Rockstar is truly a legendary name in gaming and a mark of quality for many. The Grand Theft Auto series alone could be enough to propel Rockstar to the upper echelon of developers, but even aside from GTA, there are other gems from the studio still well worth playing in 2025.
While every new Rockstar release has been a real event, making some of the best games takes time and resources. This has led to huge gaps between the studio's releases over the past decade, as Rockstar is known for dedicating all its resources to a single major game.
10 PS2 Games Published By Rockstar That Have Aged The Best, Ranked
The PS2 is one of the best consoles ever made and many of the games published on it by Rockstar are as fun to play now as they ever were.
In anticipation of Grand Theft Auto 6, which is poised to take the entertainment industry by storm in 2026, let's look at Rockstar's developed and published titles most deserving to be played today. Luckily, the studio is one of the few that keep updating its older games, bringing them to modern platforms and making them easier to enjoy.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Most Immersive Open World
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Almost seven years after launch, Red Dead Redemption 2 still stands as one of the pillars of the open-world genre, unmatched in quality and detail. The game combines an exciting, emotional single-player story that can easily take over a hundred hours, and a separate multiplayer mode, Red Dead Online, for those seeking more social interactions.
Red Dead Redemption 2 remains one of the best modern open-world games, with stunning visuals, an immersive world, and a wealth of content and activities, so its value is unquestionable. Interestingly, while available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility, it still hasn't received a native upgrade.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Enduring Popularity
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
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Standing as one of the best-selling games of all time, with over 215 million copies sold, GTA 5 needs little introduction. The game has topped best-seller and most-played charts on every platform for over a decade, with millions of players spending time in the ever-evolving GTA Online.
8 Best Rockstar Games That Get Better As You Play, Ranked
These Rockstar games can initially be slow at times, but soon ramp up to the superb, adrenaline-pumping action the developer is known for.
Aside from its robust and sometimes chaotic multiplayer, Grand Theft Auto 5's story is also worth playing or revisiting in 2025. With great characters, exciting missions, and a map that has become almost too familiar, some even say GTA 5 is the only real competitor to the upcoming GTA 6.
L.A. Noire
Immersive and Authentic
L.A. Noire
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
L.A. Noire is a truly unique game by Team Bondi, growing in cult status with each passing year. Incredibly ambitious and dedicated to its promise of being among the best detective games ever made, it immerses players in a past era recreated so thoroughly that it's a pleasure to stay in.
While L.A. Noire's primary strength — its detailed character facial animations created with the MotionScan technology — may not fully match modern standards, that's hardly an obstacle. There is also L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, worth picking up for anyone with a virtual reality setup.
Max Payne 3
Holds Up Remarkably Well Among Third-Person Shooters
Max Payne 3
- Released
- May 15, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Back in the early 2010s, Max Payne 3 was one of the most polarizing Rockstar releases, as many fans believed it strayed too far from what they loved about the series. Over time, though, more players have come to appreciate Max Payne 3 for what it is — a bold new chapter in the iconic franchise and one of the most exciting titles in the third-person shooter genre.
7 Best Open-World Games To Play While Waiting For GTA 6
GTA 6 might be still some time away from release, but luckily, there are some solid open-world titles to enjoy in the meantime.
Years after its release, Max Payne 3's visceral action still impresses, while the game's distinct visual style and bleak atmosphere pull players into the gritty life of São Paulo, making it an easy recommendation for action fans today.
Grand Theft Auto 4: The Complete Edition
Still The Darkest Entry in the Series
Grand Theft Auto 4
- Released
- April 29, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
Grand Theft Auto 4 was a next-level release for the franchise, presenting unmatched visuals and physics in an open world, a true technical miracle at the time. What's more impressive is that in some details and world reactiveness, even GTA 5 can't quite compare to its predecessor.
On top of that, GTA 4 introduced a dark, gritty atmosphere and a story full of human drama. To this day, it remains the series' darkest chapter, and its story expansions, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, rank among the best in the franchise.
Red Dead Redemption
Continuing the Wild West Saga
Red Dead Redemption
- Released
- May 18, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Adventure
For new players who missed the original, Red Dead Redemption is well worth playing after Red Dead Redemption 2, as the story serves as a direct sequel to RDR 2's events. Fortunately, the original game was updated for PC in 2024, so there's no question it still holds up after 15 years. It's more than good and deserves a spot on any open-world fan's list.
7 Best Mobile Games Published By Rockstar, Ranked
While best known for their Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series, Rockstar Games has also published a number of titles for mobile platforms.
Red Dead Redemption is also known for its Undead Nightmare single-player DLC, set in a zombie-apocalypse alternate reality of the Wild West, a longtime fan favorite many wish existed for RDR 2 as well.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
Here We Go Again
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
- Released
- November 11, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter
Released as part of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, San Andreas – The Definitive Edition wasn't developed by Rockstar but recreated in Unreal Engine by Grove Street Games. Despite a launch marred by technical issues that fell short of Rockstar's usual standards, the game was swiftly patched and improved, and is arguably the best way to experience San Andreas today.
While some longtime fans may still prefer the timeless original, which remains a major part of many players' childhoods, newcomers now have a convenient and refreshed way to play GTA: San Andreas, and judging by its recent reception, many are really enjoying it.
Bully: Scholarship Edition
A Rockstar Game Like No Other
Bully
- Released
- October 17, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox
A truly unique entry in Rockstar's portfolio, Bully: Scholarship Edition (also known as Canis Canem Edit) is a school simulator done right, a game that still has few competitors years after its original release. With its compact open world, memorable characters, and a promise to revisit school days, Bully can feel like a true escape despite its age.
5 Grand Theft Auto Games That Changed The Franchise The Most
The following Grand Theft Auto games deserve recognition and respect for the innovations they brought to the franchise.
While it's a shame Bully never received a full-fledged remaster, the game was re-released for PS4 as well as mobile in 2016 as the Anniversary Edition, giving modern audiences a convenient way to enjoy it in all its glory even today.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Definitive Edition
One of the Most Iconic GTA Entries Reimagined
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Released
- October 29, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
Much like San Andreas – The Definitive Edition, Vice City – The Definitive Edition is part of the Trilogy bundle created by Grove Street Games, and suffered from the same launch issues that were largely resolved soon after.
Updating the original GTA: Vice City inevitably meant losing some of its distinct charm, so every player will have their own preference for which version to play in 2025. After all, this is a game released over two decades ago, so unless you are a die-hard fan of the original, the Definitive Edition is likely the better choice available today.
Upcoming Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2
If you're looking for your RDR2 fix, these games may help.