on its face, it is true that there are massive jumps from 8bit to 16 bit, from 2d to 3d, from digital pad to analog thumbsticks, from local to online multiplayer, from cart to disc, etc. gaming generations used to offer radical changes in how you gamed. now we are in a long plateau phase where things just get objectively improved in graphics, audio, netcode, continuing support, etc. but the game is fundamentally the same.
and for GTA - before GTA1, you couldnt really make a precursor to that game for SNES. then you get a disc based system like the PS1 and GTA1 is possible. then with a more powerful disc based system you get the massive jump from GTA2 to GTA3. we dont do those jumps anymore even thought we have tried (3d tv, VR goggles, multiscreen "asymmetrical gaming". none of this stuff is as important as the previous console innovations.