All Fallout games in release order

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Fallout is a series of post-apocalyptic RPG games, best known for their rich storytelling, dark humour, and distinctive 1950s-inspired retro-futuristic aesthetic. Set in a world ravaged by nuclear war, the series is famous for its branching narratives, focus on player choice, and turn-based or real-time combat systems. Everyone knows about the series’ staples, like the Vaults, Ghouls, Pip-Boy, mutated creatures, and factions like the Brotherhood of Steel and the New California Republic. Starting all the way back in 1997, the Fallout franchise has left an enduring legacy in gaming, combining rich world-building with thought-provoking social commentary. The mainline games and their spin-offs build upon these foundations, sometimes with new mechanics and settings. There are four main games in the series, with five distinct spin-offs, and we’ll list them all in release order with this article.

Fallout (1997)

The cover image for the game Fallout.
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Developer: Interplay Productions
  • Publisher: Interplay Productions

Released October 10, 1997, Fallout (also known at the time as Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game) is a post-apocalyptic RPG game set in a devastated Southern California in the year 2161. Players control the Vault Dweller, a survivor from Vault 13, who embarks on a mission to find a replacement water chip for their shelter. Along the way, they encounter dangerous mutants led by the sinister entity known as the Master, whose plans threaten the future of humanity. Initially stemming from the GURPS tabletop system, the game’s RPG rules had to be redesigned into the all-new S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system that we know today. With its unique blend of dark humour, meaningful character choices, turn-based combat, and epic, if grim, narrative, Fallout captured the eerie atmosphere of a retro-futuristic world devastated by nuclear war and received critical acclaim that started the series.

Fallout 2 (1998)

Cover image for the game Fallout 2.
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Developer: Black Isle Studios
  • Publisher: Interplay Productions

The sequel, Fallout 2, was released for PC on October 29, 1998, and later for Mac on August 23, 2002. It improves on its predecessor with an upgraded engine and new features, including the ability to influence NPC party members’ attitudes. Set 80 years after the first game, players control the Chosen One, a descendant of the original Vault Dweller, on a quest to save their village, Arroyo, from famine and drought. Afterwards, the Chosen One must confront the Enclave, a sinister remnant of the pre-war U.S. government. Packed with pop culture references, fourth-wall-breaking humour, and a deep, branching narrative, Fallout 2 further expanded on the franchise’s iconic dark, satirical tone. The game was considered a success, though not to the same level as the first one. Nonetheless, Fallout 2 is regarded as a cult classic.

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Fallout Tactics (2001)

The cover image for the game Fallout Tactics.
  • Platforms: PC
  • Developer: Micro Forte
  • Publisher: 14 Degrees East, Bethesda Softworks

The first spin-off game, Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel was released on March 15, 2001, in the US, and on March 30, 2001, in Europe. The game shifts focus from traditional role-playing to tactical combat, introducing real-time and turn-based combat options. Unlike previous games, it allows players to customize their squad’s skills, perks, and combat actions but lacks dialogue choices. Set in the Midwest, the game follows the Brotherhood of Steel as they battle various factions and threats, offering a tactical, strategy-heavy experience. While its story received criticism for not aligning with the lore of earlier titles, Fallout Tactics earned positive reviews for its innovative gameplay and multiplayer mode, allowing players to compete against each other’s squads.

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel (2004)

The cover image for the game Fallout Brotherhood of Steel.
  • Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox
  • Developer: Interplay Entertainment
  • Publisher: Interplay Entertainment

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel was released on January 13, 2004, in the US, and April 2, 2004, in Europe. It’s the first Fallout game to hit consoles, marking a significant departure from the series’ traditional PC platform. Players control a Brotherhood initiate sent on a dangerous mission to find missing Paladins. This action role-playing game focuses on combat rather than the deep role-playing elements of earlier titles and lacks NPC companions. Notably, the game’s soundtrack features heavy metal music from bands like Slipknot and Killswitch Engage, a stark contrast to the 1940s-style music from the previous entries. In addition, Brotherhood of Steel is the last Fallout title developed by Interplay, before the franchise was taken over by Bethesda.


