The Best Mobile Games Published By Rockstar

Rockstar isn’t just known for making some of the best open-world games of all time—it’s also responsible for some of the best mobile ports in gaming. While many companies churn out low-effort cash grabs when adapting console classics for mobile, Rockstar has consistently delivered premium experiences with full-fledged versions of their best games, optimized for touch controls.

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These games aren’t just nostalgic trips; they’re proof that a well-made mobile port can preserve gaming history and keep legendary titles alive for a new generation. Whether it’s gunning down enemies in Max Payne’s bullet-time or tearing through Vice City on a stolen motorcycle, these are the best Rockstar mobile games, ranked.

7

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

The Most Underrated GTA Game Ever

Released

March 17, 2009

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Despite being one of the most unique Grand Theft Auto games ever made, Chinatown Wars never got the recognition it deserved. Originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, it was built around a top-down perspective, stylized comic-book cutscenes, and fast-paced gameplay that felt like a throwback to the series’ roots. It also had one of the most in-depth drug trading mechanics in any GTA game, with players flipping narcotics for massive profits across Liberty City.

The mobile version, released in 2010 for iOS and later on Android, carried over everything from the DS version but swapped the second screen’s touch-based minigames for a more streamlined experience. It runs smoothly, and its cel-shaded visuals still hold up. While it doesn’t get the same love as the 3D GTA titles, Chinatown Wars is a hidden gem that plays great on mobile, delivering a GTA experience unlike any other.

6

Bully: Anniversary Edition

Schoolyard Shenanigans, Now In HD

Released

October 17, 2006

ESRB

T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence

Bully has always been one of Rockstar’s most beloved cult classics, and the Anniversary Edition brings the game’s chaotic school life to mobile without losing any of its charm. Players step into the shoes of Jimmy Hopkins, a rebellious teen navigating the social hierarchy of Bullworth Academy, where wedgies are currency and detention is inevitable.

This version, released in 2016, is based on the enhanced Scholarship Edition and features higher-resolution textures, improved lighting, and even cloud saves. It also includes the original’s side activities, from classroom minigames to bike races and boxing matches. Surprisingly, the touch controls work well, though Bluetooth controllers are the best way to experience the game. For fans of Rockstar’s storytelling looking for a setting that swaps gang wars for school cliques, Bully: Anniversary Edition is one of the best ways to revisit Bullworth.

5

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

GTA 3.5

Third-Person Shooter

Sandbox

Released

October 25, 2005

ESRB

m

Liberty City Stories was a huge deal when it launched on PSP in 2005. It took the world of GTA 3 and gave it a fresh coat of paint, introducing smoother gameplay, a better motorcycle physics system, and a fully-fledged storyline that served as a prequel to the console classic. It was also the first time GTA got a handheld open-world experience that didn’t feel compromised.

The mobile version, released in 2015, enhances the experience even further with higher-resolution textures, improved draw distance, and smoother frame rates. Liberty City might not be as flashy as Vice City or San Andreas, but it’s still packed with secrets, explosive action, and that classic early-2000s GTA charm. While not as ambitious as later entries, it’s still one of the best ways to revisit the gritty, rain-soaked streets of GTA’s most iconic city.

4

Grand Theft Auto 3

The Game That Changed Everything

Released

October 23, 2001

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Back in 2001, Grand Theft Auto 3 redefined open-world gaming, proving that players didn’t just want levels—they wanted cities to explore, crime sprees to go on, and radio stations packed with hilarious talk shows. It was the game that made GTA a household name, setting the foundation for every open-world title that followed.

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When it was ported to mobile in 2011 for the game’s 10th anniversary, it was a surprisingly solid experience. GTA 3 runs at a stable frame rate, includes custom controls, and retains the full Liberty City experience. While the touch controls can be clunky at times, using a controller makes it feel almost like the PS2 original. Even after all these years, the chaotic freedom of GTA 3 is still as fun as ever, and having it on mobile is a reminder of just how groundbreaking it was.

3

Max Payne

Bullet-Time Never Gets Old

Released

July 23, 2001

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Violence

Few games have aged as well as Max Payne. Originally released in 2001, this neo-noir action shooter introduced players to bullet-time gunfights, a tragic detective story, and one of the most iconic protagonists in gaming. It was a game that felt like a Hollywood action film, blending slow-motion shootouts with gritty narration and graphic-novel cutscenes.

The mobile version, released in 2012, is a faithful port that includes all the original content but with updated visuals and customizable touch controls. It even supports physical controllers, making the slow-motion combat feel just as smooth as it did two decades ago. It’s still one of Rockstar’s most unique titles, and playing it on mobile is a reminder of why Max Payne remains a fan-favorite despite being absent from the gaming scene for years.

2

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

The Most Stylish GTA Ever

Released

October 29, 2002

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence

There’s just something about Grand Theft Auto: Vice City that never gets old. Whether it’s the neon-lit streets, the 80s soundtrack, or Tommy Vercetti’s rise from small-time crook to kingpin, this is peak GTA. It took everything that GTA 3 introduced and made it bigger, better, and more stylish, giving players an open-world playground filled with fast cars, beachfront mansions, and a whole lot of questionable business deals.

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The mobile port, released in 2012, runs surprisingly well for a game that was originally built for the PS2. The visuals have been slightly improved, the touch controls are decent, and the game is just as packed with over-the-top action as ever. Even after all these years, there’s no better feeling than hopping into a stolen sports car, cranking up some Hall & Oates on Flash FM, and cruising through Vice City’s streets like it’s 1986.

1

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The Biggest, Baddest GTA On Mobile

Released

October 26, 2004

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs

No game defined the PS2 era quite like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It was a massive leap forward, featuring three fully fleshed-out cities, an RPG-like progression system, and a sprawling story following CJ’s rise from small-time hood to crime boss. From gang wars in Los Santos to casino heists in Las Venturas, it was GTA at its most ambitious.

The mobile version, released in 2013, is shockingly well-optimized, featuring improved character models, better lighting, and customizable controls. While it takes some getting used to on a touchscreen, using a controller makes it feel just as smooth as the original. Whether it’s biking down Grove Street, escaping the cops in a stolen jet, or just causing chaos with a jetpack, San Andreas is still one of the best open-world experiences ever made—and playing it on mobile just makes it even easier to revisit whenever nostalgia hits.

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