Fallout Games in Order: Release Dates and Story Timeline

The six principal Fallout RPGs were released in this order: Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. Their story timeline is different: Fallout 76 begins earliest, while Fallout 4’s main adventure takes place latest.

New to the series? Fallout 4 is an approachable choice for exploration and shooting, New Vegas puts more emphasis on faction decisions and dialogue, and the original Fallout offers classic turn-based role-playing. Each gives you a way into the world without finishing the whole series first.

Use the release list for a series playthrough, the story timeline to compare settings, or the starting-game guide to choose just one.

Fallout games in release order

New Vegas is a full standalone game. Fallout 76 changes the format to online multiplayer, but remains one of the six principal RPGs. The separate spin-off list below covers titles such as Tactics and Shelter.

Fallout games in chronological order

The dates follow Bethesda’s Fallout timeline. Fallout 4’s pre-war introduction does not move its entire campaign to the front. Fallout 76’s updates also advance its story, so 2102 is its original starting point, not the date of every later quest.

Use this order if seeing the world change over time interests you. For a first purchase, the game’s style matters more: choosing Fallout 76 solely because it happens earliest means starting with an online game when you may want a single-player story.

Which Fallout game should you play first?

Fallout 4: for exploration, shooting and building

Start here if scavenging through ruined buildings, improving equipment and building settlements sound like a good evening. Fallout 4 gives you plenty to do away from the main quest, and its shooting makes an easier transition from other action games.

New Vegas: for faction decisions and character builds

New Vegas suits someone who wants to talk through problems, choose sides and see their character’s skills open different options. The trade-off is age: movement and combat feel older than Fallout 4’s. Choose it for the role-playing rather than expecting the smoothest shooting.

You do not need to finish Fallout 3 first. Earlier West Coast games add context, but the Courier’s situation gives newcomers a reason to learn about the Mojave alongside the character.

Fallout and Fallout 2: for turn-based role-playing

Play the original Fallout, then Fallout 2. Both use an isometric view and turn-based combat, so allow some time to learn the older interface.

Fallout 3: to start with the older 3D games

If you want first-person exploration but prefer to follow how those games developed, start with Fallout 3, then move to New Vegas and Fallout 4. You can leave the two turn-based games for another time.

Fallout 76: for playing in an online world

Choose Fallout 76 when exploring with friends is the point. Solo questing is possible too, but you still need an online connection. That makes it a different choice from the offline single-player games above.

Before buying copies for a group, read our Fallout 76 cross-platform guide. The platform your friend uses matters more to that purchase than where the game sits on the timeline.

Where do the spin-offs fit?

These notable spin-offs sit outside the six-game RPG route. They are not missing numbered chapters.

Tactics and Brotherhood of Steel are two different games despite the shared words in their names. Check the full title when searching for a copy. You can explore these releases later without interrupting the main RPG sequence.

Do GOTY and Ultimate editions change the order?

No. New Vegas Ultimate Edition occupies the same place as New Vegas, and Fallout 4 Game of the Year Edition occupies Fallout 4’s place. These editions bundle a base game with add-ons. You can start with the bundle; playing a standard copy first adds no necessary step.

Do you need to watch the Fallout show first?

No. The show can spark your interest, but it is not homework for the games. Pick a starting point that fits how you like to play and let the setting explain itself as you explore. Save detailed lore searches for later if you want to avoid story spoilers.