Grand Theft Auto IV
The series’ first HD game: a darker, more grounded story about immigrant Niko Bellic in a Liberty City rebuilt as a close copy of New York.
Key facts
- Released
- 29 April 2008 (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, worldwide)
- Type
- Main series
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (2008), PC (2008), Complete Edition (2010)
- Developer
- Rockstar North
- Setting
- Liberty City (New York City)
- Protagonist
- Niko Bellic
- Metascore
- 98 (PlayStation 3)
- Sales
- Nearly 24 million units sold in, including Complete and Special Editions (Take-Two, March 2012).
What it is remembered for
- Take-Two said its launch broke all-time records for an entertainment release.
- More than 13 million units shipped by January 2009.
- Holds a Metascore of 98, which Take-Two cited as the highest on PS3 and Xbox 360.
- Expanded with two story episodes, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony.
GTA 4 vs GTA 6
| GTA 4 | GTA 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2008 | November 19, 2026 |
| Setting | Liberty City | Vice City and the state of Leonida |
| Playable leads | Niko Bellic | Jason Duval, Lucia Caminos |
| Launch platforms | PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (2008) | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
GTA 4 FAQ
When did GTA 4 come out?
Grand Theft Auto IV came out on 29 April 2008 (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, worldwide).
Where is GTA 4 set?
In Liberty City, the series’ take on New York City.
Who is the main character in GTA 4?
Niko Bellic.
What platforms is GTA 4 on?
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (2008); PC (2008); Complete Edition (2010).
Is GTA 4 better than GTA 5?
It comes down to taste. Critics scored them almost identically: GTA IV holds a Metascore of 98 and GTA V 97. GTA IV is the darker, more grounded story; GTA V is bigger, with three switchable protagonists and GTA Online, and it sold far more.
Sources and verification
- Grand Theft Auto IV — Rockstar Games
- Investor presentation (Form 8-K exhibit) — Take-Two Interactive (SEC) (7 March 2012)
- Ten years on, GTA 4’s Liberty City is still an incredible virtual city — PC Gamer
- Critic reviews — Metacritic