Navigating post-apocalyptic worlds filled with bitter satire, weapon variety, and deep customization never gets old. Since the first title was released in 1997, Fallout is one of the most popular RPG franchises. Here is our ranked list of every entry in the Fallout series, ranked.
While there has been no new entry in the series since Fallout 76 (2018), a fifth core title has been confirmed. In addition, the new Fallout TV show has renewed interest in the franchise, and players have been rushing back to enjoy the games.
8. Fallout 76
| Initial Release | November 14, 2018 |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox One – PlayStation 4 |
This is the first multiplayer-focused Fallout game to be released. It was a major risk for Bethesda and had an extremely poor launch. Even with the inspiring setting of West Virginia, the open wilderness left little to the imagination, and the lack of story content at launch was astounding in comparison to previous entries. You could not even speak to NPCs for a time. The game also had bad technical problems.
Fortunately, Fallout 76 has improved substantially since this time, with numerous updates and expansions adding tons of content over time. The performance has gotten better over the years, although mileage may vary.
7. Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
| Initial Release | March 15, 2001 |
| Developer | Micro Forte |
| Platform(s) | – PC |
This turn-based tactical RPG is a highly appreciated deviation from the traditional games that expand the world of the wastelands with a different flavor of play. In addition, it does not follow the story of previous games, so it’s truly a path of its own, but with a decent tale to offer. It presents you with multiple approaches to challenges to make for an overall engaging experience.
6. Fallout Shelter
| Initial Release | June 14, 2015 |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Platform(s) | – PC – iOS – Android – Xbox One – PlayStation 4 – Nintendo Switch |
If you have ever had aspirations for being an Overseer, the spin-off Fallout Shelter is an exceptional free-to-play management sim that keeps fans hooked with its incredible sense of progression. It rarely tries to make you spend real-world money and is also very generous with in-game currency.
You can kind of think of it as the Sims. Create your own vault then look after the dwellers by building it up to improve quality of life. Originally created for mobile before arriving on PC and console, its incredibly addictive mechanics make it both approachable and fun to any gamer.
Although it is far smaller in scale, it deserves a place on the list for being incredibly charming, featuring trademark animations and style.
5. Fallout
| Initial Release | October 10, 1997 |
| Developer | Interplay Productions |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – MS-DOS |
The game that started it all, Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game introduced fans to the series. At the time, it was truly a sight to behold. Yet, today, it isn’t nearly as approachable due to its dated controls and confusing interface.
However, with the help of mods, you can get past that and enjoy a great time. It offers both comedic and serious writing with tons of memorable characters and outstanding world-building.
4. Fallout 2
| Initial Release | October 29, 1998 |
| Developer | Black Isle Studios |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac |
Fallout 2 is much larger than its predecessor, despite being released only a year after the original. It offers the same clunky gameplay systems and isometric perspective but has lots of locations, characters, factions, random encounters, and quests to meet and play through.
3. Fallout 3
| Initial Release | October 28, 2008 |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox 360 – PlayStation 3 |
Fallout 3 is the first title that Bethesda created for the franchise after acquiring the rights to it, and it introduces the V.A.T.S. targeting system that has been in every game since. It takes place in Washington D.C. and tasks you with rediscovering your father after he disappears from the Vault. Factions from the first two titles including the Enclave and Brotherhood of Steel have major appearances, and the events that unfold directly influence the narrative of the sequel, Fallout 4.
- Read more: Fallout 3 – Cheats & Unlockables
This game heavily emphasizes the concept of scarcity, forcing you to be extremely conservative with your resources and ammo, constantly scavenging for things to acquire for personal use and to sell. It takes it to an extreme, so much so that many will find themselves relying on console commands to beat it.
2. Fallout 4
| Initial Release | October 10, 1997 |
| Developer | Interplay Productions |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – MS-DOS |
Fallout 4 is the latest single-player entry, and it takes place in Massachusetts. In comparison to other titles, it is the most approachable for modern audiences and has the best build variety, gunplay, and graphics the series has seen to date. It also is the only one to spot the favorite settlement base-building system that would eventually be adapted into Fallout 76‘s C.A.M.P. mechanic. It offers a great platform for community mods as well.
- Read more: Fallout 4 – Cheats & Unlockables
Still, it has underwhelming roleplaying mechanics and dialogue options. With great combat systems and customizable weapons, you can enjoy it purely for its stellar gameplay instead of the story.
1. Fallout: New Vegas
| Initial Release | October 19, 2010 |
| Developer | Obsidian Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox 360 – PlayStation 3 |
Everyone universally praises Fallout: New Vegas as the best in the post-apocalyptic series library. The only title to be made by developer Obsidian Entertainment, it has unprecedented branching quest paths and stories packed into a dense, rich open world with unique characters and groups. It also heavily improves the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor with superior dialogue and writing on top.
From the start, you determine the outcome of the situation. While traversing New Vegas, you will experience a gripping main storyline surrounding the three great powers of Mr. House, Caesar’s Legion, and the New California Republic (NCR). These powers set out to control the Mojave Wasteland.
- Read more: Fallout: New Vegas – Cheats & Unlockables
This game’s only true gaping issue is the notorious crashes and bugs, but these problems can be solved with bugfix and stability mods released by community members over the years. The process is far simpler than you may expect.
