Nearly 28 years have passed, and the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise has consistently maintained its core identity, which is reflected even in its logos. While the highly anticipated next installment from Rockstar Games is still several months away, the trailer released in 2023 has also revealed the official designs. Therefore, dive into a visual journey through time with us, and witness the evolution of the GTA logo: from pixelated GTA 1 origins to sleek, neon-soaked GTA 6 logo.
The Grand Theft Auto logo has undergone a steady metamorphosis for almost three decades. The logo for GTA 6 combines nostalgia from the Vice City era with some modern upgrades. Reddit user NateSnape shared a full overview of all the Grand Theft Auto games logos in an image that includes the latest logo from the GTA 6 trailer.
However, the style of the logo in this iconic Rockstar Games franchise was not always like this. In this list, we have discussed all the GTA logos in their release order below:
1. Grand Theft Auto
- Release date: November 28, 1997
- Platform(s): PC, PS1, Game Boy Color
The first logo from the iconic Grand Theft Auto series is rather simple, focusing on the franchise’s premise. A fiery yellow and orange color scheme denotes the game’s rage and speed.
The stars represent the crime counter, which is now a must-have part of the GTA games. This was the beginning, the precedent that began the cycle of Grand Theft Auto and its impact on the gaming industry.
2. GTA: London 1969 and 1961
- Release date(s): April 30, 1999; June 1, 1999
- Platform(s): PS1, PC
The GTA London games are famous for depicting the city’s 1969 and 1961 eras. Rockstar Games used the British red and blue flag colors in the logo’s circle to complement that.
I assure you that the logo’s circle is not about running around the game in a loop. While some didn’t like the logo because it deviated from the classic GTA logo above, it still made a bash nonetheless.
3. Grand Theft Auto 2
- Release date: October 22, 1999
- Platform(s): PC, PS1, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast
By the time Grand Theft Auto reached its second year, it had already tried three different logos. The GTA 2 logo is nothing fancy. While the poster stands out due to the iconic yellow taxi, the logo feels flat by GTA’s standards.
4. Grand Theft Auto 3
- Release date: October 23, 2001
- Platform(s): PS2, PC, Xbox, iOS, Android
After Rockstar Games entered the 2000s, they knew that the GTA franchise was growing and that a standout logo was needed. With GTA 3, that happened. This was the first time we saw the iconic Grand Theft Auto font on the game’s poster.
We also saw the publishers using ‘III’ instead of 3 for the first time, which is now consistent with all the GTA game logos. Combined with the square grid, this GTA logo was surely eye-catching.
5. GTA: Vice City
- Release date: October 29, 2002
- Platform(s): PC, PS2, Xbox, iOS, Android
Before GTA 3 got its sequel, the developers showered us with two brilliant games: Vice City and San Andreas. The logo of Vice City emulated the nightlife of Miami on a large scale, which inspired Rockstar Games to revive the neon-pink glow in the GTA 6 logo.
6. GTA: San Andreas
- Release date: October 26, 2004
- Platform(s): PC, PS2, Xbox, PS3, Xbox 360, iOS, Android
San Andreas, on the other hand, was all about LA. That is what the logo showcases. The usual Grand Theft Auto text, followed by a tattoo-style ‘Diploma Regular’ font for the city’s name, resonates with the rowdy and gritty nature of the game’s story. Even the main menu and gameplay throughout revolve around the font.
7. Grand Theft Auto Advance
- Release date: October 26, 2004
- Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
The GTA Advance’s logo is unique. Rockstar Games originally revealed the Grand Theft Auto text. However, being a Game Boy Advance exclusive, the box art received a cursive ‘advance’ written on it in green. We don’t know about you, but as far as GTA logos go, this one isn’t that impressive. So when it comes to it, not a big impact on GTA’s legacy.
