Gaming GTA Clones You Shouldn’t Overlook
Not every game gets to bask in the everlasting glow of nostalgia. Some were ahead of their time, others played it too safe, and a few just couldn’t compete with the massive success of "Grand Theft Auto" no matter how hard they tried. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t brilliant in their own way. Here are 20 GTA clones that continue to stand out in our memories.
Scarface - The World Is Yours - PS5™ Gameplay [4K 60FPS] by GAMER KING
1. The Getaway (2002)
Some games try to be cinematic. "The Getaway" lived and breathed it. Set in a gritty, hyper-realistic London, it ditched traditional mechanics for raw, immersive storytelling, which played like a playable British gangster film. Flawed? Sure. But unforgettable.
The Getaway - LongPlay [4K:60fps] by Levan
2. True Crime: Streets of LA (2003)
"True Crime: Streets of LA" wasn’t just about committing underworld activity—it let players fight, investigate, and play both sides of the law. Its branching storylines and destructible environments added depth that GTA hadn’t yet explored. It was messy but ambitious, and we still remember it.
True Crime - Streets Of L.A. - PS5™ Gameplay [4K 60FPS] by GAMER KING
3. Scarface: The World Is Yours (2006)
Few games dared to rewrite Hollywood history, but this one did. "Scarface: The World Is Yours" imagined a world where Tony Montana survived and rebuilt his empire. Some called it a GTA knockoff, but it had one thing GTA never did—an unfiltered Al Pacino experience.
4. The Godfather (2006)
"The Godfather" was more than an adaptation—it let players live out their mafia dreams, from shaking down businesses to orchestrating hits with brutal precision. Unlike GTA’s chaotic rise to power, this game was all about strategy and calculated brutality.
The Godfather: The Don's Edition - Full Game Walkthrough In 4K by Mafia Game Videos
5. Driver: Parallel Lines (2006)
What happens when you spend 28 years in prison for a crime you didn’t commit? You come back with a vengeance. "Driver: Parallel Lines" pulled off an ambitious trick—one half of the game took place in 1978, the other in 2006. It was bold, unique, and deserved more love.
Driver Parallel Lines [ALL CUTSCENES] by useBitChute fightCensorship
6. Saints Row (2006)
Before it went full chaos mode, "Saints Row" was a serious GTA contender. It offered deep customization, gang wars, and a massive open world. In this world, players decide their own story, with their actions shaping the fate of their outlaw syndicate.
Saints Row (2006) - Full Gameplay | XBOX 360 | UHD | 4K | by Game Network
7. Sleeping Dogs (2012)
Forget gangsters—this time, you were infiltrating them. "Sleeping Dogs" brought martial arts combat, parkour, and a gripping undercover cop story to the GTA formula. Hong Kong’s neon streets and brutal street fights made it unforgettable, even without the sequels it deserved.
8. Mafia (2002)
While GTA thrived on chaos, "Mafia" focused on realism. Set in the 1930s, it featured realistic car speeds, grounded storytelling, and deadly gunfights. Every mission felt cinematic, making players feel like part of a Scorsese film. It played by the rules and that’s what made it special.
9. Total Overdose (2005)
Mexican cartels and telenovela-style drama defined "Total Overdose." It mixed GTA’s open-world chaos with Max Payne-style slow-motion shootouts. Players could backflip off walls while dual-wielding pistols, turning every fight into an action movie.
Total Overdose Full Gameplay Walkthrough 4K UHD Longplay by REBORN GAMERS
10. Retro City Rampage (2012)
Take classic GTA, inject ’80s nostalgia, and crank the chaos to eleven—that’s "Retro City Rampage." This pixel-art lawless chaos was packed with pop culture references and a massive open world. It wasn’t just a parody; it was a love letter to old-school gaming.
Playthrough: Retro City Rampage HD (part 4) by FatUglyAndNaked
11. Wheelman (2009)
What if GTA had a Hollywood action star? "Wheelman" answered with Vin Diesel as a getaway driver in an open-world Barcelona. High-speed chases and insane stunts made it feel like a playable action movie—imperfect but pure adrenaline-fueled chaos.
Vin Diesel Wheelman Game 2009 Walkthrough (4K60FPS FULL GAME) by GamersAdventure HD
12. Watch Dogs (2014)
Imagine a world where your phone is the ultimate weapon. “Watch Dogs” takes the open-world freedom of GTA and replaces street crime with cyber warfare. Players explore a massive urban environment, drive cars, complete side missions, and cause city-wide chaos—but instead of brute force, it’s all about hacking.
WATCH DOGS | Full Game (PS3 Gameplay 4K UHD) by Benedict
13. GUN (2005)
Before "Red Dead Redemption," "GUN" delivered an outlaw rampage with horse chases and open-world gunfights. The dusty frontier felt lawless, filled with corrupt sheriffs and outlaw duels. It was gritty, brutal, and ahead of its time—but Rockstar’s cowboy epic stole its thunder.
GUN | Full Game Walkthrough | INSANE | No Damage | 4K 60FPS by Bro My Quality Game!
14. Shakedown: Hawaii (2019)
What if GTA had a corporate twist? "Shakedown: Hawaii" lets players build a criminal empire by strong-arming businesses and taking over the city. Its pixelated, 16-bit world hid a surprising amount of depth. Retro charm met modern satire, making it a forgotten gem.
Shakedown: Hawaii Mobile Gameplay (iOS, Android) by Techzamazing
15. Gangstar: Crime City (2006)
Before mobile gaming exploded, "Gangstar: Crime City" gave flip phone users a taste of GTA-style action. Open-world missions, carjackings, and gunfights were packed into a tiny screen. It may feel primitive today, but for its time, it was a pocket-sized revolution.
RISE OF GANGSTER: Crime City Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 (iOS, Android) by MobileGamesDaily
16. The Saboteur (2009)
Few GTA clones dared to rewrite history, but "The Saboteur" did just that. Set in Nazi-occupied France, players controlled a rogue Irish resistance fighter taking down the enemy. A unique black-and-white-to-color mechanic made liberation feel powerful.
THE SABOTEUR Full Gameplay Walkthrough 4K 60FPS - No Commentary [FULL GAME] by ConiferousRobot
17. Payback (2001)
Long before "Retro City Rampage," "Payback" was the alternative for classic GTA fans. Its destructible environments and free-roaming chaos mirrored early GTA games. It never got the fame it deserved, but it scratched the underworld chaos itch for those who found it.
Payback - GBA Gameplay by Classic Gaming Player
18. American Fugitive (2019)
Sometimes, simplicity is king. "American Fugitive" took the old-school GTA formula, added modern physics, and let players rob houses, steal cars, and outrun cops. Its top-down perspective brought back nostalgia, but its fresh mechanics made it feel new again.
AMERICAN FUGITIVE Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - GTA SUCCESSOR ??? by GameRiot
19. Just Cause (2006)
GTA games let you cause destruction, but "Just Cause" makes it your mission. Instead of playing a criminal, you step into the shoes of Rico Rodriguez, a government agent tasked with overthrowing corrupt regimes. This series is all about physics-defying action in massive open worlds.
Just Cause (2006) - PC Gameplay / Win 10 / 4k 2160p by FirstPlays HD
20. 25 to Life (2006)
"25 to Life" set out to deliver GTA-style multiplayer gang warfare, offering open-ended shootouts and a gritty underworld vibe. While it never reached its full potential, it gave players a cops vs. criminals battleground long before "GTA Online" existed. Its chaotic action and team-based combat still found a dedicated audience.
25 to Life (2006) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
