An 18-year-old game has re-appeared on the Xbox best-selling charts, and likely for a good reason

Published Sep 19, 2026, 1:26 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary GTA IV resurfaces on Xbox, a best-seller like a phoenix, nearly 20 years after its release. GTA VI hype likely has players jumping back into older Rockstar games like GTA IV. Some even feel brave enough to replay the original top-down GTA to revisit the series' roots. With people patiently waiting for the release of Grand Theft Auto VI in two months' time, there's one excellent way to pass the time: play Grand Theft Auto V. However, what if you've already played it to death? Well, if Xbox gamers are anything to go by, the best answer is to make another hop back and check out what Grand Theft Auto IV was doing. Grand Theft Auto IV comes back from the grave to re-enter the Xbox top-selling titles Maybe III is next on the docket? As spotted by our sister site TheGamer, Grand Theft Auto IV has appeared on the Xbox best-selling list like a phoenix from the ashes. This puts it alongside other, more modern titles, such as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Valheim, and, of course, Grand Theft Auto V. Remember, GTA IV came out back in April 2008, making the title old enough to vote. So, what caused GTA IV to make its comeback after almost two decades? Well, the charts don't reveal a lot of information as to why, but we can hazard a good guess. The more obvious and likely reason is GTA VI's release in exactly two months, which has likely gotten people in the mood for some Rockstar gaming. And while plenty of people have already played GTA V to death, people are likely going back to explore the older titles to tide themselves over before IV releases. If you're feeling brave, you can try going all the way back to the very first Grand Theft Auto. That one was top-down with 2D sprites, and while we ranked it the worst GTA of the series, it's still worth a try if only for the fact that it laid the groundwork for a series that would become far bigger than its origins.