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition at 8.0. The lowest is Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City at 6.4, a 1.6-point spread across the series. The GamingPickz Score is a composite of player sentiment, critics and popularity, computed the same way for every game.
How the series scored over time
GamingPickz Score against release year, 2010 to 2025. It has held roughly steady across the years.
Cheapest way in, and best value
- Cheapest right now: Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced at $19.79. Prices are read live from Steam and move.
- Best value: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition, the most GamingPickz Score per dollar in the series at its current price.
On a Steam Deck
Valve's own Deck compatibility rating for the Grand Theft Auto entries on Steam:
- Playable: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition, Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
- Unsupported: Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced
Platforms across the series
Where the 10 Grand Theft Auto games have landed, counting every entry we hold:
| Platform family | Entries |
|---|---|
| PC | 9 of 10 |
| PlayStation | 4 of 10 |
| Xbox | 4 of 10 |
| Mobile | 3 of 10 |
The Grand Theft Auto series, game by game
Every Grand Theft Auto game we hold, in release order. Each description is the game's own, from Steam where it has a listing and Wikipedia for the older entries, never ours.
- 2001
Grand Theft Auto III
Metacritic 97Grand Theft Auto III is a 2001 action-adventure game developed by DMA Design and published by Rockstar Games. It is the first 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto series. Set in Liberty City, loosely based on New York City, the game follows Claude, a silent protagonist who becomes entangled in a world of crime, drugs, gang… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Small-time criminal Claude is betrayed and shot by his girlfriend Catalina (voiced by Cynthia Farrell) during a bank heist in Liberty City . Claude survives, but is arrested and convicted; en route to prison, his transport is attacked by members of the Colombian Cartel , who abduct another prisoner. Claude escapes with a fellow convict, explosives expert 8-Ball ( Guru ), who introduces him to the Leone Mafia family. (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical response PlayStation 2 version reception Grand Theft Auto III was released to critical acclaim. Metacritic calculated an average score of 97 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 56 reviews. It is tied with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 as the highest-rated PlayStation 2 game on the site and tied with a number of others as the sixth-highest-rated game overall. (Wikipedia)
- 2002
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Metacritic 95Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a 2002 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the fourth main game in the Grand Theft Auto series, following 2001's Grand Theft Auto III, and the sixth entry overall. Set in 1986 within the fictional Vice City, the single-player story… (Wikipedia)
Plot
In 1986, gangster Tommy Vercetti (voiced by Ray Liotta ) is released from prison after serving a fifteen-year sentence for murder. His boss, Sonny Forelli ( Tom Sizemore ), seeking to establish drug operations in the south, sends Tommy to Vice City, Florida , to oversee an important drug deal alongside crooked lawyer Ken Rosenberg ( William Fichtner ). However, the deal is ambushed, with Tommy and Ken barely escaping. (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical response PlayStation 2 version reception Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was released to critical acclaim. Metacritic calculated an average score of 95 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 62 reviews. It is Metacritic's highest-rated PlayStation 2 game of 2002, and the fifth-highest rated PlayStation 2 game overall, tied with a number of others. (Wikipedia)
- 2004
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Metacritic 95Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the fifth main game in the Grand Theft Auto series and the seventh overall entry, following 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Set within the fictional U.S. state of San Andreas in 1992, the… (Wikipedia)
Plot
In 1992, after five years in Liberty City , gangster Carl "CJ" Johnson ( Young Maylay ) returns to Los Santos following his mother's death in a drive-by shooting. He is intercepted by corrupt Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH) officers led by Frank Tenpenny ( Samuel L. Jackson ), who threaten to implicate CJ in the killing of a fellow police officer unless he co-operates with them. (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical response PlayStation 2 version Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic . It is the site's fifth-highest-rated PlayStation 2 game. PSM2 s Daniel Dawkins declared it "the single most complete, unique, universe in console history" after The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) and "the best entertainment console gaming can offer". (Wikipedia)
- 2010
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City includes both The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony together and does not require a copy of the original Grand Theft Auto IV to play. (Steam)
Plot
Most Grand Theft Auto games are set in fictional parodies of well-known United States cities, in a number of different time periods. The games are split into three different universes (2D, 3D, and HD), each with their own reinterpretations of previously established settings. The universes share the names of cities, several brands, and background characters who never make physical appearances in the games (with a few exceptions), but are otherwise… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Ever since the release of Grand Theft Auto III in 2001, the Grand Theft Auto series has been a major success, both critically and financially. It has shipped over 470 million units, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. In 2006, Grand Theft Auto was voted one of Britain's top 10 designs in the Great British Design Quest organised by the BBC and the Design Museum . (Wikipedia)
- 2020
Niko Bellic, Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez all have one thing in common - they live in the worst city in America. Liberty City worships money and status, and is heaven for those who have them and a living nightmare for those who don't. (Steam)
Plot
