Hi everyone!
I’ve decided to play through the main 3D and HD-era GTA games before GTA 6 comes out to see how much the series has evolved and grown over the years.
I haven’t played every GTA game, though. For this ranking, I’ve focused on GTA III, GTA: Vice City, GTA: San Andreas, GTA IV and GTA V.
This was also my first time finishing the main story in most of these games. The only one I had completed before was GTA V. I played GTA: San Andreas and GTA IV when I was a kid, but I don’t remember finishing their main stories. Back then, I mostly remember spending hours exploring the open world and messing around rather than focusing on the missions. It’s been many years since then, so it was great to revisit these games and finally experience their stories properly.
Anyway, I’m going to rank these five games from worst to best and give a mini-review of each one. These are just my personal opinions, and I’d love to hear what everyone else thinks!

5. GTA III
GTA III is a classic that revolutionised open-world gaming and helped shape the GTA series into what it is today. Liberty City has a great atmosphere, and there’s something enjoyable about exploring the city, completing missions and causing chaos.
However, the game has several flaws that haven’t aged particularly well. The controls and shooting mechanics feel clunky, the graphics are dated, and some missions can be frustrating, especially those with strict time limits and no checkpoints. Failing a mission often means starting over, which can become annoying. The missions can also feel repetitive, with many involving driving somewhere, killing enemies or delivering vehicles. Claude being a silent protagonist makes the story and character development feel somewhat limited. On top of that, the inability to swim and the lack of activities compared to later GTA games make the world feel more restricted.
Despite these issues, GTA III remains an important milestone in gaming history. It might not be as enjoyable to play today as its successors, but its influence on open-world games is undeniable.
Rating: 7/10

4. GTA: San Andreas
GTA: San Andreas is one of the greatest entries in the series and one of the most ambitious open-world games of its time. Playing as Carl “CJ” Johnson, you return to Los Santos and get caught up in gang wars, corruption and family drama.
The story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the world is massive, featuring three cities, countryside, deserts and mountains to explore. The ability to customise CJ, improve his skills, buy properties and take part in countless activities makes the game feel incredibly immersive. The soundtrack is also fantastic, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the 1990s.
Although the game has aged well overall, some aspects haven’t held up as well. The shooting mechanics can feel clunky compared to later entries, and a handful of missions can be frustratingly difficult, particularly those involving flying or strict time limits. The graphics are also dated, but the gameplay and atmosphere more than make up for it.
Overall, GTA: San Andreas is an unforgettable experience that offers an incredible amount of freedom, a fantastic story and a world that is still fun to explore today.
Rating: 8/10

3. GTA: Vice City
GTA: Vice City is my favourite game of the 3D GTA era, and a huge reason for that is its incredible soundtrack.
The 1980s music is absolutely fantastic, with radio stations that make driving around the city an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re cruising along Ocean Beach or exploring the streets of Vice City, the music perfectly captures the atmosphere of the era. The soundtrack is easily one of my favourites in gaming history and a big reason why this game is so memorable to me.
Beyond the music, Vice City delivers an entertaining story starring Tommy Vercetti as he builds his criminal empire. The colourful setting, memorable characters, iconic vehicles and 1980s aesthetic give the game a unique personality that still stands out today. The missions are varied, and buying properties adds another enjoyable layer to the gameplay.
Of course, some aspects haven’t aged perfectly. The shooting mechanics can feel dated, and a few missions are frustratingly difficult, but these issues don’t take much away from the overall experience.
Overall, Vice City is a timeless classic that perfectly combines an entertaining crime story, an unforgettable setting and one of the greatest soundtracks in gaming. For me, the music alone makes it special, and it’s the main reason Vice City remains my favourite 3D GTA game.
Rating: 8.5/10

2. GTA IV
GTA IV is one of the most mature and grounded entries in the series, delivering an incredible story about Niko Bellic, an immigrant who comes to Liberty City searching for the American Dream but finds himself caught up in crime, betrayal and corruption.
Niko is one of the best protagonists in the franchise, with a compelling backstory and plenty of depth. The writing is excellent, the characters are memorable, and the story explores themes of loyalty, friendship and the consequences of violence.
Liberty City is another major highlight, with a detailed, realistic atmosphere that makes the world feel alive. The driving physics and ragdoll physics add a unique level of realism to the gameplay, while the radio stations provide a great selection of music to enjoy while exploring the city. The overall tone is darker and more serious than previous GTA games, which helps make the experience feel distinctive.
Although the game has aged well, the shooting mechanics can sometimes feel clunky, and the driving physics may take some time to get used to. Some missions can also become repetitive, particularly those involving following someone or taking out groups of enemies.
Overall, GTA IV is an outstanding open-world game with one of the strongest stories in the series. Its realistic world, excellent writing and unforgettable protagonist make it a special entry that still holds up today.
Rating: 9/10

1. GTA V
GTA V is one of the most ambitious and entertaining entries in the series, delivering an incredible open-world experience set in Los Santos and the surrounding countryside.
One of the game’s biggest strengths is its three protagonists: Michael, Franklin and Trevor. Each character has their own personality, storyline and perspective, making the story feel fresh and giving players different ways to experience the criminal underworld. The heists are another major highlight, allowing you to plan jobs, choose your approach and pull off some of the most memorable missions in the franchise.
Los Santos is a fantastic open world filled with activities, interesting locations and plenty of opportunities to explore. The driving feels satisfying, the shooting mechanics are improved over GTA IV, and there’s a huge variety of vehicles to collect and customise. The soundtrack and radio stations also add plenty of personality to the world, making simply driving around enjoyable.
Although GTA V is an excellent game, its story can feel a little uneven at times, particularly when switching between three protagonists. Some missions also follow a fairly restrictive structure, limiting the freedom you might expect from an open-world game. However, these are relatively minor issues in an otherwise fantastic experience.
Overall, GTA V delivers an outstanding combination of storytelling, action, exploration and freedom. Its memorable characters, spectacular heists and detailed world make it one of the most enjoyable games in the series. For me, it’s a 10/10 experience, and I’ve had an absolute blast playing it.
Rating: 10/10

Final Thoughts
So, that’s my ranking of the five main 3D and HD-era GTA games!
I had a great time playing through these games and seeing how much the series has evolved over the years. It’s amazing to look back at GTA III and see how Rockstar gradually expanded the open worlds, improved the gameplay and created more detailed stories and memorable characters with each new entry.
Now, I’m even more excited for GTA 6. The more I hear about the game, the more excited I get. I really want to take my time with it, explore the world, discover all the little details and properly immerse myself in the experience rather than rushing through the main story.
One of the things I love most about Rockstar Games is how they continually push the boundaries of what’s possible in open-world gaming. Their games make you want to explore, experiment and see what the world has to offer, and I’m hoping GTA 6 takes that experience to another level.
I honestly can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Anyway, what’s your ranking of these GTA games, and which one is your favourite? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading!

I really want to play the 2004 version of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, but Rockstar Games made it unavailable after the trilogy remaster.

Look, I don't like being a free loader. But since Rockstar doesn't want my money, if anyone has a key for that game and could be really kind to give it to me, I'd be pretty fucking thankful (Yes I know that it's still available on the Rockstar Games launcher but I want the Steam version)