There are seven main Grand Theft Auto games. The next one, presumably titled Grand Theft Auto VI, is due out hopefully next year. Not all the games are from the same developer, and not all are available on the same consoles.
Rockstar became the developer and publisher of 2001’s Grand Theft Auto III. That game debuted on Xbox in 2003, and since then, essentially every game after is both Rockstar and available for Xbox consoles. Thanks to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy-The Definitive Edition, which contains III, Vice City, and San Andreas, Xbox One and Xbox X|S players can also experience the earlier games. To make finding the right Grand Theft Auto for your console easier, below are all the Grand Theft Auto games available on Xbox.
All the Grand Theft Auto Games available on Xbox Consoles
Grand Theft Auto III (2003)
Grand Theft Auto III was the first to come to Xbox in 2003. It is a third-person action adventure. You play as a criminal named Claude and go on various missions as you make your way up through the mob. You can always take a break from missions and roam the open world. The game allows for all sorts of criminal activity, from shooting an NPC to stealing and wrecking a car. While this 3D game has many of the desired weapons, vehicles, and options for a Grand Theft Auto game, it does not have the popular multiplayer. This was the first Grand Theft Auto game developed and published by Rockstar Games.
Original Available
- Xbox
Available in The Definitive Edition
- Xbox One
- Xbox X|S
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2003)
Vice City is the best-selling game of 2002, which is when it debuted before dropping on Xbox in 2003. This title is the first of the series developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It keeps the format of the Grand Theft Auto games but steps up the overall product with an even more open design, better music, and better gameplay. This time, you play as Tommy, a gangster looking for revenge in essentially ’80s Miami.
The game feels a lot like the ever-popular movie Scarface due to its setting and story, which could be part of the reason for its success. Instead of the main character being silent, this time he’s voiced by Ray Liotta, giving the character more depth and personality. Another notable change from the previous games is the size of the map. The game occurs on two large explorable islands and a map much bigger than earlier installments. It keeps classic staples like drive-by shootings and the “wanted” meter while adding in motorcycles and purchasing businesses, their included benefits, and missions as you grow your empire.
Original Available
- Xbox
Available in The Definitive Edition
- Xbox One
- Xbox X|S
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2005)
San Andreas is a massive game from Rockstar North with three entire cities to explore and along the way, cause chaos. The game is a sequel to Vice City and a prequel to Grand Theft Auto III. It dropped in 2004 for PlayStation and 2005 for Xbox and Xbox 360. It later became available for new consoles, Xbox One and Xbox X|S, as part of The Definitive Edition.
This story follows CJ as he returns home to his rough neighborhood in San Andreas, which is essentially California in the ’90s. You must try to fix your family and right the wrongs done to you by completing missions and dominating the streets.
There is still much of the same from the previous games, just with modern upgrades. You can steal, kill, drive, and build up your “wanted” level for increased police response. This game adds more to the roleplaying side of Grand Theft Auto’s open world. Now, you have more choices that affect how others react to you as you travel San Andreas. Swimming, climbing up walls, and stealth elements are also new to this second-most successful entry in the franchise. Other steps forward include the options for car modifications, burglary, gang wars, and mini-games like poker.
The multiplayer on this game consists of two players, CJ, and a pedestrian, competing in a Rampage. Each player tries to kill as many people as possible before the timer runs out. The multiplayer requires players to stay near each other while performing the Rampage, though they can roam together.
Original available
- Xbox
- Xbox 360
As part of The Definitive Edition
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
Grand Theft Auto IV returns to Liberty City and follows European veteran Niko Bellic as he tries to make his place in American society. Once again developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, the game is a step in the more realistic direction for the franchise. It also values the open-world roaming and non-linear format more than previous games. The game dropped for Xbox 360 at the same time as PlayStation 3 in 2008.
IV is the first game in the HD universe of the franchise, named so for its games’ high-end graphics. The game adds a large multiplayer mode with 32 online players simultaneously. Players will compete and work together in playable areas from the single-player story. The game area is huge, with 3 main islands again and a second state you can explore. It is an overall award-winning success, with players citing the complex story, graphics, and Niko as reasons they love it.
Original Available
- Xbox 360
Added to modern consoles
- Xbox One
- Xbox X|S
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Grand Theft Auto V is the last game in the series to be released. It dropped on Xbox 360 in 2013 and is also available on Xbox One and Xbox X|S. The game’s developer is still Rockstar North, with Rockstar Games publishing. This entry stands out from the others with three protagonists instead of one, and you can choose to switch between the first and third person.
The playable characters in V include gangster Fraklin Clinton, gunrunner, dealer Trevor Philips, and retired bank robber Michael De Santa. The story revolves around heists while dealing with corrupt government agents and rival criminals. The game occurs in Los Santos, somewhat modled after Los Angeles.
Grand Theft Auto V’s multiplayer is Grand Theft Auto Online, released just a few months later. Every Grand Theft Auto V copy comes with free Grand Theft Auto Online. In the online mode, you will make a new online-only character to participate. The online mode consists of maps of up to 30 players simultaneously cooperating or competing in missions and objectives. You can also adjust some of the parameters of the match to suit the desired game type and difficulty.
The game maintains what players love about the franchise and keeps the open world freedom to commit crimes as the focus. New to the game are AI accomplices that assist in heists and become gang regulars. The three protagonists also have specific skill sets that you will need during different parts of the single-player game. The game has a Special Edition and a Collector’s Edition due to its popularity and many extras added after the original release.
Original Available
- Xbox 360
Added to modern consoles
- Xbox One
- Xbox X|S
The Future
The next Grand Theft Auto game is likely due in 2024 at the earliest. It’s been under development for many years, but not much else is officially known about the game. There hasn’t been news since the initial announcement in early 2022, but there is a leak. The information surrounding the leak seems to merely confirm that Rockstar is indeed working on another Grand Theft Auto game, but little else. This game will likely debut on Xbox as previous titles have. It will likely be the first in a long time, though, not to include Xbox 360, but only Xbox One and Xbox X|S.