Before GTA 6: why GTA 2 mattered
Short answer: Decked Out Magazine looks back at GTA 2 (1999) ahead of GTA 6’s 19 November launch. Its top-down graphics already felt dated, with slippery driving and chaotic gang fights, but it was the “sandbox stress-test” that led to GTA 3, San Andreas and eventually GTA 6.
By Jake Morrison · Sources checked by GTA6Geek Editorial · Published · Last updated · 4 min read
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On 31 October 2026, Decked Out Magazine continued its “Before GTA 6” series with GTA 2. Its main points:
| Then (GTA 2, 1999) | Now (GTA 6, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Top-down 2D camera | Full 3D open world of Leonida |
| Slippery driving | Detailed handling, fuel and engine wear |
| Chaotic gang fights | NPCs with traits and 600,000 animations |
The writer says GTA 2 looked like a mid-1990s PC game even in 1999, but calls it the ultimate sandbox stress-test: “2 led to 3, which eventually led to San Andreas.”
Is this real? Reported, but not confirmed by Rockstar yet
Who said it: Decked Out Magazine, a retrospective opinion piece. Sources: 1 (Decked Out Magazine). Our view: a history and opinion article, not new GTA 6 information. Checked: 31 Oct 2026.
How far the series has come
See how GTA 6 compares in GTA 5 vs GTA 6, the new 600,000 NPC animations and the GTA 6 map.
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Frequently asked questions
When did GTA 2 come out?
1999.
Was GTA 2 3D?
No, it used a top-down 2D camera.
When does GTA 6 come out?
19 November 2026.
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