Beyond GTA: Ranking Rockstar’s 10 Best Games of All Time

Rockstar Games has multiple great releases over the years. While the Grand Theft Auto series has been their most successful franchise, they have other gems with a couple of great individual releases. There are simply too many great releases Rockstar has given us since bursting onto the scene back in 1998. In today's article, I will rank the top 10 best Rockstar Games that are available right now.

List of Top 10 Rockstar Games of all times

Being a Rockstar Games fan naturally makes you a connoisseur of the open-world titles. Make sure to check our rankings for the Best Open-World Games and see if your favorite title makes the list.

10. Manhunt

Starting our list of the Best Rockstar Games, we have Manhunt, a unique release by Rockstar. Manhunt is a stealth-based action title with a dark tone. It involves you as an escaped inmate, hunting down your gang members and making snuff films for survival.

The game is unique in terms of its unspeakable brutality. However, due to its storyline and gameplay, Manhunt has received mixed reviews, thus making the 10th place in our list.

9. GTA 3

GTA 3 is one of the popular GTA releases from Rockstar. Being the first 3-D release of the series, the game introduces you to Claude, the protagonist, who, after experiencing betrayal from his colleagues, starts afresh on his criminal journey.

The game drew praise from players and critics worldwide back in the early 2000s; however, considering the later releases in the franchise, GTA 3 ranks 9th on our list. Individually, the game did become one of the highest-selling video games of that era, marking the beginning of the Grand Theft Auto era. GTA 3 is available on mobile as well as a premium title and is considered one of the Top 15 Best Premium Mobile Games.

8. Bully

Bully, just like Manhunt, gets overshadowed by Rockstar's other great releases. The game, when released, managed to make a name for itself; although it got overshadowed later by its sister titles, GTA San Andreas and GTA 4. Bully introduces you to Jimmy Hopkins, a student enrolled involuntarily in a boarding school.

The story evolves him rising through the ranks in schools while stopping bullying. The game did well in terms of statistics, selling over 1.5 million copies, and drew positive reviews from the critics, but didn't receive a much-awaited sequel. A remastered version for PlayStation 4 was released in 2016, and that's been the last title from the franchise.

7. GTA Vice City

GTA Vice City takes you back in time to 1986 in Vice City. It revolves around gangster Tommy Vercetti, who, after a failed drug racket, builds his empire back. It is one of the iconic GTA releases, with a strong and loyal fanbase. The game was a rampant success, securing over 18 million sales by the end of 2008 and becoming the fastest-selling video game of 2002.

The music, game setting, and story missions give GTA Vice City an experience unique to itself, and hence it ranks in our list of the best Rockstar Games of all time. GTA Vice City was once available on mobile via Netflix Games now available separately as a premium title. That being said, check our list of the Top 10 Best Netflix Games if you have an active Netflix subscription.

6. Max Payne 3

Max Payne is yet another masterful series by Rockstar Games. While some might argue that Max Payne 2 is a better game than Max Payne 3, according to me, Max Payne 3 triumphs slightly in terms of gameplay and game physics. Story-wise, however, Max Payne 2's story fits better with the Max Payne lore.

The game drew praise from critics for its unique storyline direction. Having a different story from its prequels, Max Payne 3 was more upbeat, fast-paced, and set in South America, giving a pleasant change to the usual Max Payne scenery.

5. GTA IV

GTA IV is probably the most underrated GTA title out there. Released in 2008, it was the first GTA title to have improved graphics and an immersive open world. The story is also one of the best to be ever released in the series, alongside its music, making it one of the Top 10 Best Video Game Stories.

Given its release in 2008, GTA 4's gameplay was already way ahead of its time, making the game an obvious success. Fans have been demanding a GTA IV remake or remastered edition for a long time; however, there hasn't been any official news on that matter.

4. GTA San Andreas

An era-defining game, GTA San Andreas is definitely one of the top 5 best Rockstar Games ever to be released. The game's setting, protagonist, gang-based storyline, and iconic map everything was perfectly on point. If the rankings were for the most popular game, then it would be number 1; in terms of overall game rankings, it would be number 4.
Statistically, it is one of the best-selling games ever, with over 28 million copies sold. My actual reason to rank it 4th is due to its iconic reputation and nostalgic gameplay (Remember the GTA San Andreas Big Foot myth?). For many gamers, it is the best GTA game ever to be released.

3. Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption, in my opinion, is Rockstar's best series. Even with only two releases, the franchise can always bring a new protagonist and make a whole new storyline out of it. The Red Dead universe is what separates it from other IPs.

There are very few games out there that depict the Wild West in the right light; Red Dead makes you almost live every second of it. Red Dead Redemption gives you an insight into the life of John Marston and how he hunts down his older gang members to secure favours from the feds. It offers a well-written storyline along with solid cowboy gameplay to secure its place in our top Rockstar games rankings and as one of the Top 10 Best Single Player PC Games Ever.

2. GTA V

GTA 5 is the highest-selling Rockstar Games Video Game ever. The Game's popularity is massive, receiving plenty of accolades. GTA V offers a massive open world for you to explore and follow the storyline, where you plan your heists with your accomplices.

Its features and mechanics bring more in-game realism. Similar to its predecessors, GTA 5 was also well ahead of its time. And as of today, it is the best GTA game out there, with GTA 6 releasing on November 19, 2026.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is, hands down, the best Rockstar Game out there right now. It offers a parallel universe where every NPC feels real, and the in-game universe is as real as it can get. Not to mention the best story narration you can find in video gaming history. From Storyline to game physics to gunfights and ultimately the overall experience, Red Dead Redemption 2 masters it all.
Statistically, Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't stand close to GTA 5, selling 35 million copies, compared to GTA 5's 134 million. However, when you take into account other factors, Red Dead Redemption 2 reigns supreme. GTA 6, following its release, however, could dethrone Red Dead Redemption 2 as the best Rockstar Game of all time!

That was all from our side regarding the best Rockstar Games out there. If you are a mobile gamer, be sure to check our rankings for Top 15 Best Open World Mobile Games.