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Fallout 3 (2008)

The cover image for the game Fallout 3.
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
  • Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Fallout 3, the first game in the series developed by Bethesda Game Studios, was released on October 28, 2008. The story takes place 30 years after Fallout 2, in a world devastated by nuclear war. Players control the Lone Wanderer, a Vault 101 dweller who flees the vault after their father mysteriously disappears. Venturing into the Capital Wasteland, around Washington, D.C., the Lone Wanderer searches for their father while navigating a harsh, irradiated world. Unlike previous titles, Fallout 3 features 3D graphics, a vast open world, and real-time combat, marking a shift from the series’ traditional isometric perspective and turn-based gameplay. The game has won a slew of awards and received praise from all corners, though many fans of the classic Fallout titles lamented the shifts in gameplay.

Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

The cover image for the game Fallout New Vegas.
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
  • Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

A self-contained spin-off game, Fallout: New Vegas, was released on October 19, 2010. The story takes place four years after Fallout 3 and is set in the Mojave Wasteland. The game follows the story of the Courier, who is shot in the head and left for dead before being saved by a doctor from the town of Goodsprings. The Courier embarks on a quest to find their would-be murderer, all while navigating the power struggles of factions vying for control of the region. Featuring an open world, a branching narrative with an uncompromising story, and deep role-playing elements, New Vegas became one of the most beloved entries into the Fallout series.

Fallout Shelter (2015)

The cover image for the game Fallout Shelter.
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
  • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
  • Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Fallout Shelter was released on June 14, 2015, in anticipation of the release of Fallout 4. Taking a vastly different route from previous games, Shelter is a simulation game where players take on the role of Overseer. You’re tasked with managing a Vault and its dwellers in the post-apocalyptic world. You can build and expand the Vault, assign dwellers to various tasks, and send them on scouting missions into the Wasteland while defending against attacks. The game has no set ending, focusing instead on survival and resource management. As a primarily mobile game, it features microtransactions with which players can purchase premium items like Nuka-Cola Quantum, lunchboxes, and pets to enhance their dwellers’ abilities. A sequel, Fallout Shelter Online, was released exclusively in China in 2019. It expands on this formula with new features, additional gameplay elements, and online multiplayer aspects including PVP.

Fallout 4 (2015)

The cover image for the game Fallout 4.
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
  • Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Fallout 4 was released on November 10, 2015. As before, the game is set in the post-apocalyptic US, this time in New England Commonwealth, specifically the ruins of Boston, Massachusetts, in 2287. Players control the Sole Survivor, who emerges from Vault 111 after 210 years in suspended animation, seeking to find their kidnapped son. The game introduces voiced protagonists, a first for the series, and features an open-world environment with deep exploration, and even crafting and settlement-building mechanics. It was the first game with full mod support, as well as several published DLCs. Fallout 4 was praised for its vast world, engaging story, and dynamic gameplay, though some criticized its technical issues, lore breaks, and limited RPG depth. A virtual reality version was released in 2017 for Steam VR.

Fallout 76 (2018)

The cover image for the game Fallout 76.
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
  • Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

The first multiplayer installment in the main Fallout universe, Fallout 76 was released on November 14, 2018. Set in West Virginia, the game features a world filled with enemies inspired by regional folklore. Initially, the game lacked human NPCs, but the Wastelanders update added NPCs and dialogue options. Players explore the open world, gather resources, and collaborate with other players to survive in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The game received mixed reviews upon launch due to technical issues and lack of content, but updates over time, including new quests and features, have improved its reception, earning more positive feedback from players.

About the Author

Miljan Truc

Miljan has been into gaming since the days of Sega Mega Drive and Amiga. During his gaming career, he has raided at a high level, coached other players, and written about games since 2016.