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To say the Fallout universe goes deeper than any of Vault-Tec’s shelters would be an understatement. There are so many games right now for players to try that keeping up with every single one can be challenging. While many focus on the most modern titles due to the quality-of-life features and better graphics, previous entries are equally good. But gameplay aside, those lore fanatics trying to learn the ins and outs of the Great War, what occurred before and after it, and the story of the wasteland might want to take a look at the chronological order of all Fallout games.
Fallout Games in Chronological Order – 2024 Edition
(Updated on April 25, 2024. Added the most recent games to the list).
As a quick disclaimer, we’ll be focusing only on the mainline games. Games such as Fallout Shelter are out of the list because they don’t really provide a lot of lore to the series. As a general recommendation, if you stick to these titles, you’ll learn most of the universe’s story and information without having to search into smaller and not-so-famous installments. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
6. Fallout 76 (2102 – 2104)
While one could argue the first Fallout game in chronological order is the fourth mainline entry due to the prologue, we didn’t take it as such, as you spend five minutes in that section. However, the earliest title in this universe is Fallout 76. This game saw a bunch of Vault Dwellers brave the nuclear-riddled lands of Appalachia on Reclamation Day with the mission to colonize the said area. After the Wastelanders update, the game offered a lot of lore options that explain many of the things people can see in other entries of the series.
5. Fallout (2161)
Many decades later, the events of Fallout take place, which is the first game ever released. While it was rough around the edges in many ways, it gave players the first glimpse at this post-apocalyptic world. In it, the Vault Dweller had to recover a chip that would provide Vault 13 with a stable and purified source of water. Here, we learn about the Forced Evolutionary Virus, Super Mutants, and other key aspects of the series.
4. Fallout 2 (2241)
The next game in chronological order is Fallout 2. The sequel truly feels like one because the protagonist is a descendant of the first game’s Vault Dweller. You begin in Arroyo instead of being inside a Vault. Your character needs to find the G.E.C.K (Garden of Eden Creation Kit) to save your town. In it, we meet a fan-favorite faction, the NCR and the Enclave, a group comprised of former U.S. government officials. While it was rough to play this game, it had a lot of fantastic lore for any fan.
3. Fallout 3 (2277)
Exactly two hundred years after the Great War, we reach one of the best and, at that time, biggest Fallout games. The third installment puts on in the jumpsuit of a new Vault Dweller who hails from Vault 101. Players visit the lands of Washington D.C. while they search for their father, who wants to create Project Purity, something capable of purifying the water in this land. The highlights of this game were the depth of its karma system, new and improved combat, companions, and more.
2. Fallout: New Vegas (2281)
With Fallout: New Vegas, most modern installments stopped taking a lot of time leaps between each entry. This game takes place four years after Fallout 3, and its setting is the Mojave Desert. In it, the player takes the role of the Courier, a character bent on seeking the man who almost ended their life. While it was initially seen as a spin-off, the recent reveals of the Fallout live-action series claim this game is canon.
1. Fallout 4 (2287)
Fallout 4 takes place six years after New Vegas and is the last in chronological order. As the sole survivor of Vault 111, you must seek for your son in the lands of Boston. The biggest addition to this game was the Institute and its Synths, which add fantastic narrative moments to the title. Furthermore, it is one of the best-looking Fallout games, and it got a next-gen update on April 25, 2024.
All Games in Release Order
Before we finish, we’d also like to make a quick list of the release order for all Fallout games. Remember, this is a list showcasing when they launched to the public originally and doesn’t have anything to do with the story or chronology.
- Fallout (1997)
- Fallout (1998)
- Fallout 3 (2008)
- Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
- Fallout 4 (2015)
- Fallout 76 (2018)
If you want to start playing the series, I recommend trying the entry that sounds more appealing to you. Most games have self-contained stories and you shouldn’t worry about skipping a few. However, I feel Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 are great starting points for any new fan.
