For the five numbered single-player games, play The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994), The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996), The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), then The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). This is the mainline release order, not a complete timeline of every online, mobile, or spin-off game.
The five numbered Elder Scrolls games in release order
| Order | Game | Original release year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Elder Scrolls: Arena | 1994 |
| 2 | The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall | 1996 |
| 3 | The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind | 2002 |
| 4 | The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | 2006 |
| 5 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 2011 |
Bethesda describes Arena as the saga’s first chapter and identifies its 1994 release; its official series materials also identify Daggerfall (1996). Bethesda’s Anthology describes a collection covering all five numbered PC games, from Arena through Skyrim Legendary Edition. The years for Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim are their commonly cited original launch years; the listed years do not establish a platform-by-platform release sequence.
Does release order matter for understanding the stories?
Release order tells you when the games came out; it is not a required playthrough order for one continuous plot. The five games form the numbered single-player sequence, but the available official sources do not establish that you must finish earlier entries to understand later ones. Choose release order if you want to follow the series’ development over time; starting with a later game is a separate choice, not a break in a required story sequence.
Where do Online, spin-offs, and Oblivion Remastered fit?
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online is a distinct online series entry, not one of the five numbered single-player games. It therefore sits outside the list above. A franchise-wide release timeline would need to define whether it includes online releases, expansions, mobile titles, and re-releases.
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- Blackwood is the ultimate Elder Scrolls experience and includes the Base Game and all Chapters
- Blackwood (New for 2021)
- Greymoor, Elsweyr, Summerset, Morrowind
- Nagahide Welwa Ravager Mount
- Dremora Kynreeve Outfit
Mobile and other spin-offs
Legends, Blades, and Castles are spin-offs rather than numbered entries. Bethesda’s current series listings include Online, Castles, and Oblivion Remastered, but they do not provide a complete dated catalogue of every related title and expansion. This guide does not assign those spin-offs positions in a full franchise chronology.
Oblivion Remastered
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a remastered edition of Oblivion, not a sixth numbered game. Play it in Oblivion’s place in the sequence if you want that entry in its remastered form; it does not change the order of the five numbered games.
Rank #2
- ENTER THE WORLD OF SKYRIM: Experience the legendary open-world RPG as a tabletop adventure, exploring Tamriel through branching quests, iconic factions, and rich Elder Scrolls lore.
- COOPERATIVE OR SOLO PLAY: Designed for 1–4 players, allowing you to adventure solo or team up to face dragons, uncover conspiracies, and shape the fate of Skyrim together.
- OPEN-ENDED QUEST SYSTEM: Choose how you approach each mission—diplomacy, stealth, or combat—as your decisions permanently impact the story and the world around you.
- DEEP CHARACTER PROGRESSION: Build unique heroes with evolving skills, gear, and abilities inspired by the video game’s iconic progression systems.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Modular scenarios, multiple quest paths, and varied character builds ensure every campaign feels fresh and every journey through Skyrim is different.
Accessing the older games
Bethesda Support says Arena and Daggerfall are available as digital downloads through Bethesda and are also included on physical discs in The Elder Scrolls Anthology. Bethesda’s support information says the Anthology key redeems Skyrim Legendary Edition, Morrowind: Game of the Year, and Oblivion: Game of the Year on Steam. Bethesda describes the Anthology as a collectible PC box set containing the five numbered PC games and official add-ons. Those pages document the collection and its stated access details, not current stock or a guarantee that a particular key will still redeem; check current availability, compatibility, and seller terms before buying.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- ANNIVERSARY EDITION CONTENT — Includes the base game, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, Dragonborn, and hundreds of Creation Club items such as quests, weapons, armor, spells, and dungeons.
- SWITCH 2 ENHANCEMENTS — Explore Skyrim with updated visuals, improved load times, and optimized performance for Nintendo Switch 2.
- SHAPE YOUR ADVENTURE — Choose your character and decide how to play in an open world that responds to your actions.
- BUILD YOUR CHARACTER — Choose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities to define your play style.
- BATTLE DRAGONS — Face ancient dragons as the Dragonborn, learn their secrets, and harness their power.
Rank #3
- The Elder Scrolls Online collection: Blackwood is the ultimate Elder Scrolls experience and includes the base game, new Blackwood chapter, and all previous chapters.
- Create your ultimate RPG character, play solo or adventure with friends, and determine your fate in an ever-expanding world. With no level restrictions, go anywhere, at any time in a truly open world. In the Elder Scrolls Online, the choice is yours.
- Begin your adventure where you like: emerge from Coldharbour in the Base Game, battle Dragons in the Elsweyr Chapter, or get ready to face the Prince of Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon, in Blackwood, the latest Chapter.
- As part of the Gates of Oblivion adventure, a deal made with the Prince of Destruction comes due in Blackwood. Explore Imperial cities and murky bogs, uncover Mehrunes Dagon's sinister plot, and never adventure alone with the new Companions System.
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