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2026 has been a great year for video games, with titles such as Resident Evil: Requiem already being Game of the Year candidates. But there are plenty of other titles releasing later in the year, such as Marvel's Wolverine and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. However, one game in particular seems to have everyone's eye, and that is Grand Theft Auto VI.
GTA 6 is the most anticipated game of all time, likely to be one of the greatest titles of all time, or at least of the year. At the time of writing this article, there is still over four months until it releases, and that is plenty of time to play other games. For those wanting something in between, this list will feature ten video games fans should play before Grand Theft Auto VI comes out.
'Pragmata' (2026)
As mentioned in the introduction, 2026 has been an incredible year for gaming, and one early Game of the Year contender is Pragmata. Playing as an astronaut trapped on a moon base with an android girl, the two try to escape from the hordes of hostile robots as they set course back to Earth.
GTA 6 will probably win Game of the Year, but fans need to make that decision themselves, and therefore they need to play the best games of 2026, which include Pragmata. While these two games don't share many similarities, Pragmata earns a spot by being such a fun and intriguing concept that boasts a tight pace and innovative gameplay.
'Alan Wake 2' (2023)
With Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, 2023 was one of the best years for gaming in recent memory. However, one underrated gem was Alan Wake 2. The titular character is a novelist who is trying to escape an alternate dimension. Meanwhile, an FBI agent is investigating a murder that replicates Alan Wake's horror book.
Not every game on this list needs to be similar to GTA 6; some can simply be phenomenal games that players should play, such as Alan Wake 2. This ambitious video game has a meta-narrative unlike anything players have ever experienced, using its avant-garde visuals to further enhance the surreal feel. Alan Wake 2 is a dark video game masterpiece that is mind-bending and enthralling.
'The Simpsons: Hit & Run' (2003)
If live-action adaptations of games are bad, then video game adaptations of movies and shows are even worse, but one franchise breaks the mold: The Simpsons. While they have a surprising number of great games, the best is The Simpsons: Hit & Run. When strange occurrences pop up around Springfield, the Simpson family and Apu take matters into their own hands, revealing an alien conspiracy that they must race around the town to stop.
Hit & Run is the definitive Simpsons game, and it feels an awful lot like Grand Theft Auto. Adopting its gameplay style, it is full of riveting gameplay, a spectacular open world, plenty of missions, and graphics that still hold up. The transportation system is surprisingly adept and fun to drive around, and simply cruising around Springfield is fun enough. The parodical elements and referential jokes are hilarious, creating a humorous game that can make fans laugh while being engaged in the gameplay.
'Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight' (2026)
Another 2026 video game that gamers should try out is Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It brings together the most iconic outings of Batman and his rogue's gallery, creating a grand story with familiar faces from different iterations. It follows the entire arc of Bruce Wayne and Batman, from his early years with the League of Shadows to the forming of the Bat-family and the rising conflict in Gotham City.
Fans need to play more 2026 video games to get a good scope on the landscape of gaming this year, and Legacy of the Dark Knight is a different yet riveting video game. Featuring the combat from the Arkham series, the gameplay is absolutely riveting, and the open-world format and forms of traversal make it even more engaging to play. Legacy of the Dark Knight is already one of the best games of 2026 and would be a nice change of pace before GTA 6.
'Saints Row 2' (2008)
A lot of games tried to replicate Grand Theft Auto's success, only to fail, but the closest franchise to achieve that was Saints Row, specifically their best game, Saints Row 2. Waking up after a coma in prison, the player learns their gang has been dismantled. Now, gamers must escape the prison and rescue their boss while rebuilding their gang from the ground up.
Saints Row 2 is the most similar game to Grand Theft Auto, and so it is obvious why fans should give it a try or replay it before GTA 6. It did well to balance the cartoony silliness with gritty realism, offering something more chaotic and bizarre than GTA. The drop-in co-op, deep character customization, and territory-control gameplay loop make Saints Row 2 a must-play classic.
'Yakuza 0' (2015)
More and more video games are getting live-action adaptations, but one that went under the radar for many because of its poor reviews was Yakuza, meaning Yakuza 0 is still the height of the franchise. Set in 1988, the game follows two separate young yakuza members framed for crimes they didn't commit. Looking to prove their innocence, they are embroiled in a turf war over an invaluable plot of land.
Yakuza 0 is a beloved game for the way it instantly hooks fans with a high-stakes murder mystery, delving into the chaotic absurdity of Kamurocho. This game has a magnificent balance of gritty, dramatic storytelling and wacky side quests, creating a narratively twisting plot. Yakuza 0's unique sense of style and city surrealism is exactly the kind of game GTA fans can get on board with.
'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' (2002)
It is only natural that fans should play some Grand Theft Auto game before GTA 6, and while Grand Theft Auto V would be a good option, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the best choice. Set in 1986, the player is a mob hitman who recently got out of prison, only to do a drug deal for his boss. But when he is set up, he tries to find out who sold him out while building his own drug empire.
Grand Theft Auto has come a long way; just comparing graphics shows how impressive the new game is. GTA 6 is bringing players back into Vice City, so now is the best time to play Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Fans can compare the world, characters, story, gameplay, and easter eggs, making it a fun experience to look back on. It may not be the best Grand Theft Auto game, but it is the one that players have to play before GTA 6.
'Mario Kart World' (2025)
Nintendo doesn't really have a Grand Theft Auto alternative, but the company is still pumping out some of the most innovative games, like the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title, Mario Kart World. Players can select from a plethora of Mario characters and set out on races across a massive open world, including the new knockout mode.
Mario Kart World is home to some of the best video game characters of all time, giving players an expansive roster to select from. It may have some flaws, but the knockout mode is one of the best additions, making each section of the race more tense than before. The open world is surprisingly full of stuff to do, taking fans where they haven't been before in the franchise.
'Cyberpunk 2077' (2020)
Along with Rockstar, CD Projekt Red is among the greatest video game studios, dedicated to delivering the best open-world games, such as Cyberpunk 2077. Players control V, a street punk in the world of Night City who must deliver a mysterious chip. However, when it is implanted in their brain, they need to find a cure or be taken over by the mind of a terrorist.
Like GTA 6, Cyberpunk 2077 is a gorgeous open-world city with plenty of crimes to commit and injustices to face. They have a similar vibe and style, yet Cyberpunk 2077 adds a different sci-fi spice that makes it different enough, especially with the mechanics and gameplay. Even if fans have already played it, Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that's better the second time around, so players should try it out again before GTA 6.
'Red Dead Redemption 2' (2018)
It has been over a decade since the last Grand Theft Auto video game, but Rockstar has at least given fans something between GTA V and GTA 6. Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan, the leader of a cowboy gang in 1899, the dying era of the Wild West. He sets out on one last adventure after realizing his own mortality, hoping to redeem himself.
As the latest Rockstar game, Red Dead Redemption 2 is perfect to play before GTA 6, with fans able to compare visuals, gameplay, style, and overall quality. Red Dead Redemption 2 set a high bar, but if any game can exceed it, it is GTA 6. Critically acclaimed for its immersive gameplay, stunning world, and renowned narrative, this game is among the best of all time and the pinnacle of what Rockstar has to offer.
