We know it's a virtue, but Rockstar Games is testing our patience. It's been more than ten years since serious talk of the next instalment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise began. After the usual false starts and stalls, we were assured that GTA VI would hit the shelves in late 2025. Then came news of a further delay, pushing the release date back to 26 May 2026.
For the moment, that means the streets of Leonida are beyond our reach. While the story of protagonists Jason and Lucia remains undiscovered (bar the trailers), we've been left reflecting on the history of a title which has dominated the video game landscape since the late nineties.
As a bird's eye view of cars swerving through a city gave way to a living, breathing metropolis, the team behind Grand Theft Auto have delivered plots and vistas which live long in the memory. Indeed, plenty of people are using this lull in activity to revisit GTA V, the last main version to go on sale. It continues to be purchased in huge numbers, with its online arm likewise providing an arena for enthusiasts to steal, shoot and scheme as they hold on for the next chapter.
But beyond stepping back into the GTA archives, how are we meant to fill the time previously pigeonholed for new speedboats and stick-ups? Although the much-anticipated missions of GTA VI are not yet playable, there are other games like GTA that fans of the series can enjoy.
The way we see it, when one stolen car door closes, another opens. Here are the games to play while waiting for GTA VI.
Projekt RedCyberpunk had a fraught start, but efforts to get rid of bugs and streamline gameplay paid off. The Ultimate Edition offers the accomplished package which gamers were originally promised, and it also integrates the Phantom Liberty expansion.
With plot twists aplenty, and appearances from Keanu Reeves' Johnny Silverhand and Idris Elba's Solomon Reed, you'll be able to experience the same sort of high quality and moral quandaries that we're expecting from GTA VI.
Rockstar Gameswww.argos.co.uk
Probably the other series for which Rockstar Games is best known, the Red Dead world brings you the Wild West in all its gun-toting, galloping glory.
There's a reason Red Dead Redemption 2 is still loved and played long after its release. An open-world adventure that unquestionably mirrors many of the best aspects of GTA's immersive gameplay, your time as gang member Arthur Morgan will be wonderfully memorable.
United Front Gameswww.thegamecollection.net
Launched a year before GTA V, the Hong Kong-based Sleeping Dogs shares much of the urban jungle layout of its San Andreas counterpart.
With several nods to classic action movies, it's also a game for anyone who enjoys being able to navigate through a bustling city at speed. It's less weapon heavy and more martial arts-based combat, but playing as undercover cop Wei Shen means a criminal underworld remains the focus. Plus, you can even blow off some steam at a karaoke bar.
"Think of it as Grand Theft Auto directed by John Woo" – Sleeping Dogs review
4.
Saints Row 2
Volitionwww.gog.com
The Saints Row series first found its way to consoles in 2006. Since then we've followed the story of the fictional street gang through several iterations, but it's this sequel which offers the most similarities to the GTA action you'll be familiar with.
More absurd than Rockstar's offering, Saints Row 2 still delivers hijacks, stand-offs and a trigger-happy cast of characters. It's your task to take back the territories that were lost while you were in a coma... And in prison... And undergoing extensive plastic surgery. We told you it was a little far-fetched, but it doesn't stop it being fun.
5.
Max Payne 3
Rockstar GamesHedonism, brutality and a distinct disregard for elements of law enforcement, Max Payne 3 is certainly in the GTA mould – which is no surprise given it's another title from Rockstar's portfolio.
Set in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the third instalment sees the titular Max working as private security for the Branco family. Kidnapping, corruption and betrayal follow, all set amid Hollywood-style visuals and voice performances to match.
6.
Watch Dogs 2
UbisoftFor a game with driving experiences that nearly match the heights of GTA, you'll want to play Watch Dogs 2.
Beyond automotive acumen, the 2016 release allows you to explore a sprawling San Francisco, infiltrating the servers of Silicon Valley's tech corporations as you go. If you want to stay low profile you can, but all-out combat is also an option if your favourite part of the GTA games was tackling missions all guns blazing.
7.
Just Cause 4
Avalanche StudiosIf the GTA weapons cheat is muscle memory, with the rocket launcher being your go-to method of destruction, then Just Cause 4 might be what you're looking for.
Explosions abound in a dictatorship deposing tale which follows on from the events of Just Cause 3, moving mercenary Rico Rodriguez from the Med to the fictional nation of Solís in South America.
8.
Mafia: The Old Country
Released on 8 August 2025
2K GamesOk, fair enough, you can't play Mafia: The Old Country just yet. However, it is available a whole nine months before GTA VI.
The newest title will provide an origin story to the rest of the franchise. The setting of Sicily in the early 1900s will call to mind scenes from The Godfather Part II, and gameplay will build on the action-adventure, third-person story with which fans will be familiar. Horseback riding and classic cars await, all underpinned by the criminal combat which defines both the GTA and Mafia games.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is the most-recent entry in the series if you want to get up to speed before 8 August.
When does GTA 6 come out?
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on 26 May 2026.
What consoles will GTA 6 be on?
At launch, GTA VI will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Can you pre-order GTA 6?
At the time of writing, GTA VI is not available to pre-order. However, it has appeared within the PlayStation Store, meaning that you can add it to your wish list.
What do we know about GTA 6?
Set in the fictional state of Leonida, GTA VI follows the story of Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, a criminal duo entangled in a high-stakes conspiracy. Jason is in the Keys working for drug runners, while Lucia has just finished serving a prison term. Other charcters include:
• Cal Hampton – Jason's conspiracy-convinced friend.
• Boobie Ike – a Vice City legend with a variety of business interests.
• Dre'Quan Priest – a music mogul and owner of Only Raw records.
• Real Dimez – a rap duo made up of Bae-Luxe and Roxy.
• Raul Bautista – a bank robber with a reckless streak.
• Brian Heder – a longtime drug runner providing Jason with accommodation, in exchange for his assistance.
How much will GTA 6 cost?
While the price is unconfirmed, we would expect GTA VI to have an RRP comparable with other AAA games (around £70).
What songs are in the GTA 6 trailers?
The music which features in the Grand Theft Auto games has long held a special place in the hearts of fans of the franchise. The current trailers for GTA VI suggest that songs will once again play a big part. The tracks which accompany scenes of Vice City, USA are:
• Love Is a Long Road by Tom Petty
• Child Support by Zenglen
• Everybody Have Fun Tonight by Wang Chung
• Talkin' to Myself Again by Tammy Wynette
• Hot Together by The Pointer Sisters
What is the Grand Theft Auto timeline?
The first Grand Theft Auto game was released in 1997. There are seven standalone titles and four expansion packs in total. The main games are:
• Grand Theft Auto
• Grand Theft Auto 2
• Grand Theft Auto IV
What other games has Rockstar Games released?
Video game publisher Rockstar Games was established in 1998 and has released nearly 50 games. As well as the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, other notable titles include LA Noire, Bully and the Max Payne series.
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David Ker is a journalist with a decade's experience in print and digital publishing. He appreciates technology made with its environmental impact in mind and which presents him a further means to pursue his love of music, reading, games, TV and film. Above all, with so many options out there, he's interested in products that display something out of the ordinary and offer value for money. Hard to please, he assures Empire readers that he'll be a discerning critic on their behalf.