How to Play GTA IV on Xbox Series S/X Today
Grand Theft Auto IV remains a fan-favorite for its grounded tone and physics-driven gameplay, and it’s still playable on current-gen Xbox consoles today. Here’s exactly how.
Backward Compatibility Is the Only Way to Play It on Xbox
Unlike GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas — which got a modern remaster through the GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition (see our Trilogy guide) — GTA IV has not received a remastered version. The only way to play it on Xbox Series S or Series X is through backward compatibility with the original Xbox 360 release.
How to Access It
- If you own a digital copy from the Xbox 360 era, it should already appear in your library on Xbox Series S/X — simply download and install it
- If you own a physical Xbox 360 disc, you’ll need a disc-drive-equipped console (note: Xbox Series S has no disc drive, so this only works on Series X or an Xbox One/360 for disc-based copies)
- Digital copies remain purchasable through the Xbox Store where available
Performance on Series S/X
Since GTA IV runs through backward compatibility rather than a native current-gen build, performance is generally stable but not enhanced with current-gen-specific improvements (no ray tracing, no resolution boost beyond what backward compatibility provides by default).
Why GTA IV Still Matters
GTA IV’s more grounded, cinematic tone influenced later Rockstar titles, including Red Dead Redemption 2’s approach to storytelling — and some of that same grounded sensibility appears to be carrying into GTA 6’s confirmed tone (see our GTA 6 characters guide).
Quick Facts Recap
- How to play on Xbox Series S/X: Backward compatibility only, no remaster available
- Disc-based copies: Require a disc drive — not compatible with Series S
- Digital copies: Playable directly on Series S or Series X