10 Best GTA Games - Ranked

3. Grand Theft Auto III

Like some punk rock garage band finally affording amps big enough to shake the trees of a neighbouring cul-de-sac, GTA III was all the pugnacious, America-satirising spirit of GTA's 1, 2 and London, done bigger and better than ever.

Playing today you'll encounter a few hiccups with a finicky lock-on and a complete lack of checkpointing for some awkward lategame missions, but mostly this is just as playable and enjoyable as ever. With one of the finest open-worlds ever designed - teeming with stunt ramps, hidden weapons, shortcuts and power-ups - there's something to be said for less being more in hindsight.

Millions of us could draw out a map of Liberty City from memory right now, and it's down to every inch of its three island structure being so much fun to take in. There's a definable attitude to GTA III; an aura of midnight fog, nigh-on constant rain and flickering streetlights punctuating its darkest moments.

They're complimented by some of Rockstar's best characters and character moments, hilarious radio banter and a mission progression that steadily introduces new elements at the perfect clip.