Grand Theft Auto games can often be written with a richness to them that will see fans debate who deserves happiness and who deserves sadness. In the case of these GTA games, why can’t it be both? There’s something bittersweet about most of the GTA endings that the series has received, and considering it’s a staple of the franchise to give fans dark endings, fears are further raised with Grand Theft Auto 6.
Grand Theft Auto: The 8 Biggest Traditions In The Series
Though the Grand Theft Auto games have featured a lot of variety, there are some consistent themes that are never going away.
A bittersweet ending is one that consists of a mesh of sadness and happiness, and these Grand Theft Auto endings certainly provide just that. With tales involving heavy crime, betrayal, a rise to the top, and murder, one must decide for themselves which is the most bittersweet and which is the most bleak.
Major spoilers ahead for the Grand Theft Auto series!
7 Grand Theft Auto 5 – Ending A
Michael Loses His Best Friend, But the Danger Ends Here
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Trevor is a liability and a danger to everyone around him and himself. Trevor might try to be a good friend, but he has such a short fuse and a lack of awareness of the consequences of his actions that it’s only a matter of time before he slips up and gets everyone killed. As a result of this man’s danger, Franklin and Michael are forced to kill him. This is an ending that sees Michael freed from the shackles of guilt and loyalty to Trevor, but also one that sees Michael forever shaken and mournful of the man who was his best friend for so many years. Trevor’s death puts a barrier between Michael and Franklin, but serves as a path to freedom for both.
6 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Huang Avenges His Father, But is Drawn Into Power
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
- Released
- March 17, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar North
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS, PSP, Android, iOS
Huang's journey through Liberty City sees him attempt to avenge his father, but his father’s killer is the one man he never wanted it to be – his own uncle. Huang gets his revenge against his uncle, but the disruption sends a ripple across the Triads, who now lack a leader. Huang hears the final words of Hsin, who asks him to become the next Triad boss. An answer is left lingering but never resolved, and while Huang may have avenged his father, he now has to deal with the seductive call of the Liberty City underworld as a man with criminal power, which is rather bittersweet, since Huang got what he wanted, but feels the strong pull of crime.
5 Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned
The Lost Lose Their Clubhouse, But They Can Have a Fresh Start
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City
- Released
- April 13, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
A simple and fun life as part of a Motorcycle Club turns deadly as Johnny Klebitz is forced into the responsible role as President during the incarceration of the ex-President. What follows is a trail of death and betrayal for Johnny, and one that results in a dear friend dead, along with most of the MC, and the clubhouse itself. While it’s a sad ending, it’s not without its optimism. Johnny’s girlfriend is heading to rehab, and Johnny can spend time learning what it means to be a leader and figuring out how to rebuild with those loyal to him. However, what makes this ending far worse is Grand Theft Auto 5, where Johnny’s girlfriend relapses, Johnny himself is murdered by Trevor, and the Lost MC becomes a petty threat from trailer parks.
4 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Toni Might Have Saved the Day, But He Ends Up As a Loser
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Released
- October 25, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
A paid killer and a loyal soldier of the Leone Crime Family, Toni Cipriani would do what was asked of him, but never overstepped his role. Toni’s loyalties would one day see him become a Capo, as he would take part in criminal activities that would see him save the mayor and earn the respect of his crime family. However, Toni doesn’t get too much respect. He’s never paid what he’s owed, and as the years go by, Toni’s influence, and the influence over the entire Leone Crime Family, dwindles to near-obscurity. To make it worse, Toni grows fatter and he’s still dependent on his own mother at his age. While it’s not a bleak ending, it’s just more of a nothing ending, where everything stays the same for Toni, and he continues to play it safe as a stepping stone for his mother and his crime family.
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3 Grand Theft Auto 3
Claude Loses Everything, But It’s a New Beginning
Grand Theft Auto 3
- Released
- October 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Platform(s)
- PS2, Xbox (Original), PC, macOS, Android, iOS
Despite surviving betrayal, getting multiple aggressive gangs off his back, and w alking away with some pretty cash, Claude still ends up with nothing. Sure, Claude has money, but he also exists in a city that hates him, with cartels that know him, and with nobody on his side to ever back him up or keep him company. The ending of Grand Theft Auto 3 is bittersweet because not much changes for Claude; it’s just a day in the life where he realizes that he has to go at it alone once more until he’s killed or successful.
2 Grand Theft Auto 4 – Revenge
Niko Loses His Girlfriend, But His Relationship With His Cousin Grows
Grand Theft Auto 4
- Released
- April 29, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
The Revenge ending of Grand Theft Auto 4 sees Niko refuse to take a deal with the infamous mobster, Dmitri Rascalov, but it’s a catalyst for tragedy, as it sets in place an attempted assassination on Bellic that results in Niko’s own girlfriend being killed on the wedding day of his cousin. While Kate’s death is a tragedy, it’s the better option. Niko keeps his family and gets to see his cousin raise a child with a wife, while he gets to become an honest man who can mourn, but start again.
1 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
CJ Has to Kill His Friends, But He Has New Ones to Rebuild With
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
Loyal to the Grove Street Families, CJ would return to his home and to his friends, only to see them all betray their loyalties. In CJ’s absence, Grove Street lost its credibility and power, and so many of its members sought greed and safety with the Ballas, forcing a war that saw CJ come out on top. With Grove Street’s losses high, CJ is forced to rebuild his gang, but he is joined by some new and quirky characters that will make the rise to power all the more fun and diversified in projects. While there are smiles to be had, it’s hard to forget the scars CJ had to obtain along the way from dear friends.
Grand Theft Auto: Ages Of The Main Characters In The Games
The Grand Theft Auto series is home to an array of unique main characters. Here is how old they are in their respective games.