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For your first playthrough of the six mainline Splinter Cell games, play them in release order: Splinter Cell, Pandora Tomorrow, Chaos Theory, Double Agent, Conviction, then Blacklist. That follows Sam Fisher’s story from its beginning and lets you see how the series’ approach changes. If you only want to play one, choose Chaos Theory for a strong example of classic stealth and more open-ended level design; choose the 2002 original if starting at the story’s foundation matters most.
What is the best order for a first playthrough?
Use release order. Ubisoft’s 2022 series overview names the original and its five mainline follow-ups in that sequence, making it the clearest way to follow the games’ story and development. Ubisoft does not require players to follow a particular order; this is a practical recommendation for newcomers.
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell (2002)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (2004)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (2005)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent (2006)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction (2010)
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013)
This list covers the six mainline games, not spin-offs or Sam Fisher’s guest appearances in other series.
Which game should you play if you only want one?
Choose Chaos Theory for classic stealth
Chaos Theory is the best one-game starting point if you want to experience the series’ classic stealth style. Ubisoft Toronto has described the original game’s levels as very linear and Chaos Theory as a move toward multi-path design. That makes the third game a useful choice if you want more route flexibility while still playing a classic-era entry. This is a criteria-based recommendation, not an official Ubisoft ranking.
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- Incredible real movement and control - you can even shift Sam's weight when preparing him for a split jump between two walls
- Exciting new moves maximize Sam's lethal fighting skills -- spin out of the shadows and kill silently
- All-new moves and levels - fight in jungles, on rooftops, on top of(and under) a moving train
- Advanced AI makes it harder than ever to get past enemies - if you reveal yourself they'll get reinforcements and put on armor
- Weapons now have secondary functions that can be equipped on the fly - be amazed at the advantage you get from the red dot of the laser sight
Choose the original to begin at the beginning
The 2002 Splinter Cell introduces Sam Fisher and the series’ original stealth premise. Start there if you care most about meeting the story in sequence or seeing the design baseline that later games developed from. Its more linear level design is part of that early-series experience.
How do the six mainline games compare?
| Game | Year | Why a newcomer might play it | Access or feature note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splinter Cell | 2002 | The story’s foundation and the original stealth premise. | Ubisoft’s regional catalog surfaces the original, but listings and platform availability depend on region and can change. |
| Pandora Tomorrow | 2004 | The second mainline game; include it for the complete release-order sequence. | Ubisoft’s catalog surfaces the title; check your region and platform for a current listing. |
| Chaos Theory | 2005 | A strong single-game pick for classic stealth and more multi-path level design. | Ubisoft says its online features, including multiplayer and co-op, are no longer functional. |
| Double Agent | 2006 | The fourth release; Sam Fisher infiltrates a terrorist organization. | The available official information does not establish which platform-generation version to prefer or how the versions differ. |
| Conviction | 2010 | A later story chapter in which Fisher investigates his daughter’s death and uncovers betrayal and a terrorist plot. | Ubisoft lists PC, Xbox 360 and macOS on its product page, and says multiplayer and online features are no longer available. A platform listing does not guarantee current store availability. |
| Blacklist | 2013 | The latest of these six games, with a terrorist-attack premise and a presentation contemporary to its release. | Ubisoft lists PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U. Its product information says online and co-op features are no longer functional; platform listings do not establish current availability. |
How does the series change from game to game?
Stealth and level design
The clearest documented design shift is between the original and Chaos Theory: Ubisoft Toronto contrasts the first game’s linear levels with the later game’s multi-path design. That supports recommending Chaos Theory to players who want more route choice, but it does not establish a precise stealth or action ranking for all six games.
Rank #2
- Includes three great Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell hits, including Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
- Try to unfold the conspiracy that's been digitally remastered in high definition for even more intense thrills and exciting graphics
- Jump into the role of Sam Fisher in all three games as you command an arsenal of weapons, gadgets and moves to protect the country
- Everything from gameplay to cinematic maps, menus and load screens has been visually enhanced to create stunning gameplay
- 3D stereoscope view creates visuals that pop out of the screen with 3D-enabled televisions
Story and action emphasis
Release order preserves the mainline story sequence, from Fisher’s introduction through the later games’ changing circumstances. The evidence here does not support ranking every entry by action intensity, so choose based on the specific story or design features described above rather than assuming a simple progression from stealth to action.
What platforms and online features should you check?
Ubisoft’s product pages give historical platform listings for selected games, not a guarantee that a particular edition is currently sold or playable on every system. Store inventory, regional catalogs and backward compatibility vary. Check the Ubisoft listing for your region and the store or hardware you plan to use before buying; the cited online-service notices also mean you should not count on the affected games’ multiplayer or co-op working today.
Rank #3
- To achieve your mission you'll kill from close-range with your combat knife, shoot with a high-tech rifle, and use radical suppression techniques like the inverted neck break
- Intelligent enemies making your mission more risky as you have to get much, much closer to them
- Completely replayable -- Totally open level design with multi-paths and optional secondary objectives
- Strive for ultimate stealth and rank yourself with the all new post-mission statistics and scoring system
- Extend the game with intense content you can download through Xbox Live
Should you wait for the remake?
Ubisoft announced a remake of the original, led by Ubisoft Toronto and being rebuilt with the Snowdrop engine. The December 2021 announcement did not give a release date, so it is an announced project rather than a playable alternative. A newcomer who wants to play now need not wait for it.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Videogame Console Software XBox 360 Games
Sources
- Ubisoft: Splinter Cell series overview
- Ubisoft News: The History of Splinter Cell
- Ubisoft Store: Splinter Cell catalog
- Ubisoft: Splinter Cell Blacklist
- Ubisoft: Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
- Ubisoft: Splinter Cell Conviction
- Ubisoft Toronto: Celebrating 20 Years of Splinter Cell
- Ubisoft News: Splinter Cell remake announcement
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.