8. GTA: Liberty City Stories
- Release date: October 24, 2005
- Platform(s): PSP, PS2, Android, iOS, Fire OS
Liberty City Stories, despite being a side-quel to GTA 3 did not miss out when it came to good stories. The red text on “Liberty City Stories” showcases the crime and blood you witness throughout the entire storyline. Furthermore, the painted pastel art style was especially attractive.
9. GTA: Vice City Stories
- Release date: October 31, 2006
- Platform(s): PSP, PS2, PS3
The Vice City Stories logo was simply a modified GTA Vice City logo. Although the style remains the same with the pink cursive font, the game completely gives you a different POV of Vice City. This was also the end of Rockstar’s 3D-style games as we entered the HD era.
10. Grand Theft Auto 4
- Release date: April 28, 2008
- Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, PC
With the beginning of the HD era, GTA 4’s logo already received a big upgrade. The iconic Grand Theft Auto text now had gray shades inside its white body. As usual, the IV was used instead of a normal four. However, the number at the end was black, which tells you that a darker story was ahead.
11. GTA 4: The Lost and Damned
- Release date: February 17, 2009
- Platform(s): Xbox 360, PC, PS3
Rockstar Games continued the dark theme with GTA 4’s first DLC. While both DLCs together have a unique logo that shows a silhouette of Liberty City, the individual ones stand out. Instead of going for a normal font, they used blood splatters in crimson red. However, this was the first time the developers did not remove the number from the base game’s text.
12. GTA: Chinatown Wars
- Release date: March 17, 2009
- Platform(s): PSP, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android
Although Chinatown Wars is a GTA 4 DLC, it had to make its own mark. This is due to the gameplay style, which did not match the HD-style gameplay of the base game. To do that, Rockstar simply used the traditional Asian fonts that fit the game’s tone and specifically the protagonist, Huang Lee.
13. GTA 4: The Ballad of Gay Tony
- Release date: October 29, 2009
- Platform(s): Xbox 360, PC, PS3
The second DLC for GTA IV went 360 degrees opposite. Instead of staying in the dark theme, The Ballad of Gay Tony shows more colors. The neon theme returns along with a colorful border instead of the classic black.
14. Grand Theft Auto 5
- Release date: September 17, 2013
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Well, if you have not already seen the GTA 5 logo, you must be new to gaming. For the last decade, we have been seeing this one logo that is beyond what the publishers tried to do earlier with the logo. Instead of going for just the V, they added Five inside it.
The style of the V resembles a dollar bill (money), which is the whole premise of GTA 5. Furthermore, this GTA logo is by far one of the cleanest and swankiest we have come across.
15. Grand Theft Auto Online
- Release date: October 1, 2013
- Platform(s): PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
In 2013, Rockstar Games launched GTA Online, initially utilizing the standard Grand Theft Auto font. Recognizing the significant potential of the game’s online community, which fostered phenomena like GTA 5 RP and modding, Rockstar witnessed unprecedented growth. Consequently, they subtly improved the GTA Online logo, adding visual depth while retaining the iconic red “Online” text.
16. GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition
- Release date: November 11, 2021
- Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
When Rockstar Games announced the first trilogy for the game, not many fans liked the announcement. Although the reason behind it was the lack of news on GTA 6, one thing fans loved about the announcement was the logo. The classic text with a gold border indeed was tempting for many to cash in on, unless they had already played GTA games in order.
16. Grand Theft Auto 6
- Release date: Fall 2025
- Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X|S
And finally, the prodigal son. The GTA 6 logo was first presented to us after the first trailer ended. While the logo took a little time to grow on many fans, it did not miss out on conveying the game’s premise. If we go by just the trailer, GTA 6 is all about the iconic vibes of Vice City and beyond. Rockstar Games uses a large neon-style VI behind the classic Grand Theft Auto text to present it.
Moreover, there are coconut trees within the area, which give a more ideal vibe to the beach life of the game that we see throughout the trailer. The logo touches explicitly on the nostalgia of Miami as the Vice City map returns in GTA 6.
And these are all the GTA logos, along with their evolution, laid out for you. With that, is the GTA 6 logo your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
