For a first playthrough, the clearest route through the six mainline Fallout games is release order: Fallout (1997), Fallout 2 (1998), Fallout 3 (2008), Fallout: New Vegas (2010), Fallout 4 (2015), then Fallout 76 (2018). That path shows how the series changed over time. There is no required order, though: Bethesda says any Fallout game can be a first entry. If you want the story in chronological order instead, begin with Fallout 76 and follow it with Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, New Vegas, and Fallout 4.
Which Fallout game should you play first?
Choose Fallout (1997) if you want to experience the series from its beginning and are comfortable with a classic, turn-based role-playing game. Continue with Fallout 2 if that style appeals to you. If you would rather start with a later console-era RPG, begin with Fallout 3, then play Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4. Choose Fallout 76 if an online multiplayer setting in Appalachia is what interests you most.
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This is a recommendation, not a prerequisite list. Bethesda’s October 2022 Fallout timeline says any game can be a starting point, and the entries span centuries of in-universe history. You do not need to finish the older games before trying a newer one. The best starting point is the game whose format, setting, and available platform suit you.
Fallout games in release order
Release order is the most straightforward path for a newcomer who wants to see the franchise’s development as players encountered it. The gaps between releases are part of that history: the first two games arrived in 1997 and 1998, while the next mainline entry came in 2008.
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- ANNIVERSARY EDITION — Celebrate ten years of Fallout 4 with the complete post‑nuclear RPG experience, winner of over 200 Best Of awards including DICE and BAFTA Game of the Year.
- COMPLETE BASE GAME INCLUDED — Experience the full Fallout 4 main campaign as the Sole Survivor of Vault 111, shaping the fate of the Commonwealth through meaningful choices, factions, and exploration.
- ALL 6 OFFICIAL EXPANSIONS — Includes Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault‑Tec Workshop, and Nuka‑World for massive story, settlement, and gameplay additions.
- 150+ CREATION CLUB ITEMS — Expand your adventure with curated Creation Club content featuring unique weapons, power armor sets, building packs, paint jobs, player homes, and Dogmeat cosmetic variants.
- OPEN‑WORLD FREEDOM — Explore hundreds of locations, craft weapons and armor, build and manage settlements, and customize your playstyle using the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system and perk progression.
| Play | Game | Release year | What it adds to the series |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fallout | 1997 | The original California-set RPG, introducing S.P.E.C.I.A.L., companions, and the series’ post-apocalyptic world and factions. |
| 2 | Fallout 2 | 1998 | A direct sequel that continues the world and its factions, with a later story set in 2241. |
| 3 | Fallout 3 | 2008 | A new setting and a major shift in presentation; it was the first mainline Fallout on consoles and introduced V.A.T.S. in its reimagined form. |
| 4 | Fallout: New Vegas | 2010 | A separate Mojave story shaped by competing regional powers, following Fallout 3 in release order. |
| 5 | Fallout 4 | 2015 | A Commonwealth adventure that expands the series with crafting and settlement construction. |
| 6 | Fallout 76 | 2018 | An online multiplayer entry set in Appalachia and a prequel in the mainline story chronology. |
The developer credits in Bethesda’s timeline identify Interplay Entertainment for the first two games, Bethesda Game Studios for Fallout 3, Bethesda Game Studios for Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, and Obsidian Entertainment for New Vegas. These credits help explain the franchise’s changing development history, but you do not need to know them to choose a play order.
Fallout games in chronological story order
If you prefer to follow the dates of the settings rather than the games’ release history, use this order. The dates below are the in-universe years listed in Bethesda’s 2022 timeline, not release years.
| Play | Game | Setting year | Story setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fallout 76 | 2102 | Set 25 years after the Great War of 2077, as Vault residents emerge into Appalachia. |
| 2 | Fallout | 2161 | The Vault Dweller searches Southern California for a water chip. |
| 3 | Fallout 2 | 2241 | The Chosen One seeks a G.E.C.K. for Arroyo. |
| 4 | Fallout 3 | 2277 | The Lone Wanderer leaves Vault 101 in search of their father. |
| 5 | Fallout: New Vegas | 2281 | The Courier is drawn into a power struggle in the Mojave. |
| 6 | Fallout 4 | 2287 | The Sole Survivor searches the Commonwealth for family. |
This order puts Fallout 76 first because its story begins earliest, even though it was released after the other games in the list. Fallout 4 is the latest mainline setting in Bethesda’s timeline. Chronological order is a useful way to map the broad passage of time, but it is not a sequence Bethesda requires newcomers to follow.
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- ANNIVERSARY EDITION — Get Fallout 4, all six official expansions, and more than 150 Creation Club items in one package.
- EXPLORE THE COMMONWEALTH — Play as the Sole Survivor of Vault 111 and shape the Commonwealth through choices, factions, and exploration.
- SIX EXPANSIONS — Explore Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World.
- CREATION CLUB ITEMS — Enrich your adventure with more than 150 items, including unique weapons, power armor sets, building packs, paint jobs, homes, and Dogmeat appearance options.
- OPEN-WORLD RPG — Explore the post-nuclear world, craft weapons and armor, and build and manage settlements.
