The Elder Scrolls Series: Main Games Timeline, Where to Start, and Deals

The Elder Scrolls is Bethesda’s flagship fantasy RPG franchise, known for open-ended exploration, deep lore, and the kind of freedom where you can ignore the main quest for 50 hours and still feel like you’re “playing it right.” The series evolved from old-school dungeon-crawling RPG design into a modern open-world template that reshaped the genre, with Skyrim becoming a cultural touchstone and a case study in re-releases, editions, and platform longevity. If you love building a character your way and discovering stories through exploration instead of cutscenes, this is the series that set the standard.

How many The Elder Scrolls games are available?

The Elder Scrolls has five numbered main entries, plus several spin-offs and online titles. For most players, the core experience is the single-player mainline games, with Skyrim and Oblivion drawing the most interest thanks to their modern accessibility and mod communities.

What is the newest The Elder Scrolls game?

The newest major Elder Scrolls release is The Elder Scrolls Online, which continues to receive large expansions and annual updates. For the single-player mainline series, the most recent entry remains The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which continues to be sold in updated editions across modern platforms. The next mainline game, The Elder Scrolls VI, has been announced but does not have a confirmed release date.

What is the oldest The Elder Scrolls game you can still buy?

The oldest Elder Scrolls title that is still commonly available on modern digital storefronts is The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Earlier entries exist, but availability can be more inconsistent depending on the platform and region.

Where should new players start?

Here are the best entry points depending on what you want:

Skyrim (Special Edition or Anniversary Edition): The easiest entry for modern players, with the smoothest onboarding and the most active mod scene.
Oblivion: Great if you want classic Bethesda quest design and a more traditional fantasy vibe.
Morrowind: Best for RPG purists who want deeper systems and don’t mind older presentation.

The Elder Scrolls games in order of release

Mainline entries in release order:

The Elder Scrolls: Arena (1994)
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (1996)
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)

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