The very first Grand Theft Auto in 2D isometric view, founding the criminal sandbox genre. Total freedom in a simulated city, varied missions and unashamed violence. Brutal, addictive and controversial. A visionary historical title that defined an entire genre, imperfect but essential.
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Category
Open-World1 player18+
Description
Pioneer of the urban sandbox, where the player carries out criminal missions in Liberty City, San Andreas and Vice City. Created by DMA Design and BMG Interactive, released in 1997 in the United States and Europe. Top-down view, three open cities, missions to run for different crime bosses, score multiplier and police with escalating wanted levels. European and American edition.
The birth certificate of one of gaming's biggest franchises, this top-down Grand Theft Auto already set out the criminal-sandbox principle. Widely distributed, it stays broadly accessible, and its interest lies in this origin status of a phenomenon rather than scarcity. A historical piece sought for what it heralds, with no pricing pressure on its common runs.
A questionable morality
Seen from above, the city is just one big playground where everything is up for borrowing: you commandeer passersby's cars, string together jobs for the mob and settle setbacks with a bat or a pistol. The criminal climb plays out as a high score to beat, and the urban diorama soaks up your antics without you ever pausing a single second to feel guilty.
Is Grand Theft Auto still worth playing in 2026?
Grand Theft Auto is the very first entry in isometric 2D view, the founder of the criminal sandbox genre by DMA Design. Total freedom in a simulated city, varied missions and unashamed violence, the title is brutal, addictive and controversial at release. A revolutionary concept in 1997, and PS1 delivers an honest version despite some limitations. A genuinely interesting detour today.
