The best Grand Theft Auto final missions (ranked)

The Grand Theft Auto games are known for their excellent stories and even more fun gameplay. From blowing up cars to taking down some of the most dangerous individuals in the fictional world of GTA, fans have no shortage of exciting things to discover. However, everything comes to a head in every game’s final mission.

Today, we want to go through our picks for the best final missions in every Grand Theft Auto game. These range from the old and gold Grand Theft Auto San Andreas to the newest final mission of Grand Theft Auto 5. Naturally, we’ll also expand on why we believe every mission deserves a spot on this list.

So, without further ado, here are the best Grand Theft Auto final missions over the years.

End of the Line – GTA San Andreas

End of the Line wraps up the best entry in the franchise with thrilling gameplay and narrative tropes. The mission involves Carl and Sweet tracking down and confronting Big Smoke in East Los Santos. A S.W.A.T. tank being used to breach Smoke’s fortress is dramatic in the best way possible. Carl goes in alone to atone for his failures and fights through waves of gang members and guards.

The best part of the mission is coming face to face with Big Smoke. The betrayal cuts deep, and Carl and Big Smoke’s conversation is unforgettable. Blinded by his obsession with power, Smoke leaves Carl with no choice but to take his life. The mission then leads to an escape, with Carl and Sweet chasing down and killing Tenpenny. His fate is sealed in the neighborhood where it began, bringing closure to a timeless classic.

A Revenger’s Tragedy – GTA IV

A Revenger’s Tragedy gives Niko a bittersweet narrative payoff in perhaps GTA’s most emotionally scarring ending. The mission begins with a thrilling car chase that sets the tone for things to come. Niko and Jacob chase Pegorino’s men across land, sea, and air, making players adapt to new challenges. The chaos leads to a final confrontation, with Niko’s fight with Dimitri charged with raw emotion.

Kate’s death at Roman’s wedding due to Dimitri’s betrayal shatters Niko’s hope for a better life. This loss propels Niko to confront Dimitri in an epic showdown. While Niko loses Kate, Roman’s survival serves as a bittersweet reminder of the family he still has. With Roman assuring that it’s over after Dimitri’s death, the moment marks a painful closure for Niko, whose final act is an outlet of his anger, guilt, and longing for a better life.

The Third Way – GTA V

The Third Way is hands down the most satisfying conclusion to any GTA entry. Right off the bat, the mission has the best gameplay out of any finale. Franklin, Michael, and Trevor fight waves of FIB agents and Merryweather mercenaries in a high-stakes showdown. Franklin’s loyalty to his friends highlights the essence of this story and the dynamic between the trio.

The ending is great because it brilliantly ties up the storylines of all three protagonists, and each character gets a fitting conclusion to their story. Trevor takes out Haines, Michael handles Stretch, and Franklin kills Cheng. The trio finally kills Weston for his betrayal, and the final conversation is them reflecting on how far they’ve come. It feels oddly nostalgic and wraps the story up beautifully.

Keep Your Friends Close – GTA Vice City

Vice City’s finale stays with the fans as one of the most iconic moments in the franchise. The setup is tension-packed, with Sonny Forelli arriving in Vice City, only to walk straight into Tommy’s trap. The real gut punch comes when Tommy’s long-time friend Lance turns on him, setting the stage for an epic showdown. The mission highlights how important breaking free from the past was for Tommy’s rise to the top.

The mansion gunfight is chaotic as you defend Tommy’s safe from Forellu enforcers. Then comes the rooftop battle, where Tommy takes down Lance, who symbolizes his trust and ambition gone wrong. The final face-off with Sonny is a powerful moment, where Tommy kills him to become the king of Vice City. It’s everything a GTA finale should be.

Salt in the Wound – GTA Chinatown Wars

Salt in the Wound is a criminally underrated masterpiece with a shocking narrative twist. The finale reveals Huang’s uncle, Kenny, to be the mastermind behind his father’s murder and the conspiracy to steal the Yu Jian sword. Huang spends much of the game tracking down the man behind it all, making this reveal deeply personal.

From a gameplay perspective, the mission is quite impressive, effortlessly blending a series of action-packed sequences. The final swordfight with Kenny is an epic showdown between two broken family members. The dynamic shifts in gameplay styles and the depth of the story make the Chinatown Wars finale a highly underrated gem in the GTA series.

The Exchange – Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto III has revenge as its central theme. From the start, players see the betrayal of Catalina and how it almost ruins the life of the game’s protagonist, Claude. It hurts even more when players see how Claude’s ex treats her in San Andreas, opting to play with CJ as soon as he comes around and bashing Claude in front of him.

However, GTA 3’s final mission The Exchange is a satisfying conclusion to Claude and Catalina’s journeys. The mission starts with Claude going to the Cartel mansion in Cedar Grove to save Madia Latore. Upon reaching there, the player has all their weapons confiscated, creating a feeling of helplessness. All the weapons you had collected throughout your time in the game are rendered useless.

Claude eventually gets a pistol before following Catalina’s helicopter. Players must follow the helicopter amidst waves of enemies trying to take them down before finally reaching the Cochrane Dam. After going through multiple more enemies, players finally grab a rocket launcher to take down Catalina’s helicopter and put a full stop to their story once and for all.

Not everything is sunshine and roses, however. As the credits roll with Claude and Madia talking, a mysterious gunshot is heard after which Maria goes completely silent. This leaves the ending open for players to speculate, and who knows, Rockstar Games may expand more on this in GTA 6.