5 possible reasons why GTA Advance didn't get a sequel
Rockstar Games released GTA Advance in 2004 on Game Boy Advance. However, as the Grand Theft Auto franchise has mostly been dominated by its mainstream installments, those released on PC and major PlayStation and Xbox consoles, this one is relatively much lesser known. In fact, some fans of the series might even be unaware of its existence.
This alone seems like an explanation for there never being a follow-up to its storyline. But for those intrigued, here are five possible reasons why Grand Theft Auto Advance didn't get a sequel.
Note - This article is subjective and only reflects the writer's opinions.
Grand Theft Auto 4's development and other possible reasons why GTA Advance didn't get a sequel
1) Poor sales
Grand Theft Auto Advance was doomed from the get-go. Rockstar launched it on the same day as Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, which most fans know was one of the most ambitious games of its time. Oddly enough, many of its features are yet to be replicated or improved upon by the series' modern titles.
Needless to say, there was a lot more interest in it as compared to the hand-held release, and that showed in the sales. Advance also had some technological limitations, which didn't help, and according to the popular Fandom website, GTA Wiki, it sold less than 250,000 copies, which is quite poor considering the series' standards.
2) Liberty City and Vice City Stories
Following the release of GTA Advance in 2004, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories in 2005. The latter title was available on the PS2 and PlayStation Portable (or simply the PSP) and performed much better than GTA Advance.
Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories was then released in 2006 on these platforms, which also did well. So, the studio seemingly focused on developing more technologically sound Grand Theft Auto games after the disappointment that was Grand Theft Auto Advance.
3) Grand Theft Auto 4's development
Grand Theft Auto 4 was the biggest installment in the series since San Andreas in 2004. It was a game ahead of its time on many fronts. In fact, certain gameplay mechanics in GTA 4 have never been seen again.
Suffice to say, a project of this stature would have greatly occupied Rockstar, possibly leaving developers with little time to think about crafting a sequel to something like Grand Theft Auto Advance.
4) The HD Universe began after Grand Theft Auto 4 released
Once Grand Theft Auto 4 was released in 2008, the series stepped into its HD Universe era, which is still active. However, this meant that the beloved 3D Universe, which features games like GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, and Vice City Stories, came to an end.
Since Grand Theft Auto Advance is also set in the 3D Universe, continuity reasons could have possibly prevented a sequel from being considered.
5) Not enough interest from fans even now
Over the years, fans have shown more appreciation for underrated Grand Theft Auto titles like Chinatown Wars, with few even demanding a sequel. A lot of this stems from the boredom surrounding Grand Theft Auto 5 and Online and exploring older titles.
Unfortunately, Grand Theft Auto Advance hasn't been a recipient of this treatment. The game is still unpopular among a large section of the fanbase, which might be why it didn't get a sequel so far.
Though nowhere near as expansive as some of the best Grand Theft Auto titles, playing GTA Advance in 2024 while waiting for the next entry might offer a unique experience.
Also read: 5 huge differences between GTA Chinatown Wars and Advance