Setting Grand Theft Auto IV takes place within an alternate version of Liberty City seen in Grand Theft Auto III . The design of the city focuses on a recreation of four of the boroughs of New York City : Broker (based on Brooklyn ), Dukes ( Queens ), Bohan ( The Bronx ), and Algonquin ( Manhattan ). The setting also includes the neighbouring state of Alderney (based on New Jersey ). (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical response Console versions reception Grand Theft Auto IV received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic . It is the second-highest-rated game on the site, and the highest-rated PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game. Reviewers praised the narrative, open world design and combat system. (Wikipedia)
- 2023
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: It’s the early ’90s. After a couple of cops frame him for homicide, Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets. (Steam)
- 2025
Experience entertainment blockbusters Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online — now upgraded for a new generation with stunning visuals, faster loading, 3D audio, and more, plus exclusive content for GTA Online players. (Steam)
Plot
In 2004, criminals Michael Townley ( Ned Luke ), Trevor Philips ( Steven Ogg ), and Brad Snider (Ryan Woodle) partake in a failed robbery in Ludendorff, North Yankton, resulting in Michael being presumed dead. Nine years later, Michael lives with his family in the city of Los Santos under the alias Michael De Santa, having made a secret agreement with Federal Investigation Bureau (FIB) agent Dave Norton (Julian Gamble) to stay hidden. Across town,… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Initial release Reception Grand Theft Auto V received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic , based on 50 reviews for the PlayStation 3 version and 58 reviews for the Xbox 360 version. The game is Metacritic's fifth-highest rated, tied with several others. Reviewers liked the multiple lead character formula, heist mission design and presentation, but some did not agree on the quality of the story and characters. (Wikipedia)
- 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI
not scoredGrand Theft Auto VI is an upcoming action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. It is due to be the eighth main Grand Theft Auto game, following Grand Theft Auto V (2013), and the sixteenth entry overall. Set within the fictional US state of Leonida, based on Florida, the story follows the romantic… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Grand Theft Auto VI is primarily set in Vice City , a fictionalised version of Miami . Grand Theft Auto VI is set within the fictional US state of Leonida, based on Florida . The map includes Vice City , Grassrivers, and the Leonida Keys (inspired by Miami , the Everglades , and the Florida Keys , respectively), as well as Ambrosia, Mount Kalaga National Park, and Port Gellhorn; the map is also reported to be three times larger than the playable area of… (Wikipedia)
- —
PLEASE NOTE: Microsoft no longer supports creating Games for Windows-LIVE accounts within Grand Theft Auto IV. You can create an account through and then log into your account in game. This standalone retail title spans three distinct stories, interwoven to create one of the most unique and engaging single-player experiences of this... (Steam)
Plot
Setting Grand Theft Auto IV takes place within an alternate version of Liberty City seen in Grand Theft Auto III . The design of the city focuses on a recreation of four of the boroughs of New York City : Broker (based on Brooklyn ), Dukes ( Queens ), Bohan ( The Bronx ), and Algonquin ( Manhattan ). The setting also includes the neighbouring state of Alderney (based on New Jersey ). (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical response Console versions reception Grand Theft Auto IV received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic . It is the second-highest-rated game on the site, and the highest-rated PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game. Reviewers praised the narrative, open world design and combat system. (Wikipedia)
- —
Grand Theft Auto V Legacy
Metacritic 97No sourced description on file.
Plot
In 2004, criminals Michael Townley ( Ned Luke ), Trevor Philips ( Steven Ogg ), and Brad Snider (Ryan Woodle) partake in a failed robbery in Ludendorff, North Yankton, resulting in Michael being presumed dead. Nine years later, Michael lives with his family in the city of Los Santos under the alias Michael De Santa, having made a secret agreement with Federal Investigation Bureau (FIB) agent Dave Norton (Julian Gamble) to stay hidden. Across town,… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Initial release Reception Grand Theft Auto V received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic , based on 50 reviews for the PlayStation 3 version and 58 reviews for the Xbox 360 version. The game is Metacritic's fifth-highest rated, tied with several others. Reviewers liked the multiple lead character formula, heist mission design and presentation, but some did not agree on the quality of the story and characters. (Wikipedia)
Grand Theft Auto, head to head
Two entries side by side on score, price, specs and reception:
Grand Theft Auto vs other series
How Grand Theft Auto stacks up against other series in the same genre, as a whole:
Also: Grand Theft Auto vs Car Mechanic Simulator, Grand Theft Auto vs Mafia, Grand Theft Auto vs Red Faction, Grand Theft Auto vs Burnout Paradise, Grand Theft Auto vs Euro Truck Simulator, Grand Theft Auto vs Forza Horizon, Grand Theft Auto vs Jurassic World Evolution, Grand Theft Auto vs Metal Gear, Grand Theft Auto vs Project CARS, Grand Theft Auto vs RAGE, Grand Theft Auto vs Subnautica, Grand Theft Auto vs Transport Fever, Grand Theft Auto vs Universe Sandbox
Common questions
How many Grand Theft Auto games are there?
We hold 10 Grand Theft Auto games in the catalogue, released between 2001 and 2026. 5 of them carry enough Steam data to rank; the rest are listed in release order below, including console-only entries with no Steam listing.
Which Grand Theft Auto game is best?
By the GamingPickz Score, Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition rates highest at 8.0. That is a composite of player sentiment, the critic aggregate and popularity, computed the same way for every game, not our opinion. The full ranking is above.
What order should I play the Grand Theft Auto games in?
Release order is listed below, from 2001 to 2026. For most series that is also story order, but we list dates rather than telling you a canon; the timeline is read from Wikidata.
More franchises
Browse every game franchise ranked the same way, or head to the full grid.