First GTA: The Game That Started It All in the Grand Theft Auto Series

Henry Joseph2 days ago

0 3 7 minutes read

When people talk about Grand Theft Auto, many remember the huge world of GTA V or the wild fun in San Andreas. But the first gta game was where it all began. This was not a 3D open world like today’s games. It was a top-down game, simple in looks, but full of chaos and fun. The first gta was released back in 1997 and changed video games forever. It gave players a big city to explore, lots of missions to do, and total freedom to play however they liked.

Back then, graphics were not as fancy, but the excitement was real. Players could steal cars, run from the police, and even try wild stunts. It was something brand new at the time. The game took place in three different cities: Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City—names we still hear in modern GTA games. The game was not just about action, but about freedom. You didn’t have to follow the rules. That’s what made the first gta so special. It gave you choices, and it made you feel like you were part of a living city, even with its simple look. The best part? It started a series that still breaks records today.

What Was the First GTA Game and Why It Matters Today

Grand Theft Auto was the name of the first Grand Theft Auto game, which came out in 1997. It was made by a company named DMA Design, which is now known as Rockstar Games. This game was not 3D like today’s GTA games. It had a top-down view, which means you looked at the game from above. Even though the graphics were simple, the game was full of action and freedom. Players could steal cars, drive fast, escape police, and complete missions. The game became popular because it let players make their own choices. The first gta showed that video games didn’t always need a straight path or rules. You could play how you wanted. That idea changed gaming forever. It’s why the first GTA is still remembered. It was the start of something big.

Who Made the First GTA: The Story Behind the Creators

The first GTA was created by DMA Design, a game studio in Scotland. This team later became Rockstar North, the group now known for making all the big GTA games. The idea for the game started as something small. It was first called “Race’n’Chase.” It was meant to be a police game. But the team saw that being the criminal was more fun, so they changed the idea. That change was smart, and it led to the GTA we know today. Many people worked on the first gta, but a man named David Jones was the main person behind it. Without this team, we might not have any GTA games at all. They took a big chance by doing something different, and it worked. That’s why their story is so cool.

First GTA Gameplay: What Made It Fun Back Then

The first gta had a simple look, but the gameplay was super fun. You could steal any car, drive anywhere, and run away from police. There were missions you could do, like driving someone to a place or doing something risky. But the best part? You didn’t have to do any missions at all if you didn’t want to. You could just explore the city and have fun. The game had a “wanted level” system. If you did bad stuff, police would chase you. This made the game exciting! You had to think fast and drive smart. Also, there were no voice actors or big cutscenes, just the game and your choices. That freedom made people love the first gta. It felt like you were making your own story in a wild, busy city.

The Cities in First GTA: Liberty, Vice, and San Andreas Origins

In the first gta game, you could visit three big cities: Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas. These names may sound familiar, right? That’s because these same places are in later GTA games too, but they look much better now. Back then, each city was made with simple graphics, but they still had busy roads, tall buildings, and lots of cars. Liberty City was like New York. Vice City was like Miami. And San Andreas was like San Francisco. Each city had its own style, and you could move from one to another as you played. This was a cool idea because most games only had one place to explore. The first gta gave players a big world to enjoy. These cities are still beloved today and played a significant role in the history of GTA.

First GTA vs Today’s GTA Games: What’s Changed

The first gta and today’s GTA games are very different. In 1997, the game was 2D and top-down. Today’s GTA games are 3D, full of detail, and look real. In the first gta, there were no voices or big story scenes. Now, GTA games have movie-like stories, famous voice actors, and cutscenes. But some things are still the same. You can still steal cars, explore cities, and do fun missions. The freedom is still there. What’s changed the most is the size of the world and how real everything feels. Graphics, sounds, and even the small things—like driving and walking—are much better now. But the first gta gave us the idea of this kind of game. Without it, we wouldn’t have the amazing GTA V or GTA VI coming soon. That’s why it’s special.

Cool Facts About the First GTA That You Probably Didn’t Know

Here are some fun things about the first gta you may not know. One, it was almost canceled before it came out! The team had bugs in the game, but players loved the action, so they kept working on it. Two, it had a cheat code system—players could type in codes to get weapons or remove police. Three, the word “Gouranga” appeared when you ran over a group of monks in the game—it was weird but funny to players. Four, the game didn’t have voice acting; instead, it used text. Five, the game had radio stations, just like modern GTA games. Even though they were simple, players could hear music while driving. All of these little things made the first gta fun and different. These cool ideas became key parts of all future GTA games.

How the First GTA Inspired the Future of Open-World Games

The first gta showed that games could be big and open. Before that, most games had levels or rules. But GTA let you choose what to do. That idea—freedom in games—changed everything. After the first gta, more game makers started building open worlds. You could explore, choose missions, and make your own story. Games like Watch Dogs, Saints Row, and even some Batman games followed this path. GTA proved that players love freedom. It didn’t need the best graphics or big story. It just needed fun gameplay and choices. Today’s open-world games are bigger and fancier, but they all owe something to the first gta. It opened the door to a whole new way of making video games. That’s a big reason why it’s so important in gaming history.

Was the First GTA Really That Good? A Simple Review

Yes, for its time, the first gta was great! It was different, bold, and super fun. The graphics were not the best, and some people didn’t like the top-down view. But the freedom it gave to players was amazing. You could be good or bad, fast or sneaky. It was your choice. The missions were fun, and the city felt alive, even with simple design. Many reviews at the time gave it good scores. Players liked how wild and open it felt. It was not perfect, but it was exciting. And that’s why people still talk about it. If you play it now, it may feel old. But if you understand how new it was in 1997, you’ll see how cool it really was. So yes, the first gta was worth the hype.

Why People Still Talk About the First GTA Game Today

People still talk about the first gta because it started something big. It was the first game to give players total freedom in a city full of crime, cars, and missions. Even now, fans remember the fun they had playing it. It also built the path for all the big GTA games that came after. Without the first gta, there would be no GTA V or GTA VI. That’s why fans respect it. Some also like the simple fun it had. No big stories, just you, a car, and a wild city to explore. It was fast, risky, and exciting. People love to remember where things started, and GTA’s beginning was full of cool moments. Even today, some players go back and play it just for fun. It’s like playing a piece of gaming history.

How You Can Play the First GTA in 2025: Easy Ways to Try It Now

You can still play the first gta today, even in 2025! One way is to find the game online. Rockstar Games made it free for PC a long time ago. You can search for a trusted download site or check forums. Be safe and don’t click bad links. Another way is using an old PlayStation or emulator. Some people even play it on modern PCs with special software. The game is small, so it runs easily. If you love GTA and want to see where it began, this is a fun way to learn. It may look old, but the fun is still there. Many fans enjoy going back and playing the first gta just to see how far the series has come. Give it a try—you’ll see how cool it still feels.

Conclusion

The first gta was not a big, shiny game like GTA V, but it had something special. It gave players freedom, fun, and a chance to play their own way. That’s why people loved it and still talk about it today. Even though it looked simple, it was the start of something huge.

If you love video games and want to know where the GTA story began, playing the first gta is a great idea. You will see how the game world changed because of this little top-down game. It’s fun, it’s wild, and it’s history. And history can be fun too!