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All DOOM Games in Order: Release Years and Story Chronology

The core DOOM games in release order, followed by a practical chronology for the main Slayer story and notes on DOOM 3, spin-offs, and expansions.
WorldOrder: Release Years and Story Chronology Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team

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For the core releases, play in release order as DOOM (1993), DOOM II, DOOM 64, DOOM 3, DOOM (2016), DOOM VFR, DOOM Eternal, and DOOM: The Dark Ages. For the main Slayer story, use DOOM (1993) → DOOM II → DOOM 64 → DOOM: The Dark Ages → DOOM (2016) → DOOM Eternal. These lists answer different questions: one follows when games came out; the other follows a practical order for the central story.

DOOM games in release order

This year-based list covers the major franchise releases in Bethesda’s official id Software retrospective. It is not a complete catalog of every regional launch, mobile game, port, re-release, expansion, or add-on. Years are used rather than exact dates except where a supported date is available.

  1. DOOM (1993) — The original. Bethesda’s retrospective credits its shareware distribution, multiplayer deathmatches, and community modding with helping the game reach players.
  2. DOOM II: Hell on Earth (1994) — The sequel, which Bethesda says built on the first game’s shareware success and launched worldwide through major retailers.
  3. DOOM 64 (1997) — Developed by Midway under id Software’s supervision.
  4. DOOM 3 (2004) — A distinct installment set at a Mars facility.
  5. DOOM (2016) — The modern-era entry that begins the sequence continued by DOOM Eternal.
  6. DOOM VFR (2017) — A virtual-reality spin-off, not a numbered main-series installment.
  7. DOOM Eternal (2020) — The sequel to DOOM (2016). Its The Ancient Gods expansion was released in two parts beginning later in 2020.
  8. DOOM: The Dark Ages (2025) — Released May 15, 2025, according to Bethesda Support. Bethesda describes it as a prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal.

These years and descriptions follow Bethesda’s id Software timeline; the release date for The Dark Ages is from Bethesda Support.

DOOM games in story order

For the mainline Slayer narrative, a useful play order is:

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#1 Best Overall
Evercade The Doom Collection
  • Officially licensed Evercade version of DOOM
  • Includes DOOM, DOOM II, six mission packs and a set of Deathmatch multiplayer levels
  • Play solo or alongside friends in split-screen multiplayer on supported Evercade devices
  • Includes original soundtracks plus Andrew Hulshult's "IDKFA" remixes
  • Compatible with all Evercade and Super Pocket devices
  1. DOOM (1993)
  2. DOOM II: Hell on Earth
  3. DOOM 64
  4. DOOM: The Dark Ages
  5. DOOM (2016)
  6. DOOM Eternal

The placement of The Dark Ages is the key difference from release order: Bethesda calls it a prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal on its official game page. The broader sequence above is a practical order for following the main Slayer arc, not a definitive official chronology of every DOOM-branded game.

Where DOOM 3 fits

Treat DOOM 3 as a separate branch rather than a required bridge between the classic Marine games and the modern Slayer story. Its Mars-facility setting belongs to a distinct installment; the main Slayer order above does not depend on it.

Rank #2
Doom Slayers Collection (Doom, Doom II, Doom III (DLC) + Doom 2016
  • The DOOM Slayers Collectiontakes players through more than two decades of demon-slaying - from the classic games that popularised the first-person shooter to the fan favourite franchise reboot, wield an arsenal of powerful weapons as you battle demon hordes on Mars, on Earth, and across Hell in four critically acclaimed games: DOOM, DOOM II, DOOM 3, and DOOM (2016)
  • Doom Slayers collection (PlayStation 4)
  • Sony
  • Doom Slayers Collection (Doom, Doom II, Doom III (DLC) + Doom 2016
  • Sony

Spin-offs, mobile games, and expansions

DOOM VFR is a VR spin-off, so add it if you want to play notable official releases rather than only the mainline story. Mobile titles such as DOOM RPG, DOOM Resurrection, and DOOM II RPG also expand a literal all-releases list, but the official timeline used here does not catalog them all. Secondary chronology guides differ in which side games they include, so their placements should not be mistaken for a settled canon order.

The Ancient Gods is expansion content for DOOM Eternal, not a separate core game in the release list. Likewise, Ultimate DOOM, Final DOOM, ports, remasters, and individual content episodes are outside that list. Bethesda’s DOOM + DOOM II page describes a combined release that includes the Legacy of Rust episode; it should be understood as a later edition/content release, not another chronological main installment.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Evercade The Doom Collection
Evercade The Doom Collection
Officially licensed Evercade version of DOOM; Includes DOOM, DOOM II, six mission packs and a set of Deathmatch multiplayer levels
$29.99
Bestseller No. 2
Doom Slayers Collection (Doom, Doom II, Doom III (DLC) + Doom 2016
Doom Slayers Collection (Doom, Doom II, Doom III (DLC) + Doom 2016
Doom Slayers collection (PlayStation 4); Sony; Doom Slayers Collection (Doom, Doom II, Doom III (DLC) + Doom 2016
$156.98
Bestseller No. 4
PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition
PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition
Brand Name:Xbox; Video game region: region free; Display Platform: PS5
$89.97
Rank #4
PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition
  • Brand Name:Xbox
  • Video game region: region free
  • Display Platform: PS5
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Which order should you use?

  • Starting with the series: use release order if you want to see how the games changed over time.
  • Following the Slayer story: use the six-game story order above, with The Dark Ages before DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal.
  • Playing everything notable: add DOOM VFR and investigate mobile releases separately; decide whether to include expansions, ports, or re-releases based on your definition of “all.”

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.

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