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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor most newcomers looking for a modern, single-player open-world RPG, start with Fallout 4. That is a practical recommendation, not an objective ranking: choose Fallout: New Vegas if faction politics and consequential choices appeal more, Fallout 76 if you want multiplayer exploration, or the original Fallout if you specifically want strategic, turn-based combat.
Which Fallout game should you play first?
Start with Fallout 4 if you want a clear protagonist setup and a modern single-player open-world introduction. Bethesda’s premise follows the Sole Survivor out of Vault 111 into the Commonwealth, where settlement-building, companions, and competing factions are central parts of the experience. This makes it a straightforward entry point for someone who wants to explore the wasteland and shape a personal story without needing to know the earlier games.
Think of that as a fit for a particular preference, not proof that Fallout 4 is universally the best game in the series. Bethesda’s own guide frames the choice around the experience a player wants; the games offer different settings, premises, and styles.
Choose by the kind of Fallout experience you want
| Game | Best fit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Fallout (the original) | You want classic strategic, turn-based role-playing. | A Vault 13 water-chip quest and combat that can target specific body parts. |
| Fallout 3 | You want to explore the Capital Wasteland. | The story begins with a character leaving Vault 101 to survive in the Capital Wasteland. |
| Fallout: New Vegas | You’re drawn to faction conflict and consequential choices. | You play a Courier left for dead in the Mojave, amid rival factions. |
| Fallout 4 | You want a modern single-player open world with settlement-building. | The Sole Survivor leaves Vault 111 to explore the Commonwealth, meet companions, build settlements, and encounter factions. |
| Fallout 76 | You want multiplayer exploration, with the option to play solo. | Set in Appalachia 25 years after the bombs, it emphasizes multiplayer, but Bethesda’s original reveal says players can go alone or band together. |
Pick Fallout: New Vegas for faction politics
New Vegas is the clearest match if you want the story to revolve around the Mojave’s competing powers and the consequences of your choices. Its Courier premise gives the game a different starting point from Fallout 4’s Vault-born Sole Survivor.
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#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
Pick Fallout 76 to explore with other people
Fallout 76 is the series’ multiplayer-focused option. Playing with others is possible, not mandatory: Bethesda’s reveal says you can play solo or band together. Bethesda’s official selection guide puts it plainly: “If you prefer a multiplayer experience, Fallout 76 is the game for you.”
Pick the original Fallout for turn-based combat
The original Fallout is a distinct choice for players who actively want a classic strategic role-playing format. Its Vault 13 water-chip quest and targeted body-part combat are part of that identity; choose it for that style, rather than because a newcomer must begin with the oldest release.
Rank #2
- 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
Pick Fallout 3 for the Capital Wasteland
If the Capital Wasteland is the setting that interests you, Fallout 3 is the direct choice. Bethesda frames its premise around leaving Vault 101 and trying to survive there.
Do you need to play Fallout in order?
No. You do not need to start with the first game by release date to make sense of the series’ different settings and premises. Release order is optional for a newcomer; it is most useful if you specifically want to trace how the games’ formats and approach evolved. Otherwise, choose by setting, story style, and whether you want single-player or multiplayer.
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- Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition PS3
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Should you play Fallout: New Vegas or Fallout 4 first?
Choose Fallout 4 if you want the modern open-world setup, settlement-building, companions, and the Sole Survivor’s Commonwealth story. Choose New Vegas if the Courier, Mojave, faction rivalry, and consequential choices sound more appealing. Neither is a required prequel to the other, so this is a preference call rather than a continuity test.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Fallout game can you play on your platform?
Bethesda’s selection guide lists Fallout 4 for Xbox, PC, and PlayStation; Fallout: New Vegas for Xbox and PC; and Fallout 76 for Xbox, PC, and PlayStation. Its February 2026 announcement also confirms Fallout 4 for Nintendo Switch 2. Availability and compatibility can vary by region, edition, and store, so check your platform’s regional listing before buying.
Rank #4
![Fallout 4 | Anniversary Edition | Nintendo Switch 2 [Code in Box]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41nB7eUArSL._SL160_.jpg)
- ANNIVERSARY EDITION — Celebrate ten years of Fallout 4 with the complete post‑nuclear RPG experience, winner of over 200 Best Of awards including DICE and BAFTA Game of the Year.
- COMPLETE BASE GAME INCLUDED — Experience the full Fallout 4 main campaign as the Sole Survivor of Vault 111, shaping the fate of the Commonwealth through meaningful choices, factions, and exploration.
- ALL 6 OFFICIAL EXPANSIONS — Includes Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault‑Tec Workshop, and Nuka‑World for massive story, settlement, and gameplay additions.
- 150+ CREATION CLUB ITEMS — Expand your adventure with curated Creation Club content featuring unique weapons, power armor sets, building packs, paint jobs, player homes, and Dogmeat cosmetic variants.
- OPEN‑WORLD FREEDOM — Explore hundreds of locations, craft weapons and armor, build and manage settlements, and customize your playstyle using the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system and perk progression.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition
Bethesda says Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition includes the base game, six official expansions, and more than 150 Creation Club items. Bethesda announced availability for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch 2. The physical Switch 2 package is code-in-box, not a game cartridge. Check the relevant store listing for the edition and format available where you live.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Not even nuclear fallout could slow the hustle of Sin City. Explore the vast expanses of the desert wastelands
- Feuding Factions, Colorful Characters and a Host of Hostiles
- Enjoy new additions to Fallout: Special melee combat moves have been added to bring new meaning to the phrase "up close and personal"
- With double the amount of weapons found in Fallout 3
- In a huge, open world with unlimited options you can see the sights, choose sides, or go it alone
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.
