Grand Theft Auto V
Three protagonists you can switch between at will, in a Los Santos built for the HD era. Thirteen years on it is still one of the best-selling games ever made.
Key facts
- Released
- 17 September 2013 (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, worldwide)
- Type
- Main series
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (2013), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (2014), PC (2015), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S (2022), PC Enhanced (2025)
- Developer
- Rockstar North
- Setting
- Los Santos and Blaine County, San Andreas (Los Angeles and Southern California)
- Story year
- 2013
- Protagonists
- Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, Trevor Philips
- Metascore
- 97 (PlayStation 3)
- Sales
- Nearly 230 million units sold in as of March 2026 (Take-Two proxy statement); Take-Two’s August 2026 results put it at more than 230 million.
What it is remembered for
- The first GTA with three switchable playable protagonists.
- Made more than $1 billion in retail sales in three days, which Take-Two called the fastest of any entertainment release.
- Released across three console generations.
- Came with GTA Online, which went live two weeks after launch.
GTA 5 cheats
All 35 cheat codes, for every platform.
GTA 5 vs GTA 6
| GTA 5 | GTA 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2013 | November 19, 2026 |
| Setting | Los Santos and Blaine County, San Andreas | Vice City and the state of Leonida |
| Playable leads | Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, Trevor Philips | Jason Duval, Lucia Caminos |
| Launch platforms | PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (2013) | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
GTA 5 FAQ
When did GTA 5 come out?
Grand Theft Auto V came out on 17 September 2013 (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, worldwide).
Where is GTA 5 set?
In Los Santos and Blaine County, San Andreas, the series’ take on Los Angeles and Southern California, in 2013.
Who is the main character in GTA 5?
There are 3 playable protagonists: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, Trevor Philips.
What platforms is GTA 5 on?
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (2013); PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (2014); PC (2015); PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S (2022); PC Enhanced (2025).
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 V — Rockstar Games
- Take-Two proxy statement (DEF 14A) — Take-Two Interactive (SEC) (27 July 2026)
- GTA V surpasses 230 million sales months before GTA VI touches down — Game Developer
- Grand Theft Auto V sell-through exceeds $1 billion (Form 8-K exhibit) — Take-Two Interactive (SEC)
- Critic reviews — Metacritic