With an illustrious history spanning almost three decades, Rockstar Games is among the greatest video game publishers of all time. The studio has an incredible catalog of genre-defining titles that have done wonders in terms of pushing the medium forward. It has also created some of the most popular IPs, including the highest-grossing media title of all time with GTA 5. As the studio gears up for yet another mammoth release in GTA 6, we thought this would be the perfect time to look back upon its history and pick out the best Rockstar Games to indulge in while we wait for the studio’s next title.
10. GTA 4: The Ballad of Gay Tony
- Release Date: October 29, 2009
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
The Ballad of Gay Tony is technically a DLC add-on for GTA 4, but the game has enough of its own flourishes and motifs to earn a spot on the list. It was a stark departure from the more mature base game, as every subsequent mission embraced unrestricted absurdity. The 8-hour runtime is utilized to the fullest as players go from violent caddy chases to reaching the summit of the Empire State Building.
The core narrative prompting all this carnage is riddled with tropes but also consistently hilarious, making for a thrill ride from start to finish. Plus, it also features ‘Arab money’ Yusuf Amir himself, and every bit of screentime this facetious, filthy rich character receives is pure gold, much like his treasured buzzard.
9. GTA 3
- Release Date: October 23, 2001
- Platforms: PS2, PC, Android, iOS
GTA 3 is right up there with the likes of Pac-Man, Doom, and Metal Gear Solid as one of the most influential games of all time. Not only did it certify Grand Theft Auto’s status as a ground-breaking franchise, but it also triggered a wave of other games with 3D open worlds. The title offered unprecedented freedom, allowing players to freely explore a grimy rendition of New York City and cause all sorts of havoc within the sandbox.
It also delivered an innovative mission structure, which is still the template for GTA games today. That said, GTA 3 was pretty janky even for the time, and the shooting mechanics were downright horrid. In hindsight, the game’s story wasn’t all that great either. But for all the critiques I can levy at it, GTA 3 played a massive role in changing the trajectory of the industry.
8. Bully
- Release Date: October 17, 2006
- Platforms: PS2, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC
Bully saw Rockstar apply their open-world formula to an academic setting, trading daring heists for high school hijinks, and lavish vehicles for a trusty skateboard. Given the nature of its gameplay and the juvenile setting, Bully was embroiled in controversy around the time of release. Fortunately, all the noise didn’t stop Bully from ascending to cult-classic status, and for good reason.
The central location of Bullworth Academy is incredibly well-realized, with all the facilities associated with a typical boarding school. The students who populate this institution are classified into cliques, each more cliche than the other, but that works in the game’s favor. The music to go along with all this is so perfectly playful, and it goes a long way in nailing the prankish vibe. There’s plenty to see and do outside of the academy’s walls as well, including a frustratingly difficult arcade game named ‘ConSumo’ that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
No other game has you delivering digital wedgies and exploding crap bags, intermixed with Chemistry lessons and Dodgeball practice. Bully is a schoolyard simulator executed to a sublime degree, and we will likely never see anything like it again.
7. Max Payne 3
- Release Date: May 15, 2012
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Max Payne 3 (produced after Rockstar bought the IP from Remedy) was a massive departure from the first two games developed by Remedy, which resulted in it catching plenty of flak at the time. Rockstar ditched the original’s neo-noir approach almost entirely, getting rid of the comic-panel cutscenes, overindulgent dialogue, and even Sam Lake’s facial model for the titular character. It also took Max out of the crime-infested streets of New York City and plunged him headfirst into exotic Sao Paulo.
Back in 2012, it felt like the game was having an identity crisis. But now, more than a decade removed from its release, Max Payne 3 is properly recognized as a flashy, action-heavy, and mature third-person shooter that pulls off almost everything it attempts.
The series’ signature Bullet Time combat system feels more gravity-defying than ever, coupled with story-related slow-motion sequences that accentuate the game’s cinematic approach. The weapons have satisfying feedback, and pulling off outrageous combat maneuvers is as easy as pressing the dodge button. The mission variety is also the best in the series, kicking off with a chaotic shootout at an opulent party before transitioning to gunfights in a massive football stadium. There’s also a particularly memorable skirmish inside a nightclub that could put John Wick to shame.