How the games differ in style
The biggest practical choice is not release year or story date; it is the kind of game you want to play. The series moves from classic turn-based RPGs to later console-era role-playing games, then to an online multiplayer entry. Bethesda’s April 2024 guide describes these differences, which make it possible to pick a game by play style rather than commit to the whole franchise.
Classic role-playing games: Fallout and Fallout 2
The first two games are the classic, turn-based branch of the series. Their place at the start of the release sequence makes them the natural choice if you want to see the franchise’s original form. They also share a connected world: Fallout 2 is a direct sequel to Fallout, so playing the first game before the second gives that continuation its intended context. If the format is not for you, it is reasonable to skip ahead rather than treat these games as required homework.
Squad-focused combat: Fallout Tactics
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel is an optional side path, not one of the six mainline entries in the recommended order. Bethesda describes its combat as a mix of real-time and turn-based play, with a focus on squad combat. It may suit players who want a tactical spin on the setting; it is not the best substitute for a mainline story if your goal is to follow the core sequence.
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- New Next Generation Graphics & Lighting Engine Brings to Life the World of Fallout. From the Blasted Forests of the Commonwealth to the Ruins of Boston, Every Location Is Packed With Dynamic Detail
- Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage
Later console-era RPGs: Fallout 3, New Vegas, and Fallout 4
Fallout 3 marks a major change in the mainline series: it takes the story to a new setting, brought Fallout to consoles for the first time as a mainline game, and introduced V.A.T.S. in a reimagined form. New Vegas shifts the action to the Mojave and centers its story on regional powers. Fallout 4 moves to the Commonwealth and places more emphasis on crafting and settlement construction. If you want the later console-era style, this three-game run provides a focused route without requiring the first two games.
Online multiplayer: Fallout 76
Fallout 76 is the series’ online multiplayer entry. Its Appalachia setting and position as a prequel make it a distinct choice from the other games, not simply the next single-player chapter after Fallout 4. Playing it last follows release order; playing it first follows the mainline chronology. Choose based on whether you want to play online and which ordering matters more to you.
Optional Fallout games and side paths
Bethesda distinguishes the mainline sequence from other Fallout releases. These games can add a different kind of experience, but they are not required to understand the six-game route above.
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- Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition brings the complete post-nuclear epic together in one definitive package.
- Includes the full base game and the 6 official expansions: Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World.
- Plus, over 150 Creation Club items, featuring unique weapons, power armor sets, building packs, paint jobs, one of a kind homes, and even have Dogmeat take on the appearance of another breed, to enrich your journey through the Commonwealth.
- Celebrate a decade of adventure, survival, and choice in a world forever changed.
- The wasteland is yours to explore again.
- Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004): An optional, action-oriented console spin-off. It is a separate game from Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel.
- Fallout Shelter (2015): A Vault management game rather than a mainline role-playing entry. Bethesda’s April 2024 guide listed it as free on mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC; confirm current availability and platform support in your region.
- Fallout Pinball (2016): A virtual pinball board in the Pinball FX series, developed with Zen Studios, according to Bethesda’s timeline.
If you finish a game and want a related next step, let the format guide you. Players who enjoy the classic RPG approach can move from Fallout to Fallout 2. Players who want the later console-era style can start with Fallout 3 and continue through New Vegas to Fallout 4. This is a recommendation based on the games’ formats and settings, not a promise that progress or choices carry over between every title.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platforms, editions, and availability
Check platform compatibility before choosing a starting game. Bethesda’s April 2024 guide listed platforms as shown below. This is a dated snapshot, not a guarantee that a game is currently sold or playable in every region, edition, or storefront.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall| Game or group | Platforms listed in Bethesda’s April 2024 guide |
|---|---|
| Fallout and Fallout 2 | PC |
| Fallout Tactics | PC |
| Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas | Xbox, PlayStation, and PC |
| Fallout Shelter | Mobile, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC |
| Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 | Xbox, PlayStation, and PC |
Those broad platform labels do not specify every console generation, storefront, or regional restriction. Look up the individual game in the store for your system and confirm that the version offered is compatible before buying. Availability can change after a guide is published.
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What the Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition includes
Bethesda’s Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition page describes an edition that includes the base game, all six official expansions, and more than 150 Creation Club items. The named expansions are Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World. The page lists Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 from November 10, 2025, and says Nintendo Switch 2 is due in 2026. Check the current listing and included content for your region and system; an edition’s name alone is not a substitute for checking its contents.
Fallout Anthology as a collector’s item
Bethesda Support describes Fallout Anthology as a collectible Fat Man mini-nuke containing Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition, and Fallout: New Vegas: Ultimate Edition, with space reserved for a Fallout 4 disc. That description identifies the contents of the collectible release, not a current sales offer. Treat it as a possible used or collector search and verify exactly what a listing includes before purchasing.
Quick Recap
A quick decision guide
- Want the franchise’s history? Play the six mainline games in release order.
- Want the earliest mainline story first? Start with Fallout 76, then follow the chronological table.
- Prefer classic turn-based RPGs? Start with Fallout and continue to Fallout 2.
- Prefer a later console-era RPG? Start with Fallout 3, then play New Vegas and Fallout 4.
- Want squad tactics or Vault management instead? Try Fallout Tactics or Fallout Shelter as optional side paths.
- Unsure whether a game will work on your device? Check the current platform-specific store listing; Bethesda’s April 2024 platform guide may not reflect later availability changes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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