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For the five numbered single-player games, play The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994), The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996), The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), then The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). That is the mainline release order—not an exhaustive timeline of every online, mobile, or spin-off release.
The five numbered Elder Scrolls games in release order
| Order | Game | Original release year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Elder Scrolls: Arena | 1994 |
| 2 | The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall | 1996 |
| 3 | The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind | 2002 |
| 4 | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | 2006 |
| 5 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 2011 |
Bethesda describes Arena as the saga’s first chapter, and its series materials and Anthology page establish the sequence from Arena through Skyrim. The years shown for Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim are original launch years; they do not specify a particular platform’s launch date.
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Does release order matter for the story?
Release order is a straightforward way to follow the series’ publication history, but it is not a required prerequisite chain. The games are separate entries, and the official sources cited here do not say that you must complete earlier games to understand later ones. If you are most interested in a particular entry, you can start there; choose release order when you want to experience the numbered games in the order they originally appeared.
Where Online, spin-offs, and Oblivion Remastered fit
The Elder Scrolls Online and spin-offs
The Elder Scrolls Online is an online series entry outside the five numbered games. Legends, Blades, and Castles are spin-offs, not additional numbered chapters. Bethesda’s current game listings include products such as Online, Castles, and Oblivion Remastered. Because this guide is limited to the numbered single-player sequence, it does not place every related title or re-release on a dated franchise-wide timeline.
#1 Best Overall
- Blackwood is the ultimate Elder Scrolls experience and includes the Base Game and all Chapters
- Blackwood (New for 2021)
- Greymoor, Elsweyr, Summerset, Morrowind
- Nagahide Welwa Ravager Mount
- Dremora Kynreeve Outfit
Oblivion Remastered
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a remastered edition of Oblivion, not a sixth numbered game. It belongs with the fourth entry; playing it does not change the release order of the five numbered games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to access the older games
Bethesda Support says Arena and Daggerfall are available as digital downloads through Bethesda and were also included on physical discs in The Elder Scrolls Anthology. The support page also describes the Anthology Steam key as redeeming Skyrim Legendary Edition, Morrowind: Game of the Year, and Oblivion: Game of the Year. See Bethesda Support’s download and Anthology information.
Rank #2
- ENTER THE WORLD OF SKYRIM: Experience the legendary open-world RPG as a tabletop adventure, exploring Tamriel through branching quests, iconic factions, and rich Elder Scrolls lore.
- COOPERATIVE OR SOLO PLAY: Designed for 1–4 players, allowing you to adventure solo or team up to face dragons, uncover conspiracies, and shape the fate of Skyrim together.
- OPEN-ENDED QUEST SYSTEM: Choose how you approach each mission—diplomacy, stealth, or combat—as your decisions permanently impact the story and the world around you.
- DEEP CHARACTER PROGRESSION: Build unique heroes with evolving skills, gear, and abilities inspired by the video game’s iconic progression systems.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Modular scenarios, multiple quest paths, and varied character builds ensure every campaign feels fresh and every journey through Skyrim is different.
Bethesda describes the The Elder Scrolls Anthology as a collectible PC box set covering all five numbered games and official add-ons, from Arena through Skyrim Legendary Edition. Those pages document the collection and its access details, not current stock or whether a particular used key remains redeemable. Check current availability, compatibility, and seller terms before buying a legacy copy.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- ANNIVERSARY EDITION CONTENT — Includes the base game, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, Dragonborn, and hundreds of Creation Club items such as quests, weapons, armor, spells, and dungeons.
- SWITCH 2 ENHANCEMENTS — Explore Skyrim with updated visuals, improved load times, and optimized performance for Nintendo Switch 2.
- SHAPE YOUR ADVENTURE — Choose your character and decide how to play in an open world that responds to your actions.
- BUILD YOUR CHARACTER — Choose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities to define your play style.
- BATTLE DRAGONS — Face ancient dragons as the Dragonborn, learn their secrets, and harness their power.
Rank #3
- The Elder Scrolls Online collection: Blackwood is the ultimate Elder Scrolls experience and includes the base game, new Blackwood chapter, and all previous chapters.
- Create your ultimate RPG character, play solo or adventure with friends, and determine your fate in an ever-expanding world. With no level restrictions, go anywhere, at any time in a truly open world. In the Elder Scrolls Online, the choice is yours.
- Begin your adventure where you like: emerge from Coldharbour in the Base Game, battle Dragons in the Elsweyr Chapter, or get ready to face the Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, in Blackwood, the latest Chapter.
- As part of the Gates of Oblivion adventure, a deal made with the Prince of Destruction comes due in Blackwood. Explore Imperial cities and murky bogs, uncover Mehrunes Dagon's sinister plot, and never adventure alone with the new Companions System.
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