Despite the character’s many complexities, Max Payne 3 is able to provide a satisfying conclusion for gaming’s favorite trauma-riddled cop — a massive achievement in itself.
6. GTA: Vice City
- Release Date: October 29, 2002
- Platforms: PS2, PC, Android, iOS
It’s impossible to describe exactly how cool Vice City was and still is. Few games are so ripe with style and finesse that it’s practically dripping through the screen. Yet, Vice City delivered exactly that despite being released just a year after the revolutionary GTA 3.
Its recreation of Miami, modeled after Miami Vice and Scarface, is pitch-perfect, featuring sun-soaked vistas, neon-lit motels, and dazzling discos. The streets are adorned by glamorous pedestrians at every turn, while luxurious sports cars zip by frequently. Just existing in this world, especially around Ocean Beach, felt like living in excess. Then there’s the soundtrack, packed with so many classics that recreating it today would rack up an obscene amount of money in licensing fees.
Experiencing Vice City and some of the other games on this list is pretty much a rite of passage for any gamer. While time hasn’t been kind to the story or the gameplay mechanics, there’s this ineffable quality baked into every square inch of its open world that cements Vice City’s timeless stature.
5. Red Dead Redemption
- Release Date: May 18, 2010
- Platforms: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
Pivoting to a 20th-century Western set in the American Frontier, after years of producing urban crime simulators, was a pretty bold move even by Rockstar standards. At the time, the studio was also riding the highs of GTA 4’s success, which elevated expectations even further.
Despite the abundance of doubts, Red Dead Redemption ended up confirming that Rockstar could do no wrong.
With Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar Games was able to tell a more emotionally-driven and grounded story that didn’t have to incorporate the satirical fixings of GTA. They found the ideal protagonist in troubled cowboy John Marston, who’s desperate to escape his criminal past but quickly finds out that he can’t outrun his sins.
Watching this character wrestle against the system and lock horns with the outlaws he once rode beside is incredibly compelling. The acting talent behind our protagonist, and the many characters he encounters along the way, is top tier, making for a tale that not only feels like a Western but frankly outdoes some of the giants of the genre.
For many players, Red Dead Redemption is the finest game Rockstar has ever created. And while I can’t attest to that, I can certainly say that the title had a profound impact on my perception of storytelling in video games. It ended up as the yardstick I measure other narratives by to this day, and the fact that only three other games have cleared it speaks volumes about what Rockstar was able to accomplish with this title.
4. GTA 4
- Release Date: 28 April 2008
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
GTA 4 represented a transformational period for the franchise. Before its release, the series insisted on zany humor, sharp satire, and over-the-top scenarios being the focal point, while the open world took the backseat due to its sandbox nature. But in 2008, Rockstar flipped the script by opting for mature themes and characters, along with a gloomy rendition of Liberty City that packed a ton of personality in itself.
The final result was a heartbreaking tale of an immigrant crossing the seas in hopes of living the American dream, only to revert to his criminal ways before realizing that the star-spangled banner might be a bit of a facade.
The story’s events wouldn’t be nearly as effective if the setting didn’t complement them so seamlessly. Every corner of GTA 4’s Liberty City is perforated by urban decay as thick smoke fills its atmosphere with poverty running rampant on its streets. There’s that palpable feeling of hopelessness that you’d associate with a cutthroat metropolis, where a downtrodden slum sits mere miles away from a towering skyscraper.
For the first time in a GTA game, players had to contend with moral scruples that could alter the conclusion of missions or even the game’s ending. This, coupled with the realistic driving mechanics, drove the franchise forward from a technical standpoint, while its atmosphere and themes cemented its status among the greatest open-world games of all time.
3. GTA 5
- Release Date: 17 September 2013
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
What more can be said about the aforementioned highest-grossing media title of all time? There’s a greater chance of most readers being familiar with every crevice of Los Santos than of my being able to contextualize the game’s impact on gaming and pop culture. The highest praise I can afford Rockstar’s evergreen cash cow is that its open world still feels incredibly modern to this day.
From driving and gunplay to NPC interactions and the satirical radio ads, GTA 5 represents a home run across all fronts. It’s slick, devilishly funny, incredibly addictive, and truly masterful. The story revolves around three protagonists who don’t face much in terms of moral consequences, but that alone encapsulates what the game is all about.
