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If you’re asking, “What’s the best Bethesda game to start with?”, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is the strongest all-around starting point for players who want a big, flexible fantasy role-playing game. That’s a recommendation based on its broad appeal and edition contents—not a universal verdict. Bethesda’s catalog also includes post-apocalyptic and sci-fi RPGs, shooters, and stealth-focused games, so the right choice depends on what you want to play.
How to choose a Bethesda game
“Bethesda games” can mean games published by Bethesda, not only games developed by Bethesda Game Studios. The catalog spans multiple genres, including role-playing games, first-person shooters, and stealth or immersive-sim experiences. Bethesda’s catalog includes Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starfield, Dishonored 2, Prey, DOOM, Oblivion Remastered, and DOOM: The Dark Ages. Browse Bethesda’s game catalog.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $30.27 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Skyrim Library - Volumes I, II & III (Box Set) | $54.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Fallout 4 - Xbox One | $13.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $30.81 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Prey - Xbox One | $6.59 | Buy on Amazon |
Start with the kind of experience you want, then confirm the platform and exact edition on the current store listing. Edition contents and availability can differ by platform; physical or digital format also depends on the retailer. The official catalog establishes listed platforms and editions, but does not provide a comparable performance test, current price comparison, critic-score ranking, or definitive best-to-worst order.
Best Bethesda games by player type
Best all-around starting point: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition
Choose Skyrim Anniversary Edition if you want an expansive fantasy RPG built around exploration and character progression. The edition bundles Skyrim Special Edition with Creation Club content such as quests, armor, and gameplay modes. Bethesda says the Anniversary Edition and Upgrade include over 500 unique pieces of Creation Club content; check the listing for your platform to confirm what is included in the version you plan to buy. See Bethesda’s Skyrim Anniversary Edition details.
#1 Best Overall
- Freedom and Liberty Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be whoever you want with the special character system. From a power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of perks and develop your own playstyle
- New next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of fallout. From the blasted forests of the common wealth 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
Bethesda lists the Anniversary Edition for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, and notes availability on Nintendo Switch 2. Bethesda also describes Skyrim as a winner of more than 200 Game of the Year awards; the current page does not state the count’s year. That publisher-reported figure is context, not evidence that the game is the right choice for every player.
Best post-apocalyptic RPG option: Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition
Choose Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition if you prefer a post-apocalyptic setting and a blend of exploration and combat. Bethesda says this edition includes the base game, six official add-ons, and over 150 Creation Club items. The content count describes the bundle, not its quality. Check Bethesda’s current listing and your platform’s store page to verify the edition contents. Read Bethesda’s Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition overview.
Rank #2
Best updated classic fantasy adventure: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Choose Oblivion Remastered if you want to revisit the 2006 Oblivion as a modern-platform remaster. Bethesda describes it as a ground-up remaster and lists it for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Check Bethesda’s current catalog listing for the latest platform information.
Best pick for first-person shooting: DOOM: The Dark Ages
Choose DOOM: The Dark Ages if you want a first-person shooter rather than an open-world RPG. Bethesda lists it for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and reports that it won Innovation in Accessibility at The Game Awards. That award is a useful point of context, not a substitute for checking whether its action-focused format suits you. View the current Bethesda catalog listing.
Rank #3
- Next generation of open-world gaming
- Developed by Bethesda Game Studios under the direction of Todd Howard
- Fallout 4 is the follow up to the 2008 'Game of the Year' Fallout 3
- First title from the world-renowned studio since the release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Violence
Best Bethesda sci-fi RPG option: Starfield
Starfield is Bethesda’s science-fiction role-playing option. If that setting is more appealing than fantasy or post-apocalyptic worlds, check its current platform listing and edition details in Bethesda’s catalog. The available catalog information does not establish a comparative quality verdict, so this guide does not rank it against the other RPGs.
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| Game | Genre and fit | Edition or format detail | Platforms listed by Bethesda |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition | Fantasy RPG; broad, exploration-focused starting point | Includes Skyrim Special Edition and Creation Club content; Bethesda says the Anniversary Edition and Upgrade include over 500 unique pieces | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, PS4, Switch; Bethesda also notes Switch 2 availability |
| Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition | Post-apocalyptic RPG; exploration and combat | Base game, six official add-ons, and over 150 Creation Club items, according to Bethesda | See Bethesda’s current catalog listing |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered | Fantasy RPG; remastered 2006 adventure | Ground-up remaster, according to Bethesda | Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | First-person shooter; action-focused alternative to RPGs | Not stated in the cited catalog listing | Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC |
| Starfield | Science-fiction RPG | Not stated in the cited catalog listing | See Bethesda’s current catalog listing |
Platform and edition information in the table reflects Bethesda’s catalog and title pages; confirm the current listing for your region and platform before buying. Bethesda’s catalog does not provide comparable prices or performance testing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Video Game (boxed)
Rank #4
- Freedom and Liberty Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours
- Be whoever you want with the special character system. From a power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of perks and develop your own playstyle
- New next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of fallout. From the blasted forests of the common wealth 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
Which one should you start with?
- Pick Skyrim Anniversary Edition for a large fantasy RPG and a broad set of bundled content.
- Pick Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition for a post-apocalyptic setting with exploration and combat.
- Pick Oblivion Remastered for the remastered version of a classic Elder Scrolls adventure.
- Pick DOOM: The Dark Ages for focused first-person shooting instead of RPG progression.
- Pick Starfield if you want a science-fiction RPG, while checking the current platform and edition listing.
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.
