The Ultimate Ranking of the Top 10 Blockbuster GTA Games You Can't Miss!

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto series, with a remarkable total of over 405 million sales, stands as one of the most successful video game franchises in history. What makes this achievement even more notable is that the series has only produced seven mainline titles, two of which were released prior to the developers discovering the winning formula.

The highest-selling GTA games have reached tens of millions of copies sold, with the most successful installment now approaching the monumental 200 million milestone. Fans eagerly await the arrival of GTA 6, but in the meantime, they might want to revisit some of the exceptional games that paved the way for its success.

8 Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City (3 Million Sales)

Originally released exclusively for Xbox 360 in late 2009, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City had a slow start, selling fewer than 160,000 copies in its first few months. However, sales eventually picked up after the game was released for PC and PS3 in April of the following year.

As the name implies, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City is a compilation that includes the two downloadable content expansions for Grand Theft Auto 4. Digital buyers still require the original game, while physical owners receive everything on the disc.

7 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (6 Million Sales)

Rockstar Games was one of the few developers that provided exceptional support for the PSP. They developed a total of eight games for the Sony handheld, including three installments of the popular GTA series. Among these, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, released in 2006, stands out. It was also later made available on the PS2.

Taking place years before the events of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, this game showcases the same location as its predecessor with a few distinct changes. Many familiar characters make a return, including the central protagonist, Vic Vance, who played a significant role in the original game.

6 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (11 Million Sales)

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories initially launched for the PSP in October 2005 and later made its way to the PS2 in June of the following year. Taking place three years prior to the events of Grand Theft Auto 3, the game revisits the familiar streets of Liberty City. What sets this apart is that it's not merely a recycled version, but rather features a distinct storyline and notable alterations to the map. This means that certain locations from Grand Theft Auto 3 are yet to be developed during this time, and the game also introduces exclusive destroyed buildings and districts that play a significant role in the main story.

5 Grand Theft Auto 3 (14.5 Million Sales)

Grand Theft Auto 3, while not the first, is widely regarded as a foundational game in the open-world genre. Its groundbreaking mechanics have served as inspiration for numerous other video games, leading to the creation of many Grand Theft Auto imitations.

The game owes much of its success to the unparalleled freedom it offers players, and its crime-centered narrative adds further appeal. Even after more than twenty years since its release, Grand Theft Auto 3 continues to be one of the top-selling titles in the GTA franchise and a must-play for enthusiasts of open-world sandbox games.

4 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (17.5 Million Sales)

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City stands out as one of the most distinctive GTA titles ever created, thanks to its iconic eighties backdrop. This era not only influences the game's storyline, but also shapes its overall aesthetic. From the way characters converse and dress to the music that accompanies their city drives, every aspect of the game captures the spirit of the eighties.

Moreover, Vice City marked the first time the series dared to cast celebrities in key roles, such as the acclaimed Ray Liotta, who lent his voice to the playable character Tommy Vercetti. As one of the most unique settings in the series' extensive history, it is no surprise that many fans eagerly anticipate a return to Vice City in a future GTA installment.

3 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (21.5 Million Sales)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the final installment of the PS2 era's mainline GTA games, emerged as the most commercially prosperous entry among the original 3D GTA trilogy. This title triumphantly garnered over 20 million copies sold across various platforms, reigning as the top-selling game for Sony's sixth-generation console.

Considering the triumphs of its predecessors, Rockstar's decision to embrace a similar approach was expected. However, there are several commendable enhancements in the game, particularly in the expansiveness of its map, surpassing the size of its forerunners.

2 Grand Theft Auto 4 (28 Million Sales)

While it may not be the top-selling GTA game, Grand Theft Auto 4 is often considered the best within the series. Its driving mechanics set a new standard for the franchise, and its storytelling and writing surpass any other installment.

Niko Bellic is widely regarded as an ideal video game protagonist, managing to maintain relatability despite his occasionally appalling actions. His gritty and believable story is a significant factor in why 28 million players enthusiastically invested their money to immerse themselves in it.

1 Grand Theft Auto 5 (185 Million Sales)

Grand Theft Auto 5, with over 185 million sales, ranks second only to Minecraft as one of the best-selling video games ever. Since its release in 2013, the game has been available on three different console generations, contributing to its immense popularity. The game offers players the chance to play as three main characters, freely switching between them during the main storyline. Its impressive writing and gameplay, along with its feature-packed online mode, have resulted in billions of dollars in revenue for Rockstar over the past decade.