Grand Theft Auto stands as one of the most popular video game franchises globally, yet playing its full history presents a significant challenge. Rockstar Games has demonstrated an inconsistent approach to making its older titles accessible, particularly the early 2D games and certain spin-offs.
The GTA series is broadly categorized into three eras: the "2D universe," the "3D universe," and the "HD universe." Generally, games from the 3D and HD universes are more readily available, though not without caveats, while the 2D universe titles are largely inaccessible without older hardware or unofficial methods.
For subscribers, Grand Theft Auto Plus offers a curated selection of classic Rockstar titles, including several GTA games, for $7.99 per month. This subscription provides access to:
- 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
Access through GTA Plus is platform-specific, limited to either console or PC, with mobile versions included where applicable.
The 2D Universe
The earliest entries in the series are the most difficult to obtain legally. The original Grand Theft Auto, released in 1997, is not currently available through official digital storefronts. Previously offered as a free download by Rockstar, it was removed in 2013. Its status as potential abandonware means players may resort to unofficial means, though running it on modern PCs requires modifications.
Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, an expansion for the original game, and its standalone counterpart, Grand Theft Auto: London — Special Edition, are also officially unavailable. Similar to the original GTA, playing these requires sourcing modified PC code or using original PlayStation or PC discs.
Grand Theft Auto: London 1961, a freeware PC expansion released in 1999, faces the same availability issues. Modern PCs will likely require modified code to run.
Grand Theft Auto 2, released in 1999, is considered by some to be a less compelling entry. It was available on Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PlayStation, and Windows PC. Finding a legal way to play it today usually involves using older consoles or modified PC versions.
Grand Theft Auto Advance, a 2004 Game Boy Advance title that acts as a prequel to GTA 3, is no longer officially available. Playing this game necessitates owning the original cartridge and compatible hardware.
The 3D and HD Universes
Games from the 3D and HD eras are generally easier to access, though the quality of modern versions varies.
Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001), a landmark title that transitioned the series to 3D, is available as part of the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition remaster. This collection is available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. However, this remaster, developed by Grove Street Games, was met with criticism for technical issues and questionable visual updates, although patches have since addressed some concerns.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) are also included in The Definitive Edition and share the same availability across modern platforms. The 10th-anniversary mobile ports for both GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas are still available on iOS and Android and may offer an experience closer to the originals for some players.
Notably, the Xbox 360 version of the 10th-anniversary San Andreas is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X if previously owned, though it is not currently for sale.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, a prequel to GTA 3, was originally released for the PlayStation Portable and later received a PS2 port. The most accessible modern version is the mobile port, available on Android and iOS.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, a companion to Vice City, was released for PSP and PS2. Rockstar Games has not released a mobile port for this title, making a PSP or PS2 the primary options for playing it legally.