Which Bethesda franchise is your favorite?
Bethesda is a leading game developer and publisher known for creating some of the most iconic and beloved franchises in gaming history. From the sprawling open worlds of The Elder Scrolls to the post-apocalyptic adventures of Fallout, Bethesda has a diverse library of games that have captivated millions of players around the world.
How Many Bethesda Games Are There?
Bethesda has released over 115 games across nearly four decades, with its first release, Gridiron!, hitting shelves in 1986 and its latest, Starfield, launching in 2023. This list covers all of these games, excluding DLCs and remasters, but including standalone expansions.
All Bethesda Games in Order of Release
Gridiron! – 1986
Developed by Bethesda’s in-house team, Gridiron is a tactical football simulator. Players manage a team and develop strategies to defeat their opponents.
Wayne Gretzky Hockey – 1988
Bethesda’s second game was another sports simulator, Wayne Gretzky Hockey, which spawned a three-game franchise.
Sword of Sodan – 1988
Originally released by Discovery Software in 1988, Sword of Sodan was ported to Apple by Bethesda in 1993. Players choose either Brodan or his sister, Sharden, to battle enemies on their quest to kill the evil necromancer, Loras.
Dragon’s Lair: Escape from Singe’s Castle – 1987
Bethesda worked on the IBM-PC release of Dragon’s Lair: Escape from Singe’s Castle, a fantasy action game set across eight stages. Players control Dirk the Daring, searching for a mythical pot of gold in the titular dragon’s lair.
Vortex – 1989
Bethesda Game Studios’ third release, Vortex, tasked players with battling enemies inside a colorful vortex.
Hockey League Simulator – 1990
Hockey League Simulator allowed players to create leagues, take over teams, and design their own hockey scenarios. Its success led to a sequel three years later.
Wayne Gretzky Hockey 2 – 1990
Wayne Gretzky Hockey 2 featured updated graphics, new modes, and cooperative play, expanding on the original game’s features.
Damocles – 1990
Published by Bethesda, Damocles is a sci-fi exploration game where players prevent a comet from crashing into the planet Eros.
The Terminator – 1991
Bethesda’s first licensed release, The Terminator, is a sci-fi action-adventure game based on the first film. Players control Kyle Reese, a soldier from the future sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor from the titular Terminator.
Where’s Waldo? – 1991
Based on the picture book of the same name, Where’s Waldo? had players track down the elusive character across eight different stages.
Home Alone – 1991
Bethesda released the NES port of Home Alone, where players control Kevin McCallister as he sets traps for the Wet Bandits.
Wolfenstein 3D – 1992
Initially published by Apogee Software, Wolfenstein 3D was later re-released by Bethesda after the team acquired id Software. Players infiltrate Castle Wolfenstein to find and kill Hitler.
The Terminator 2029 – 1992
The Terminator 2029 takes players to the franchise’s apocalyptic future, where they control a member of John Connor’s resistance group.
Hockey League Simulator 2 -1992
Hockey League Simulator 2 offered updated features and allowed players to play through their simulated leagues with Wayne Gretzky Hockey 3.
Wayne Gretzky Hockey 3 – 1992
Wayne Gretzky Hockey 3 included full compatibility with Hockey League Simulator 2.
NCAA Basketball: Road to the Final Four – 1992
NCAA Basketball: Road to the Final Four was Bethesda’s first entry in the NCAA Basketball franchise, challenging players to face off against top teams.
Doom – 1993
Doom, developed and published by id Software, was re-released by Bethesda after the team acquired id Software in 2009. Players fight demons and explore the underworld as a silent marine.
The Terminator: Rampage – 1993
The Terminator: Rampage took players back to the modern setting, exploring a tech facility filled with Terminators.
NCAA Basketball: Road to the Final Four 2 – 1994
NCAA Basketball: Road to the Final Four 2 included new visuals, enhancements, and modes for the college basketball sim.
Delta V – 1994
Delta V is a cyberpunk flight-based shooter where players pilot a vessel through cyberspace.
