All Fallout Games in Order – Games Ranked By Release and Timeline

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The Fallout series, which kicked off in 1997 with Interplay’s ground‑breaking RPG, has snagged more than its fair share of “Game of the Year” and “Best RPG” trophies. It’s loved for mixing rich storytelling, dark humour, and open‑world freedom with that quirky retro‑futuristic look. With branching narratives and choices that actually matter, plus satirical digs at society, Fallout’s post‑apocalyptic playground keeps a loyal global following clamouring for more. After the Fallout TV series sparked a massive spike in game engagement across the franchise, there’s renewed interest among many to venture into its Wasteland. Here’s a thorough look at the Fallout games in order of release, covering the main series and a few spin-offs too.

You’ll see a list of games from the original 2D RPG up to the online prequel, then short summaries with each release year, developer, platforms, and why they matter. We also touch on the franchise’s real-world timeline from 1997 through 2018, so you can see how Fallout grew from isometric vault-crawling to open-world survival.

Fallout Games in Order

Below is a quick list of Fallout games as they came out, from the first PC classic to the latest multiplayer entry

• Fallout (1997)
• Fallout 2 (1998)
• Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001)
• Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004)
• Fallout 3 (2008)
• Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
• Fallout 4 (2015)
• Fallout Shelter (2015)
• Fallout Pinball (2016)
• Fallout 76 (2018)

This list shows the series’ evolution from its isometric roots to vast open worlds and even online co-op.

If you are interested in playing the games in chronological order according to their in-universe timeline, the order is as follows. This includes the main entries only.

• Fallout 76 (set in 2102)
• Fallout (set in 2161)
• Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (set between Fallout and Fallout 2)
• Fallout 2 (set in 2241)
• Fallout 3 (set in 2277)
• Fallout: New Vegas (set in 2281)
• Fallout 4 (set in 2287)

Below, each title’s dropped into context wth DLCs.

Fallout Games in Order: Detailed Breakdown

Fallout (1997)

Launched October 10, 1997, on PC by Black Isle Studios, this first game threw you into the radioactive ruins of Southern California. With turn-based combat, branching storylines, and that trademark dark humour, it set up the SPECIAL stats, Karma system, and retro-futuristic look the series is known for.

Review: It remained a genre-defining RPG praised for its open-ended storytelling, grim humour and tactical fights. Its rich world-building and player choice set a gold standard for post-apocalyptic games.

Fallout 2 (1998)

Dropped October 29, 1998, Fallout 2 picked up where the original left off, following the Vault Dweller’s grandkid across an even larger Wasteland. Again, from Black Isle Studios, it kept the isometric RPG style but added deeper quests, more factions, and an even darker sense of humour. Set in 2241, it naturally slots right after the first game.

Review: Expanded scope with a bigger map, more nuanced role-playing, and quests. Some balance hiccups, but its writing and replay value earned it critical love.

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001)

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel launched on March 15, 2001 for Windows, shifting the series toward squad-based tactics rather than traditional RPG elements. Developed by Micro Forté and published by 14 Degrees East, this spin-off focused on strategic combat scenarios and introduced multiplayer modes. It’s often overlooked but remains notable for its emphasis on Brotherhood lore and battlefield tactics, fitting into Fallout games in order of release as the third major title.

Review: This spin-off’s shifts focus to squad-based strategy earned praise for its combat mechanics and tactical variety. However, the lack of role-playing depth disappointed longtime fans.

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004)

June 2004 saw the release of Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel on PlayStation 2 and Xbox. This time, Interplay Entertainment tried their hand at an action-RPG version of Fallout. Real-time combat replaced turn-based mechanics, and the story was more straightforward. Unlike Fallout Tactics, this game wasn’t connected to it, even if they both used the Brotherhood name. It ended up being the fourth release in the whole Fallout timeline.

Review: Made for console folks, this one focused more on hack-and-slash action. Critics weren’t too impressed. Many called the gameplay shallow and the story forgettable. A lot of fans call it the weakest Fallout game to this day.

Fallout 3 (2008)

Bethesda rebooted everything with Fallout 3, which dropped on October 28, 2008 for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. This was a big jump; the series became a 3D open-world RPG with first- and third-person view options. The game also introduced the iconic V.A.T.S. system that mixes turn-based targeting with real-time combat. Set in the ruins of Washington, D.C., known here as the Capital Wasteland, Fallout 3 brought the franchise back in a big way and showed new players the dark aftermath of nuclear war.

