Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy
Compilation of three landmark Grand Theft Auto titles.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy is a compilation of three Grand Theft Auto games: Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It was first released in 2005 for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 simultaneously, and later re-released for Windows, Mac OS X, and made available on PlayStation 4 via backward compatibility. The compilation did not serve as the revised package for San Andreas after the Hot Coffee mod controversy; that revised version was released separately as 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' version 2.0. A remastered version, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, was announced on 8 October 2021 and released on 11 November 2021 for multiple platforms, with mobile versions following in December 2023.
- First release
- 2005
- Platforms
- Xbox, PlayStation 2, Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 4 (via backward compatibility), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS
- Developer
- Published by Rockstar Games; original games developed by DMA Design (later Rockstar North)
- Publisher
- Rockstar Games
- Games included
- Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Remaster title
- Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition
Lore & Background
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy was first released in 2005 for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 simultaneously, bundling Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas. It was later re-released for Windows, Mac OS X, and made available on PlayStation 4 via backward compatibility. Contrary to some reports, the compilation did not serve as the revised package for San Andreas after the Hot Coffee mod controversy; that revised version was released separately as 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' version 2.0. A report in August 2021 suggested that Rockstar Dundee was leading development on a remastered version using Unreal Engine. Following leaks, Rockstar officially announced Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition on 8 October 2021. The remaster features graphical and gameplay upgrades and replaced existing versions on digital retailers. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 11 November 2021, and for Android and iOS on 14 December 2023.
Reader's Guide
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy is significant as it collects three of the most influential entries in the Grand Theft Auto series, which are considered landmarks in open-world gaming. The original compilation allowed players to experience the 3D universe games—Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas—in one package. The Definitive Edition remaster brought these titles to modern platforms with enhanced graphics and gameplay, ensuring their continued accessibility. The trilogy's release history reflects the series' enduring popularity and the ongoing demand for classic titles. Its inclusion of San Andreas, which was recalled due to the Hot Coffee mod controversy, also highlights the series' history of controversy and content regulation. The compilation remains a key part of the franchise's legacy, preserving the games that helped define the open-world genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy?
It is a bundled collection that packages three classic open-world titles—Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas—into a single purchase. Rockstar Games published it so players could experience the 3D-era trilogy together in one package.
What games are included in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy?
The compilation contains Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. All three were originally developed by DMA Design, the studio that later became Rockstar North.
When was Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy first released and on what platforms?
It launched in 2005 simultaneously for Xbox and PlayStation 2, with later ports arriving for Windows and Mac OS X. It also became playable on PlayStation 4 through backward compatibility, and subsequent releases expanded availability to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, and iOS.
Did Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy fix the San Andreas 'Hot Coffee' controversy?
No—the compilation was not the revised package for San Andreas following that incident. The corrected edition was released separately as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas version 2.0.
Is there a remastered version of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy?
Yes, Rockstar later released an updated package titled Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. This remaster modernizes the three original titles with refreshed visuals and updated features.
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