Summary
- GTA games feature strong writing and organic friendships that add depth to the emotional storylines.
- Memorable friendships, like Packie trusting Niko or Michael and Trevor reconciling, are the beating heart of the games.
- Characters like CJ and Woozie or Franklin and Lamar share electric chemistry, leading to funny and memorable moments in the series.
Grand Theft Auto is a series full of incredible games with memorable characters that fans love to this day. From CJ's adventures in San Andreas to the lovable trio in Grand Theft Auto 5, there's no shortage of amazing personalities in the series.
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As one would expect, the strong writing present in the GTA games leads to the formation of several organic friendships that serve as the beating heart of these games. These bonds are amazing to witness and add to the emotions of the story whenever these friendships are put to the test.
8 Niko Bellic & Patrick "Packie" McReary
Packie Trusts Niko Enough To Set Him Up With His Sister
Grand Theft Auto 4
- Released
- April 29, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 4
An ex-member of the Irish mob who carried out small-time crimes after distancing himself from the group, Packie met Niko via Elizabeta Torres and formed a deep bond after a botched cocaine deal.
Packie is a hilarious character and trusts Niko enough to set him up with Kate, his sister. This leads to heartbreak if players take the Revenge option at the end, which leads to Kate's death as a distraught Packie blames her demise on the McReary curse in a heartfelt confession.
7 Luis Fernando Lopez & Anthony "Tony" Prince
Even Though Luis Works For Tony, The Two Share A Deep, Friendly Bond
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony
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Luis may work for this eccentric character, but it's clear that their relationship is more than just a regular leader-subordinate dynamic. Tony's fondness for Luis can be seen in GTA Online, where fans can see a picture of Luis on his desk.
6 Carl "CJ" Johnson & Wu Zi Mu, AKA Woozie
The Chemistry CJ Shares With The Leader Of The Triads Is Electric
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
After being betrayed by his closest friend, CJ gathers a bunch of allies throughout San Andreas to aid him in a heroic return to Los Santos. After reaching San Fierro, CJ wastes no time in getting in Wu Zi Mu's good books, with the duo becoming steadfast friends.
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The chemistry the duo shares is electric and leads to some of the funniest moments in the series. Despite his blindness, Woozie is one of the most competent characters in the series and a loyal ally to CJ through thick and thin.
5 Michael Townley / De Santa & Trevor Philips
Despite Their Issues, Michael And Trevor Will Always Be Steadfast Friends
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 5
To say that Michael and Trevor's friendship has been smooth sailing would be an outright lie. Trevor was a loose cannon who fired off one too many times, forcing Michael to fake his death to escape from the redneck's crazy antics.
Unfortunately, his past comes back to haunt him when Trevor catches wind of his friend, causing them to be embroiled in a string of crazy missions once again. In the canon Deathwish ending, the two make amends and kill everyone standing in their way, finally enjoying a clean slate as the game draws to a close.
4 Niko Bellic & "Little" Jacob Hughes
After Proving His Worth, Niko And Jacob Form A Great Friendship
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 4
Niko Bellic has a tough exterior, but his competent nature makes it easy for people to rely on him. Such is the case with Little Jacob, who meets Niko when the latter picks up the slack for Roman's cab company.
After protecting him from a drug deal gone wrong, Jacob warms up to Niko and decides to ask for his help as an accomplice across various missions. They eventually see each other as equals and become steadfast friends, watching out for each other across several death-defying shootouts.
3 Michael Townley / De Santa & Lester Crest
Lester Always Looked Out For Michael, No Matter What
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 5
Michael can't count on too many friends in his life, which is why his relationship with Lester is so magical. The duo has been through thick and thin, with Lester making it a point to see that Michael is well-off as a way to repay him for the many heists he participated in with him.
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He doesn't bat an eye when Michael wants to get back in the game again and looks out for him when Trevor comes back. Ultimately, this partnership culminates in a series of action-packed heists that are a joy to play through as the main trio makes bank — courtesy of Lester's smart planning.
2 Carl "CJ" Johnson & Cesar Vialpando
Cesar Proves His Loyalty To CJ Several Times
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
It's easy to see why CJ didn't trust Cesar at first, given how protective he was of his sister. However, Cesar wasted no time in earning CJ's trust, especially when he called CJ and let him know that two of his closest friends were working with C.R.A.S.H.
Despite being from different backgrounds, CJ and Cesar grew to trust each other and became steadfast friends in the process. By the end of the game, CJ would've had no problems with giving his blessings to Kendl and Cesar's union.
1 Franklin Clinton & Lamar Davis
Despite His Stupidity, It's Clear That Both Franklin And Lamar Look Out For Each Other
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 5
There's something about Lamar that players can't help but love, even if the man can be a bit too stupid for his own good. Perhaps this is why Franklin has a soft spot for him, even though he's always been roped into trouble courtesy of Lamar's hijinks.
From the legendary rank that turned into one of the funniest Grand Theft Auto 5 moments all the way to the many times Franklin has saved Lamar's hide time and time again, it's easy to see why this friendship is a focal point in the game from the very moment Franklin is introduced in the game.
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