Rockstar Games doesn’t just make video games — they make cultural moments. And the Grand Theft Auto series has the awards cabinet to prove it. From GTA III revolutionizing open-world gaming in 2001 to GTA V becoming one of the best-selling games ever, the franchise has racked up an extraordinary collection of Game of the Year honours. Here’s the full breakdown.
Table of Contents
GTA GOTY Awards — Complete Series Overview
| Game | Year Released | Major GOTY Awards Won | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTA III | 2001 | 5 | Golden Joystick GOTY |
| GTA: Vice City | 2002 | 3 | Golden Joystick GOTY |
| GTA: San Andreas | 2004 | 2 | Golden Joystick GOTY |
| GTA IV | 2008 | 8 | Spike VGA, GameTrailers, Giant Bomb |
| GTA V | 2013 | 2+ | Golden Joystick GOTY |
| Series Total | — | ~20+ | Most BAFTAs of any gaming franchise |
Game by Game — The Award Story
GTA III (2001) set the template. GTA III is arguably one of the most important video games ever made, thanks to its pioneering 3D open world and unprecedented levels of player freedom — earning it five GOTY awards, including the Golden Joystick.
GTA: Vice City (2002) kept the momentum going. Tommy Vercetti’s exploits in the iconic Miami-inspired city earned Rockstar another GOTY win at the Golden Joystick Awards, alongside two other notable publications.
GTA: San Andreas (2004) surprisingly underperformed at awards despite its ambition. Despite the game’s enduring popularity in the decades since, it only garnered two GOTY awards at the time — including yet another Golden Joystick win for Rockstar.
GTA IV (2008) is the franchise’s most decorated entry. Breaking records at launch for the rapid speed of sales, GTA IV also performed brilliantly with critics — bringing in eight prominent GOTY victories, including at the Spike Video Game Awards. Scores24
GTA V (2013) is the commercial beast that punched below its weight critically. Despite becoming the fastest-selling entertainment product in history and generating over $1 billion in its first three days, GTA V won a relatively modest two major GOTY awards. myKhel One of those was the Golden Joystick GOTY, where over 10 million public votes put it ahead of The Last of Us. myKhel
🎬 GTA & BAFTAs — A Special Relationship
GOTY isn’t the only measure of greatness. Grand Theft Auto has won more BAFTAs than any other gaming series — mainly because Vice City won six awards in 2003, with GTA V adding three more in 2013. Sofascore
🔮 What About GTA VI?
At The Game Awards 2024, GTA 6 was named the Most Anticipated Game of the year Khel Now — suggesting the franchise’s awards run is far from over. With the level of hype surrounding GTA VI’s release, expect a serious GOTY contender the moment it lands.
For more GTA franchise history, rankings, and gaming coverage, visit Technosports’ gaming section and our latest GTA news.
FAQs
Q1. How many GOTY awards has the GTA series won in total?
In total, GTA games have won approximately 8 major overall GOTY awards from various organisations SportyTrader — though including category-specific awards and all publications, the franchise total runs into the hundreds.
Q2. Which GTA game has won the most GOTY awards?
GTA IV holds the record with eight prominent GOTY victories Scores24, edging out GTA III’s five wins — largely thanks to its near-perfect Metacritic scores on both PS3 and Xbox 360.
