The History of GTA — From 1997 to GTA VI
Grand Theft Auto (1997)
- Release date: November 28, 1997
- Platforms: MS-DOS, Windows; later PlayStation; Game Boy Color versions came after.
- Details:
The original GTA introduced the core formula: open cities, freedom to explore, missions from different gangs, stealing cars, and causing mayhem. It had a top-down 2D view, and the cities were fictional but inspired by real ones (Liberty City, San Andreas, Vice City). It also spawned mission packs like London 1969 and London 1961 in 1999. - Trailer: I didn’t find a widely recognized official HD trailer for the original 1997 GTA on YouTube (many early games didn’t get polished cinematic trailers). If you want, you can embed early gameplay videos or retrospective ones.
Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
- Release date: October 22, 1999 (PlayStation and Windows)
- Platforms: PlayStation, Windows, later Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, etc.
- Details:
GTA 2 improved on the formula with better graphics compared to the first, introduced the idea of gang factions with different loyalties, and had a more stylized, futuristic/retro-futuristic feel in “Anywhere City.” It still had that freedom of chaos, but also more structure in mission design. - Trailer: No well-known official cinematic trailer from the launch era. But there are retrospectives and gameplay footage compilations.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
- Release date: October 23, 2001
- Platforms: PlayStation 2 initially, later PC and others.
- Details:
GTA III was a game-changer. It shifted the series into full 3D, introduced a third-person camera, voice acting, a much bigger open world, and for many players this was the moment GTA became massive. Liberty City took on new depth. Missions had cutscenes, story, characters more fleshed out. This entry defined the modern 3D era of GTA. - Trailer:
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
- Release date: October 29, 2002
- Platforms: PlayStation 2 primarily, later PC, etc.
- Details:
Vice City is famous for its 1980’s theme — neon lights, synth music, Miami Vice vibes. The story of Tommy Vercetti, drug cartels, betrayal, building criminal empire. It expanded on the GTA III formula, introduced vehicles like motorbikes, more varied side activities, improved atmosphere. Many fans consider Vice City one of the best for style. - Trailer:
🏜 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
- Release date: October 26, 2004
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, later PC, Xbox, etc.
- Details:
San Andreas gave us CJ (Carl Johnson), a much larger map (three cities + rural areas), deeper role-play style stuff (gym, food, respect, gangs), and more variety. It’s often praised for its story, atmosphere, soundtrack, and how it captured culture of early 1990s West Coast USA. Considered by many a high point in the series. - Trailer:
Other Spin-offs / Handhelds
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
- Vice City Stories (2006)
- Advance (2004) — Game Boy Advance entry.
- Chinatown Wars (2009) — for DS, PSP, and later mobile.
These games often explore side stories, sometimes with familiar cities / characters, sometimes new ones. They filled in the gaps, gave portable GTA experiences, or explored what made GTA great on smaller devices.
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
- Release date: April 29, 2008
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC.
- Details:
GTA IV marked the “HD Universe” for many: more realistic physics, more emotional storytelling, a detailed city (Liberty City reimagined), and deeper character arcs (Niko Bellic’s immigrant story, moral conflicts). It was darker, more grounded. It also had expansion episodes (The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony) and was followed by Chinatown Wars. - Trailer:
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
- Release date: September 17, 2013
- Platforms: Initially PS3 / Xbox 360; later PS4, Xbox One, PC; then PS5 / Xbox Series, etc.
- Details:
GTA V pushed the boundaries: three protagonists, huge map (Los Santos + countryside), varied missions, amazing graphics for the time, and a very rich world. And GTA Online (embedded into the GTA V universe) has kept the game alive with constant updates. V is the peak of polish before GTA VI. - Trailer:
Grand Theft Auto VI (Upcoming)
- Release date: May 26, 2026
- Platforms announced so far: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S.
- Details:
GTA VI is shaping up to be the next leap. Rockstar has officially confirmed two protagonists (Lucia Caminos & Jason Duval), Vice City setting (expanded/unrealistic version), new map features, and a mix of cutscenes + gameplay in trailers. Many expect it to push even further in world-interactivity, realism, and multiplayer integration. It has been officially announced and trailers are out, so there’s less risk of rumor hype and more confidence in what’s coming. - Trailer 1 and 2:
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