Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor a first playthrough, play the six mainline Fallout games in release order: Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, then Fallout 76. If you would rather follow the in-universe timeline, start with Fallout 76 and finish with Fallout 4. Neither order is required: Bethesda says any Fallout game can be your first.
Fallout games in release order
Release order is a practical first-play sequence because it follows how the mainline series developed, rather than beginning with its later-released online prequel. Bethesda’s official timeline gives these release years:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Fallout 4 Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $30.81 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Fallout 3 - PlayStation 3 Game of the Year Edition | $20.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Fallout Collection (PC) | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Fallout Collection - PC | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Fallout Collection (PC) | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Fallout (1997)
- Fallout 2 (1998)
- Fallout 3 (2008)
- Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
- Fallout 4 (2015)
- Fallout 76 (2018)
This is a recommendation, not a prerequisite. Bethesda notes that “any Fallout game can be your first” on its official Fallout timeline.
Fallout games in chronological order
For the mainline games, the official in-universe sequence is:
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- 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
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- Fallout 76 — 2102
- Fallout — 2161
- Fallout 2 — 2241
- Fallout 3 — 2277
- Fallout: New Vegas — 2281
- Fallout 4 — 2287
Bethesda dates the Great War to 2077 and sets Fallout 76 25 years later, making it the earliest-set mainline game despite its 2018 release. The same timeline places Fallout 4 latest, at 2287.
Should you play Fallout in release order or chronological order?
| Choose | Best suited to | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Release order | A first playthrough focused on the series’ progression | Begins with the 1997 original and leaves the online prequel, Fallout 76, until last. |
| Chronological order | Following the mainline games by their story dates | Begins with Fallout 76 in 2102 and ends with Fallout 4 in 2287. |
There is no mandatory sequence and the games do not need to be played as one continuous campaign. You can start with Fallout 4 if it is the game that interests you most; Bethesda explicitly allows any entry point. Choose chronological order only if the dates are your priority, since it puts Fallout 76 first even though it was released much later than the original games.
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Where the Fallout spin-offs fit
Bethesda lists several additional games beyond the six mainline entries. They vary in format, so treat them as optional rather than inserting them into a definitive story chronology:
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001) focuses on squad-based combat. It is a natural optional follow-up to the original games if you want a different, squad-focused format, but that is a release-based grouping, not a definitive canon placement.
- Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004) is action-oriented.
- Fallout Shelter (2015) is a Vault-management spin-off.
- Fallout Pinball (2016) is a virtual pinball game.
Bethesda’s timeline names these spin-offs but does not give a complete canonical story placement for all of them. For a straightforward first run through the mainline games, you can leave them out.
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Choosing editions and platforms
Decide whether you want the core story, bundled add-ons, or an online game, then check the live store listing for your platform and region. Edition availability and bundle details can change.
- Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition includes the base game and five add-ons in Bethesda’s official Fallout S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Anthology listing.
- Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition is listed there with its full suite of add-ons. Obsidian’s official game page gives the release date as October 19, 2010 and lists Windows, Steam, GOG, PlayStation, and Xbox; that list does not guarantee availability on every current console generation or regional store.
- Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition includes the base game, all six official expansions, and more than 150 Creation Club items, according to Bethesda’s Anniversary Edition page. Bethesda said it became available November 10, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4, with Nintendo Switch 2 availability planned in 2026. Check the current listing for availability and exact contents.
- Fallout 76 is the online entry; Bethesda describes it as an online game. If you specifically want a solo story RPG, choose another mainline entry instead.
The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Anthology is described by Bethesda as seven games and official add-ons delivered as Steam game codes in a mini-nuke storage case. Its listing limits purchases to the United States and Canada and showed the set out of stock when checked; those terms and stock can change, so verify the live listing before relying on it.
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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.