There’s a carefree, devil-may-care vibe oozing from every frame of GTA V. But it’s also capable of turning into a self-serious iteration of Michael Mann’s Heat, anchored by the cold concrete jungle in its backdrop, the audacious heists that rarely go off without a hitch, and the pulsating synth-heavy score that propels players forward.
Following up GTA 5 is a herculean task, but if there’s one studio equipped for the job, it’s Rockstar Games.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
- Release Date: 26 October 2019
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
As we inch closer and closer to the summit of this list, you might’ve noticed that I’m getting increasingly hyperbolic. Such is the quality of these games that I can’t help but wax lyrical about their greatness and cultural impact. With that brief moment of self-awareness out of the way, Red Dead Redemption 2 is arguably the greatest open-world game of all time.
It features a gorgeous recreation of the Wild West in its dying embers, as the once lawless frontier is seized upon by civilization. The pace at which this region’s sprawling valleys and snow-capped peaks are turned into quaint towns is juxtaposed against the serendipitous nature of the game’s open-world emphasis, which calls for players to slow down and breathe it in. There’s no better game to approach in this manner, either, as simply trotting along on your horse through the murky bayou or untamed grasslands is more gratifying than entire video games.
This feeling is accomplished in part by stellar audio design, which includes intricate details such as the whistling winds, rustling leaves, and the fluttering of birds. All of it comes together to create a mellifluous blend that’s like a breath of fresh air for your eardrums. There’s so much more to be praised about Red Dead Redemption 2, but since I don’t want this to turn into an impromptu review, I’ll briefly touch upon the story.
The game delivers Rockstar’s greatest narrative yet as it explores the gradual decline of the Dutch van der Linde gang, told through the eyes of Arthur Morgan. The many outlaws that populate this criminal outfit are all exceptionally well-realized, featuring distinct personalities and arcs that make it easy to create a personal connection with them.
This closely-knit group goes through hell and back together, but ultimately falls to subterfuge. It’s important to note that the game earns this conclusion by displaying the delirium of the gang’s leader. And even when this collapse is plain to see, the caliber of the storytelling is so high that it has players desperately clinging to the hopes of a resolution.
It follows this up with a riveting epilogue that is the very definition of ‘Redemption,’ and adds significant context to the events of the first game. For this and many other reasons, Red Dead Redemption 2 sits in the pantheon of video game stories and sandboxes.
1. GTA: San Andreas
- Release Date: 26 October 2004
- Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC, Android, iOS
I will never forget the first time I found myself in Las Venturas. Over the past 30 hours or so, I had become acquainted with fog-ridden San Fierro and the urban melting pot that is Los Santos. But after setting foot in the glitzy Venturas strip, which is populated with casinos and extravagant hotels, I felt like I was playing an entirely new game. This was an unprecedented level of scale at the time, as Rockstar had managed to successfully cram an entire state into a video game.
While the illusion behind this perceived scale is now well-known, the feeling of being a tiny component in this massive world still remains. San Andreas is so huge and overstuffed with things to do that I’m still amazed by it today. Besides the main story and side missions, the game lets you participate in car dancing competitions, gorge down burgers like you’re Big Smoke, try your luck at the Blackjack table, and hit the gym to put on some muscle. Oh, and did I mention there’s even a dating minigame with several damsels to impress?
All this doesn’t even scratch the surface of what is available to the player outside the central narrative. Speaking of which, the story is as bonkers as it gets, starting with interpersonal tensions between a group of gangbangers and ending with city-wide protests against the corrupt police. The narrative is essentially a ’90s hood film with entertaining detours to super-secret government facilities and a casino run by a blind man.
To top this off, the game offers robust car customization and even purchasable properties, ensuring that players are hooked long after the 60-hour story comes to an end. GTA: San Andreas is a tour de force when it comes to scale and execution. And the fact that even Rockstar hasn’t been able to produce a GTA game this fleshed-out since is proof of its singular nature.
That wraps up our list of the best Rockstar games to play while you wait for GTA 6. If you disagree with any of the rankings or if we failed to mention your favorite game, be sure to let us know in the comments.
