21 days to go, and a lot of people are asking the same thing: what should I play before GTA 6 comes out on 19 November? Here's our shortlist, why each one is worth your time, and what it sets you up for in Leonida.
1. GTA Vice City (2002)
GTA 6 takes us back to Vice City, so the original is the obvious starting point. The neon, the 80s soundtrack and Tommy Vercetti's rise from nobody to kingpin are a big part of why people are so hyped for the return. You can play it today in GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (2021), or the original if you can find it.
2. GTA Vice City Stories (2006)
The often-forgotten prequel, set a couple of years before the original. Worth it if you want more Vice City lore and a different take on the city.
3. GTA V and GTA Online (2013)
Still the closest thing to GTA 6's modern-day style: three-protagonist story, heists and a huge open world. If you haven't finished the story, now's the time. GTA Online is also the best way to get a feel for what a modern Rockstar online world looks like, and to find a crew before launch (try our GTA Online LFG hub).
4. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Rockstar's most recent big open world, and the best preview of the level of detail, NPC behaviour and pacing you can expect from their next game. It's long, so start now if you want to finish before 19 Nov.
5. GTA San Andreas (2004)
Not Vice City, but it's the game a lot of fans still compare every GTA to: gangs, a huge map and a story people still quote. Also in the Definitive Edition trilogy.
Quick picks by how much time you have
- A weekend: GTA Vice City story.
- A week or two: GTA V story, plus a few GTA Online heists with friends.
- Three weeks: Red Dead Redemption 2 (you'll be cutting it close).
Before launch day
Sorting your edition, pre-load and codes? Read our launch prep guide. And if you'd rather not pay for it at all, our worldwide GTA 6 Ultimate Edition giveaway is still open: enter here.
What are you playing until 19 November? Drop it below. If you're not a member yet, join GTA Community to reply, find a crew and get launch-day threads.
Red Dead 2 for me, even a second run. Arthur's story is the best thing Rockstar has done and it'll be interesting to see if Jason and Lucia get anywhere near that. Anything story heavy works as a warm up honestly.