For a first playthrough of the six mainline Splinter Cell games, play them in release order: Splinter Cell (2002), Pandora Tomorrow (2004), Chaos Theory (2005), Double Agent (2006), Conviction (2010), then Blacklist (2013). That follows the original sequence of Sam Fisher’s story and the series’ changing approach to stealth. If you want to try only one, choose Chaos Theory for classic stealth and more multi-path levels—or the original if you want to begin at the story’s foundation.
What is the best order to play the Splinter Cell games?
Ubisoft’s 2022 series overview presents these six mainline games in release order. Ubisoft does not prescribe a required player order; release order is a practical recommendation for following Sam Fisher’s story as well as the series’ design changes.
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- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell (2002)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (2004)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent (2006)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction (2010)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013)
This comparison covers those six core releases, not spin-offs or Sam Fisher’s guest appearances in other games.
Which Splinter Cell game should you play first if you only want one?
Choose Chaos Theory for classic stealth
Chaos Theory is the best one-game starting point if you want an example of the series’ classic stealth approach and levels with more than one route. Ubisoft Toronto describes the original game’s levels as very linear and identifies Chaos Theory as a move toward multi-path level design. This is a criteria-based recommendation, not an official Ubisoft ranking.
#1 Best Overall
- Incredible real movement and control - you can even shift Sam's weight when preparing him for a split jump between two walls
- Exciting new moves maximize Sam's lethal fighting skills -- spin out of the shadows and kill silently
- All-new moves and levels - fight in jungles, on rooftops, on top of(and under) a moving train
- Advanced AI makes it harder than ever to get past enemies - if you reveal yourself they'll get reinforcements and put on armor
- Weapons now have secondary functions that can be equipped on the fly - be amazed at the advantage you get from the red dot of the laser sight
Choose the original for the story’s foundation
Start with Splinter Cell (2002) if you want to meet Sam Fisher at the beginning of the mainline story and experience the series’ original stealth premise. It also makes the progression in level design easier to follow when you continue to the later games.
How do the six mainline games differ?
| Game | Why a newcomer might play it | Access and online caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Splinter Cell (2002) | The story’s starting point and the original stealth premise. | Ubisoft’s regional catalog surfaces the title, but listings and availability vary by region and platform. |
| Pandora Tomorrow (2004) | The second mainline release; play it to follow the full sequence. | Ubisoft’s catalog surfaces the title, but check your region and platform listing. |
| Chaos Theory (2005) | A strong single-game pick for classic stealth and more multi-path level design. | Ubisoft says online features are no longer supported; multiplayer and co-op are no longer functional. |
| Double Agent (2006) | The fourth release; Sam Fisher infiltrates a terrorist organization. | The official information cited here does not establish which platform-generation version is preferable or explain their differences. |
| Conviction (2010) | A later story entry in which Fisher investigates his daughter’s death and uncovers betrayal and a terrorist plot. | Ubisoft says multiplayer and online features are no longer available. Its product page lists PC, Xbox 360, and macOS; that list does not guarantee current purchase availability. |
| Blacklist (2013) | The latest of these six games, with a terrorist-attack premise and a presentation contemporary to its 2013 release. | Ubisoft lists PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U. It says online and co-op features are no longer functional; platform listings do not guarantee current purchase availability. |
Does the series become more action-focused?
The clearest documented design shift is in level layout: Ubisoft Toronto contrasts the original’s linear levels with Chaos Theory’s multi-path design. The available official material does not establish a precise ranking of all six games by action intensity, so it would be misleading to label each entry with a definitive stealth-to-action score. If choosing a starting game by level design, the supported distinction is straightforward: the original is more linear, while Chaos Theory offers more route options.
Rank #2
- Includes three great Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell hits, including Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
- Try to unfold the conspiracy that's been digitally remastered in high definition for even more intense thrills and exciting graphics
- Jump into the role of Sam Fisher in all three games as you command an arsenal of weapons, gadgets and moves to protect the country
- Everything from gameplay to cinematic maps, menus and load screens has been visually enhanced to create stunning gameplay
- 3D stereoscope view creates visuals that pop out of the screen with 3D-enabled televisions
Can you play the older games on your platform?
Ubisoft product pages list platforms for some entries, but a historical platform listing is not proof that a particular edition is currently sold or playable on your hardware. Availability, store inventory, and backwards compatibility depend on region and platform. Check the relevant regional store and your system’s compatibility information before buying. Online-service notices also matter if multiplayer or co-op is important: Ubisoft says those features are no longer functional for Chaos Theory and Blacklist, and that multiplayer and online features are no longer available for Conviction.
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Ubisoft announced a remake of the original, led by Ubisoft Toronto and rebuilt with the Snowdrop engine. The cited announcement did not give a release date, so the remake should be treated as an announced project, not a playable alternative or a reason a newcomer must delay starting the series. Check Ubisoft’s official announcement for any later status updates.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Videogame Console Software XBox 360 Games
Rank #3
- To achieve your mission you'll kill from close-range with your combat knife, shoot with a high-tech rifle, and use radical suppression techniques like the inverted neck break
- Intelligent enemies making your mission more risky as you have to get much, much closer to them
- Completely replayable -- Totally open level design with multi-paths and optional secondary objectives
- Strive for ultimate stealth and rank yourself with the all new post-mission statistics and scoring system
- Extend the game with intense content you can download through Xbox Live
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