Review: Fallout 3 switched things up completely, turning the series into an immersive first-person RPG. Its exploration, atmosphere, and that V.A.T.S. combat made it a standout. Some old-school fans weren’t thrilled by the shift in tone, but overall it was a huge success.

Fallout 3 DLCs:

• Operation Anchorage (2009)
• The Pitt (2009)
• Broken Steel (2009)
• Point Lookout (2009)
• Mothership Zeta (2009)

Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

Fallout: New Vegas was made by Obsidian Entertainment and came out on October 19, 2010, on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. It wasn’t called Fallout 4, but lots of players see it as the spiritual follow-up to Fallout 2. Set in the Mojave Desert, it focuses on a power struggle between the NCR, Caesar’s Legion, and Mr. House, all while giving players tons of freedom. With deep faction systems, multiple endings, and lots of tough choices, it became one of the strongest entries.

Review: New Vegas brought back heavy RPG elements, with deep storytelling, political tension, and choice-driven gameplay. It had some bugs at launch, sure, but it’s still seen by many as the best Fallout game around.

Fallout: New Vegas DLCs:

• Dead Money (2010)
• Honest Hearts (2011)
• Old World Blues (2011)
• Lonesome Road (2011)

Fallout 4 (2015)

Fallout 4 came out on November 10, 2015, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and was made by Bethesda Game Studios. It brought settlement building, a voiced protagonist, and a bigger crafting system. Set in the Commonwealth around Boston, it dug deeper into synths and the Institute while tweaking combat and exploration. In the list of Fallout games in order, this entry was a big technical and gameplay leap. Fallout 4 also got its Next-Gen Update very recently.

Review: With sharper gunplay, lots of crafting options, and a detailed world, Fallout 4 got mostly good reviews. Critics did mention the main story felt weaker, but the gameplay systems and exploration kept many fans playing.

Fallout 4 DLCs:

• Automatron (2016)
• Far Harbor (2016)
• Vault-Tec Workshop (2016)
• Nuka-World (2016)

Fallout Shelter (2015)

On June 14, 2015, Bethesda dropped Fallout Shelter, a free‑to‑play vault management sim for iOS and later Android, PC, and consoles. Players look after vault dwellers, build rooms, and fend off Wasteland threats. Even as a spin‑off, its popularity and constant updates make it a key part of the Fallout games in chronological order.

Review: A surprise mobile hit, Fallout Shelter won players over with its vault‑management gameplay and cheeky tone. Its simple yet addictive design earned strong reviews and lasting appeal.

Fallout Pinball (2016)

Made by Zen Studios and released in February 2016, Fallout Pinball put the series’ style on a virtual pinball table across PC, consoles, and mobile. Though a smaller spin‑off, it used familiar characters, music, and lore in an arcade format, earning its spot in all Fallout games in order as a quirky side entry.

Review: Fallout Pinball smartly turned the franchise’s visuals and soundtrack into an addictive pinball game. Short though it is, its faithful theme and tight mechanics made it a fun diversion for fans.

Fallout 76 (2018)

The latest in the Fallout games in order of release, Fallout 76 hit on November 14, 2018, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One and crossed 20 million total players. Made by Bethesda Game Studios, it’s an online multiplayer prequel set in Appalachia (West Virginia) in 2102, 25 years after the bombs dropped. Despite a shaky launch, updates have since added quests, events, and NPCs, turning it into a cooperative Wasteland experience.

Review: Fallout 76 launched with big technical problems and missing core RPG features, so initial reception was poor. Later patches improved things, but it still divides the fanbase. Bethesda’s Todd Howard had also confirmed that Fallout 76 has content planned out for ‘several years’ ahead.

The Fallout games in order list gives you a clear picture of how the franchise grew from its 1997 RPG roots through tactical spin‑offs and into the modern multiplayer game it is today. With the Fallout TV series breathing fresh life into the franchise and Fallout 4’s next-gen update drawing players back to the Commonwealth, it’s clear the Wasteland’s not done with us yet. Whether you’re diving in for the first time or replaying with mods for the hundredth, the Fallout universe keeps evolving – dusty, dangerous, and still oddly charming.

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