The Grand Theft Auto franchise was an absolute staple of my childhood, giving me a level of freedom in video games that I had never experienced before. I lost countless hours cruising through the neon-lit, 80s-soaked streets of Vice City listening to the radio, and later, the sheer scale and gang rivalries of San Andreas blew my mind. Stepping into the shoes of characters like Tommy Vercetti and CJ felt so rebellious and exciting back then. Beyond the missions, just causing chaos, escaping five-star cop chases, and exploring those worlds defined some of my favorite, most chaotic gaming memories.