The Elder Scrolls: Arena – 1994
The first entry in Bethesda’s beloved Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, had players explore Tamriel and defeat the evil Jagar Tharn. It set the stage for a massive franchise.
Doom 2 – 1994
Doom 2 takes the action from hell to the surface, with players battling the undead to save their planet.
The Terminator: Future Shock – 1995
The Terminator: Future Shock, set in the apocalyptic future, featured fully 3D environments, making it an innovative game for the time.
PBA Bowling – 1995
PBA Bowling offered a heavily customizable experience, allowing players to create leagues and adjust ball weight and lane conditions.
Final Doom – 1996
Final Doom features two new scenarios, with players once again battling the forces of hell.
The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall – 1996
The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall took players to Iliac Bay, where they investigate a matter of urgent importance.
Quake – 1996
Quake is a dimension-hopping shooter where players battle monsters and collect magical runes.
SkyNET – 1996
SkyNET is a sequel to The Terminator: Future Shock that adds multiplayer to the mix.
Doom 64 – 1997
Doom 64, originally released on the Nintendo 64, is the fourth entry in the Doom franchise. Players battle the Mother Demon in hell.
Fallout – 1997
The first entry in the Fallout franchise, Fallout, tells the story of the Vault Dweller, who leaves their shelter to find help for their village.
XCar: Experimental Racing – 1997
XCar: Experimental Racing offered a variety of cars and tracks, with customizable gameplay.
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire – 1997
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire was the first Elder Scrolls spin-off, reimagining the series in a multiplayer setting. Players control a battle mage who faces an army of Daedra.
Quake 2 – 1997
Quake 2 offered a longer story campaign and expanded multiplayer options.
Burnout: Championship Drag Racing – 1998
Burnout: Championship Drag Racing, not to be confused with Criterion Games’ Burnout series, focused on a more simulative drag racing experience.
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard – 1998
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard turned the series into a third-person open-world adventure. Players control Cyrus, a Redguard who searches for his missing sister.
Symbiocom – 1998
Symbiocom is an adventure game set aboard a futuristic space station where players must find a way to escape.
Zero Critical – 1998
Zero Critical is a 2D, story-focused sci-fi adventure game following a corporate agent investigating a murder.
Fallout 2 – 1998
Fallout 2 takes players on a new adventure through the post-apocalyptic world of its predecessor, set 80 years after the original.
Magic and Mayhem – 1998
Magic and Mayhem is a real-time strategy game where players control a powerful wizard and summon allies.
F-16 Aggressor – 1998
F-16 Aggressor allows players to pilot fighter jets and engage in intense dogfights.
NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing – 1999
NIRA Intense Import Drag Racing offered players a drag racing experience with customizable cars.
Protector – 1999
Protector is a 2D side-scrolling shooter where players control a starship to defend mankind from alien forces.
Quake 3: Arena – 1999
Quake 3 focuses entirely on multiplayer, with various game modes and maps.
PBA Bowling 2 – 2000
PBA Bowling 2 offered enhanced features and allowed players to create their own bowling legend.
Gromada – 2000
Gromada is a tank-based shooter set on an alien planet where players explore and battle local fauna and vegetation.
Sea Dogs – 2000
Sea Dogs is a pirate-focused RPG where players explore a world filled with treasure, quests, and ship battles.
PBA Tour Bowling 2001 – 2000
PBA Tour Bowling 2001 offered players a chance to compete against AI opponents or friends.
IHRA Motorsports Drag Racing – 2000
IHRA Motorsports Drag Racing offered customizable cars and fast-paced races.
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel – 2001
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel is a real-time strategy game where players control a squad of Brotherhood of Steel soldiers.
Echelon – 2001
Echelon is a futuristic dogfighting simulator where players control next-generation military planes.
Magic and Mayhem: The Art of Magic – 2001
Magic and Mayhem: The Art of Magic is a sequel to the previous game, where players control wizards and build armies.
IHRA Drag Racing – 2001
IHRA Drag Racing is a sequel to the previous year’s game, offering updated cars, tracks, and features.
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind – 2002
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind embraced a fully 3D world, immersing players in the land of the Dark Elves. It set a new precedent for open-world RPGs.
