All Rockstar Games, Ranked

We all know Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead as mega franchises developed by Rockstar Games. But did you know that the studio has over 40 titles under its belt? Having been active since the ‘90s, it’s hardly surprising that they have a staggering catalog of games, many of which have spawned into genre-defining franchises. 

Today, we’re ranking all Rockstar Games released to date. Sit tight, this one’s going to be a wild ride.

42. Austin Powers: Oh, Behave! and Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair!

These are minigame action games adapted from the Austin Powers franchise that, unfortunately, performed devastatingly poorly. 

41. Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel wasn’t any better, adapting the legendary motorcycle long jumps and sick rolls of America’s beloved stuntman, Evel Knievel. 

40. Grand Theft Auto Advance

As much as Grand Theft Auto has been remarkable in defining the open-world action-adventure gaming genre, Grand Theft Auto Advance simply doesn’t cut it as a story or gameplay worth playing. 

39. Grand Theft Auto: London, 1961

Grand Theft Auto: London, 1961 falters in the same vein, with terrible visuals and gameplay.

38. Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969

Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969, on the other hand, may cement you in the late ‘60s era. However, it remains an outdated expansion with awful camera angles.

37. Beaterator

Moving on to another title, a music mixing game called Beaterator. While it's pretty fun coming up with your own music pieces using hundreds of loops, it simply doesn’t match up to competing music software out there. 

36. State of Emergency

Rockstar Games’ State of Emergency beat ‘em up may bring full-blown chaos, violence, and naughtiness, but its control and camera angles don’t cut it. 

35. Wild Metal

The action game, Wild Metal, makes you feel like you’re truly piloting a tank. However, controls continue to detract from fully enjoying the game. 

34. Manhunt II

Unfortunately, Manhunt II, a stealth game, failed to live up to its predecessor, maintaining that almost sadistic but thrilling level of killing violently. 

33. Smuggler’s Run II: Hostile Territory

Smuggling off-road in Smuggler’s Run II: Hostile Territory is pretty fun. If only the missions were longer and more diverse. 

32. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

There’s fun to be had with Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, with its engaging writing and rewarding gameplay. 

31. Grand Theft Auto II

After the first entry, it’s a shame that Grand Theft Auto II remained largely the same: still fun, but leaving you craving for more. 

30. Midnight Club II

Although the racing in Midnight Club II is quite tough, it’s ultimately a blast, capturing a high sense of speed and near-authentic handling. 

29. Smuggler’s Run

Smuggler’s Run almost makes smuggling an honest job, with its solid handling, smooth controls, and commendable physics engine.

28. Midnight Club: Street Racing

Midnight Club: Street Racing offers a short and sweet journey among notorious street racers vying for first place. 

27. Grand Theft Auto

The first Grand Theft Auto game was far from perfect, with relatively boring things to do. All you do is drive around committing crimes that eventually grow on you. 

26. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

Rockstar Games definitely struck gold with the idea of tossing zombies into the beautiful Old, Wild West. Unfortunately, the story and combat in Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare needed more time in the oven. 

25. Red Dead Online

Perhaps it’s the huge success of Grand Theft Auto Online that made Red Dead Online feel like a letdown, with mostly empty maps and no more content updates.

24. Midnight Club: Los Angeles

Among all Midnight Club titles, Los Angeles nailed it the most. Whether it’s the story, characters, or music, everything feels complete and nearly perfect. 

23. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Having launched on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), the scale and vibrance of the map and things to do in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories are definitely impressive. 

22. Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis

Rockstar Games has also tried its hand at a table tennis simulation. And while Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis is stylish, it may be a bit too simplistic for some pro players.

21. Red Dead Revolver

The first venture in the Red Dead series was Red Dead Revolver, and it certainly didn’t disappoint, chasing bandits on horseback. 

20. Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony may have been the update to GTA IV. However, it still played a lot like the base game, save for some story updates. 

19. Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned was the better expansion, adding more content, not just to the story but also to gameplay. 

18. Midnight Club III: DUB Edition

Next on our ranking of all Rockstar Games is Midnight Club III: DUB Edition, a pretty fast and chaotic racer, with unpredictable AI. 

17. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

It’s a wonder how Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories gets swept under the rug, given its prolific writing, which is entirely entertaining from start to finish.

16. The Warriors

Another beat ‘em up Rockstar game to check out is The Warriors, adapted from a movie of the same name. As you might expect, the story is engaging, with similarly repetitive but satisfying combat.

15. Manhunt

Sneaking up on enemies and slashing them to death has never felt as good as in Manhunt. Rockstar truly doubled down on the dark and gloomy.

14. Max Payne

The best part about Max Payne is the bulletstorm you engage in right off the bat, and it has never grown old across the series’ run.

13. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Before you know it, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars’ story is over. But you’ll have had the time of your life throughout its runthrough.

12. Grand Theft Auto Online

Although the missions in Grand Theft Auto Online grow on you, there’s something to love about the lack of structure to playthroughs. You never know where you’ll end up or what you’ll find there.

11. Max Payne II: The Fall of Max Payne

Max Payne II: The Fall of Max Payne improved on its predecessor with more realistic visuals, smoother gameplay, and an even more exciting story.

10. Bully

Bully hasn’t been everyone’s cup of tea. But there’s no denying Rockstar’s charm, their touch of humor, and petty crimes. You just might be left wishing for more shootouts.

9. Grand Theft Auto III

While buggy and aged, Grand Theft Auto III remains an impressive launch, giving you a sprawling city to dodge traffic, cause chaos, and experience car explosions.

8. Max Payne III

Max Payne III is the peak of the series, with its twisted and engrossing narrative and satisfying shooting mechanics. 

7. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Among the ranking of all Rockstar Games, you’ll probably remember Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Sure, it may have aged now, but it did add lots of new characters, a fresh story, and fun exploration.

6. L.A. Noire

You’ll find L.A. Noire an odd duck among all Rockstar Games. Rather than commit crimes, you’re an LAPD detective solving cases. Although the 1947 Los Angeles world is immersive, it isn’t quite as free to explore as GTA or Red Dead.

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is widely known as one of the best Rockstar Games. From the map to the story, you’ll be well-entertained, with strong dialogue and unending exploration. 

4. Grand Theft Auto IV

At the time of release, Grand Theft Auto IV dug deeper into more technical immersion and storytelling. The visuals looked stunning, and even the combat was intensely satisfying.

3. Red Dead Redemption

By far, the Wild West world of Red Dead Redemption is the best way to experience the life of an outlaw. It simply is too beautiful, nailing the atmosphere, satisfying shooting, and heartwarming story. 

2. Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V, on the other hand, is the latest entry in Rockstar Games’ biggest franchise. And this time, the studio created more profound storylines that played satirical takes on contemporary America. The open world feels alive, with limitless places to visit and things to keep busy with.

1. Red Redemption II

Without question, Red Redemption II ranks in first place among all Rockstar Games to date. Its predecessor has aged quite a bit, so the sequel is the best way to experience Arthur Morgan’s life on the run. Not only does the story grip your heartstrings, but the world comes alive with wildlife and bustling towns. It feels like you’ve been transported to the West, paying the price for crime and betrayal within your ranks.