GTA 6 arrives on November 19, 2026, and the wait feels long. To get through it, we picked nine games that deliver what Rockstar's series does best: open worlds, crime, chases and stories with memorable characters. The list mixes classics and recent releases, and almost all of them run on PS5 and Xbox Series.

1. Grand Theft Auto V

The obvious pick. Released in 2013 and relaunched for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2022, GTA V has three protagonists, all of Los Santos to explore and GTA Online, which is still running. It's the best warm-up for understanding Rockstar's style before Leonida.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's previous game, from 2018, swaps the city for the American frontier. The story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang is considered one of the best in the industry, and the world's level of detail is a good preview of what to expect from GTA 6. It came out on PS4, Xbox One and PC, and runs on PS5 and Xbox Series through backward compatibility.

3. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition

This 2021 collection brings remastered versions of GTA III, San Andreas and Vice City. It's worth it mainly for Vice City: the Miami-inspired city returns in GTA 6, now much bigger.

4. Mafia: The Old Country

The newest game on the list, released in August 2025, made by Hangar 13 and published by 2K, part of the same group as Rockstar. The story is set in early 20th-century Sicily and focuses on narrative rather than a free-roaming open world. It's on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

5. Mafia: Definitive Edition

The 2020 remake of the first Mafia follows Tommy Angelo's rise in the 1930s mob, in a city inspired by Chicago. It's more linear than GTA but has one of the best-told crime stories in games.

6. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition

An undercover cop inside Hong Kong's triads. The game has chases, races and martial-arts combat inspired by action movies. The 2014 Definitive Edition came out on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

7. Watch Dogs 2

Ubisoft takes the open world to San Francisco, with a group of hackers taking on corporations. The tone is lighter than GTA, and the hook is hacking the city's phones, cars and cameras. Released in 2016 for PS4, Xbox One and PC.

8. Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red's Night City is one of the densest cities in games. After a troubled 2020 launch, the game was rebuilt with the 2.0 update and the 2023 Phantom Liberty expansion. Today it's on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

9. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Sega's series, formerly known as Yakuza, mixes crime, drama and lots of humor. Infinite Wealth, from 2024, takes the story from Japan to Hawaii, in a sunny setting that recalls the vibe of Vice City.

What about 171?

The "Brazilian GTA," set in Brazil, is still in development at Betagames Group. It has been delayed to 2027, according to Critical Hits, so it won't be ready before GTA 6.

In the meantime

To arrive on November 19 knowing everything about GTA 6, check the countdown, the FAQ and the Leonida guide.