IHRA Drag Racing 2 – 2002
IHRA Drag Racing 2 enhanced the racing and car optimization elements of previous games.
Pirates of the Caribbean – 2003
Pirates of the Caribbean is a reimagined version of Sea Dogs 2, set in the world of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold – 2003
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold was the first Elder Scrolls game released for mobile devices. Players break free from Stormhold Prison and battle monsters in randomly generated dungeons.
IHRA Drag Racing 2004 – 2003
IHRA Drag Racing 2004 continued to offer fast-paced racing and car customization.
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnguard – 2004
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnguard is a dungeon-crawling spin-off where players protect the town of Dawnguard.
Doom 3 – 2004
Doom 3 is a survival-horror-focused game where players battle demons in a UAC Mars Base.
IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 – 2004
IHRA Professional Drag Racing 2005 offered more customization options and intense drag racing.
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey – 2005
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey is the biggest handheld Elder Scrolls game yet, featuring a story that ties into Elder Scrolls: Arena.
Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships – 2005
Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships immersed players in a horse racing simulation.
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth – 2005
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is a Lovecraftian horror adventure where players explore the town of Innsmouth and battle monsters.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion – 2006
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion took the series to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 generation. Players save Tamriel from Mehrunes Dagon, the God of Destruction.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion (Mobile Port) – 2006
The mobile port of Oblivion featured an isometric view and simplified gameplay.
IHRA Drag Racing: Sportsman Edition – 2006
IHRA Drag Racing: Sportsman Edition was the final entry in the IHRA Drag Racing franchise.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow – 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow is a prequel and sequel to the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl film.
Star Trek: Encounters – 2006
Star Trek: Encounters allowed players to relive scenarios from iconic Star Trek TV shows.
Star Trek: Tactical Assault – 2006
Star Trek: Tactical Assault is a strategy game for PSP and Nintendo DS where players control Star Trek vessels.
Star Trek: Legacy – 2006
Star Trek: Legacy is a real-time strategy game where players control a squadron of ships across three eras of Star Trek history.
Star Trek: Conquest – 2007
Star Trek: Conquest is a civilization game where players conquer the galaxy.
Ducati Moto – 2008
Ducati Moto is a motorcycle racing game for the Nintendo DS, offering various courses.
Fallout 3 – 2008
Fallout 3 reimagined the Fallout franchise as a Bethesda RPG, switching to first-person and real-time gameplay. Players emerge from Vault 101 into the wasteland of Washington D.C.
Speed Zone – 2009
Speed Zone is a sci-fi racing game set in a futuristic world.
Wet – 2009
Wet is a third-person action game where players control Rubi Malone, a mercenary who becomes embroiled in a gang war.
Rogue Warrior – 2009
Rogue Warrior is a third-person shooter starring Mickey Rourke as a foul-mouthed protagonist who infiltrates a North Korean base.
Quake Live – 2010
Quake Live is an updated version of Quake 3: Arena, originally envisioned as a free-to-play version.
Fallout: New Vegas – 2010
Fallout: New Vegas, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, takes players to the Mojave Wasteland, where they seek revenge on the person who tried to kill them.
Brink – 2011
Brink is a multiplayer first-person shooter where two rival teams battle across maps using parkour abilities.
Hunted: The Demon’s Forge – 2011
Hunted: The Demon’s Forge is a co-op-focused action RPG where players control two warriors searching for an ancient artifact.
Rage – 2011
Rage is an apocalyptic first-person shooter set in a desolate wasteland. Players control Nicholas Raine, who emerges from a bunker to investigate the world.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim – 2011
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim takes players to the home of the Nords, where they embark on a journey to stop the dragon god, Alduin.
Dishonored – 2012
Dishonored is a first-person stealth-action game set in a steampunk world where players control Corvo Attano, seeking revenge for the murder of his queen.
The Elder Scrolls Online – 2014
The Elder Scrolls Online is Bethesda’s MMO, allowing players to explore Tamriel online and join various factions.
