Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999 various platforms)
Originally released for the Playstation, GTA 2 was the first GTA game to use, albeit very basic 3D graphics. Due to the themes and violence, toned down versions of the game were released for the Dreamcast and Game Boy Colour. Set in Anywhere City, GTA 2 sees Claude Speed working for three different gangs in three different areas of the city. There is no actual date given to when the game is set, although there is an indication that the year is possibly either 1999 or 2013. To advertise the game, an eight-minute Grand Theft Auto 2 movie was produced. Scenes from this movie can be seen in the opening of the game. You can see the video below; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KQOWPtROpk
Grand Theft Auto III (2001 various platforms)
The first game in the GTA series to be in full 3D and in a third person perspective was an instant success and became the platform for all future GTA games. Set in Liberty City, GTA III sees Claude, having escaped from a prison truck, start work for Luigi Gorterelli. GTA III took aspects of the earlier games and improved upon them greatly, examples of this include an increase in missions and vehicles and a larger map to explore. In 2003, due to the game's huge popularity, it was later released on the Xbox. In 2011, to celebrate the games ten year anniversary; Rockstar Games announced that an updated version of the game would be released for the iPod, iPhone and Android.