Wolfenstein: The New Order – 2014
Wolfenstein: The New Order is a reboot of the Wolfenstein franchise, set in a world where the Nazis won WW2. Players control B.J. Blazkowicz, fighting against the Nazis.
The Evil Within – 2014
The Evil Within is a third-person, survival-horror shooter where players control Sebastian Castellanos, investigating a mental institution.
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood – 2015
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood is a prequel and reimagining of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, featuring undead monsters.
Fallout Shelter – 2015
Fallout Shelter is a mobile game where players create their own vault, recruit survivors, build rooms, and explore the wasteland.
Fallout 4 – 2015
Fallout 4 takes players to the ruins of Boston, where they search for their kidnapped son.
Doom – 2016
Doom, a reboot of the classic franchise, puts players in the role of the Doomslayer, battling demons on Mars.
Dishonored 2 – 2016
Dishonored 2 takes place fifteen years after the original, allowing players to choose between Corvo and Emily as they fight against Delilah.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends – 2017
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is a free-to-play collectible card game set in the world of The Elder Scrolls.
Prey – 2017
Prey is a sci-fi immersive sim where players control Morgan Yu, a scientist trapped on a space station infested with alien lifeforms.
Quake Champions – 2017
Quake Champions is a multiplayer-focused Quake game offering online action.
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider – 2017
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider is a standalone expansion following Billie Lurk, who attempts to kill The Outsider.
The Evil Within 2 – 2017
The Evil Within 2 continues Sebastian Castellanos’ story, where he attempts to save his daughter from a simulation.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim VR – 2017
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim VR is a virtual reality port of Skyrim.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus – 2017
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus sees B.J. Blazkowicz return to battle Frau Engel in America.
Fallout 4 VR – 2017
Fallout 4 VR is a virtual reality port of Fallout 4.
Fallout 76 – 2018
Fallout 76 is Bethesda’s online Fallout game, allowing players to explore a huge map and build settlements.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades – 2019
The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a mobile spin-off where players control a Blade and explore Cyrodil.
Rage 2 – 2019
Rage 2 is a zany, colorful open-world shooter where players control Walker and explore the wasteland.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood – 2019
Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a co-op shooter where players control B.J. Blazkowicz’s twin daughters.
Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot – 2019
Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot is a VR-based Wolfenstein game where players control iconic machines.
Doom Eternal – 2020
Doom Eternal takes the Doomslayer to Earth to fight demonic forces. It features a new arsenal, abilities, and demons.
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods, Part One – 2020
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods, Part One is the first episode of a two-part expansion to Doom Eternal, adding new enemies, levels, and difficulty.
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods, Part Two – 2021
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods, Part Two is the second episode of the expansion, culminating in a confrontation with the Dark Lord.
Doom 3 VR – 2021
Doom 3 VR is a virtual reality port of the third mainline Doom game.
Deathloop – 2021
Deathloop is a murder puzzle set on an island trapped in a time loop. Players control Colt Vahn, who must assassinate seven figures before the loop ends.
Ghostwire: Tokyo – 2022
Ghostwire: Tokyo is a horror-action game set in a Tokyo overrun by spirits, where players control Akito Izuki and KK.
Hi-Fi Rush – 2023
Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm-based action game where players control Chai, a boy with a music player heart. The game features beat-based boss battles and platforming.
Mighty Doom – 2023
Mighty Doom is a top-down, run-and-gun roguelite shooter for mobile devices.
Redfall – 2023
Redfall is a co-op, open-world vampire hunting game where players team up to eliminate undead threats.
Starfield – 2023
Starfield is Bethesda Game Studios’ first new IP in over 25 years. Players explore a galaxy and visit thousands of planets.
The Elder Scrolls: Castles – 2023
The Elder Scrolls: Castles is a mobile game where players manage a castle, elect a leader, build a fortress, and make rulings for their citizens.
Upcoming Bethesda Games
Bethesda has three confirmed games expected to launch in the coming years: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, The Elder Scrolls 6, and Fallout 5.
- Machine Games’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – 2024
- The Elder Scrolls 6 – Date TBD
- Fallout 5 – Date TBD
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