GameTimeline

Release & story order

Baldur's Gate games timeline

BioWare and Larian’s Baldur’s Gate from the December 21, 1998 original through Baldur’s Gate 3 (August 3, 2023)—US release dates, Sword Coast story order, why Enhanced Editions are the practical modern buy (same campaigns, not extra titles on this list), and how Siege of Dragonspear and Throne of Bhaal sit as expansions. Neighbor CRPG shelves: Dragon Age, Trails, Persona, Final Fantasy, and Mass Effect.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each mainline Baldur’s Gate RPG shipped in the US—Baldur’s Gate (December 21, 1998), Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (September 21, 2000), and Baldur’s Gate 3 (August 3, 2023 on Windows). Enhanced Editions retell BG1 and BG2 for modern platforms—they are the practical 2026 purchase, not fourth and fifth titles on this list. Siege of Dragonspear and Throne of Bhaal stay expansion FAQ notes.

  • Play path → Baldur’s Gate → Baldur’s Gate II → Baldur’s Gate 3
  • Buy today → Enhanced Editions for BG1/BG2, then BG3 on your platform
  • Siege of Dragonspear → optional bridge expansion between BG1 and BG2
  • Dark Alliance → optional spin-off action games, not required CRPGs
Story order tips

Bhaalspawn path: Baldur’s Gate → Baldur’s Gate II (including Throne of Bhaal as the BG2 finale expansion) → Baldur’s Gate 3 generations later. Release order and story order match for the three mainline games; BG3 hands off to new protagonists rather than requiring a BG2 save import.

  • Core fiction: BG1 → BG2 (finish with Throne of Bhaal) → BG3
  • Companions and choices define each campaign—expect long party RPGs
  • BG3 does not require importing a BG2 save; lore echoes help
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Baldur's Gate

    Baldur's Gate

    PCCRPGMainline

    Baldur’s Gate (December 21, 1998) is BioWare’s Infinity Engine classic—create a Bhaalspawn, recruit companions across the Sword Coast, and uncover a conspiracy that invents the series’ party-RPG grammar. Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition (2012) is the practical 2026 buy: same campaign plus quality-of-life and Beamdog extras, not a second title on this list.

    Overview
    Real-time-with-pause D&D adventuring with memorable companions, moral gray choices, and a Forgotten Realms sandbox that defined Western CRPGs for a generation.
    In-game setting
    Series opener. Story slot is the original Bhaalspawn crisis. Next mainline game is Baldur’s Gate II. CRPG neighbors: Dragon Age and Trails.
    Should you play it?
    Required first for the classic saga. Play before Baldur’s Gate II. Party-RPG neighbor: Persona.
    Release date
    US Windows December 21, 1998 (Black Isle / Interplay). Prefer Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition on modern PC and consoles—includes Tales of the Sword Coast content in the EE package.
  2. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

    Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

    PCCRPGMainline

    Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (September 21, 2000) continues the same protagonist into Amn—stronger companions, sprawling side quests, and a romance-heavy CRPG peak. Finish the saga with the Throne of Bhaal expansion (June 22, 2001); EE bundles make that the natural end of this chapter. Not a separate release-order title from Shadows itself.

    Overview
    Expands Infinity Engine storytelling into city intrigue, stronghold quests, and companion epics that many fans still call the genre’s high-water mark.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel after Baldur’s Gate. Story continues the same Bhaalspawn. Next mainline numbered game is Baldur’s Gate 3—decades later in fiction and real life. Epic JRPG-scale neighbor: Final Fantasy.
    Should you play it?
    Requires Baldur’s Gate first for the intended character arc. Complete Throne of Bhaal before treating the classic saga as finished.
    Release date
    US Windows September 21, 2000. Prefer Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, which includes Throne of Bhaal. Siege of Dragonspear (2016) is an EE bridge expansion after BG1—see FAQ.
  3. Baldur's Gate 3

    Baldur's Gate 3

    PCPS5Xbox SeriesmacOSCRPGMainline

    Baldur’s Gate 3 (August 3, 2023 Windows; PlayStation 5 September 6; Xbox Series December 7) is Larian’s modern D&D 5e CRPG—Illithid tadpoles, companion origin stories, and a fresh party on the Sword Coast generations after the Bhaalspawn saga. Play after BG1–2 for lore echoes; a BG2 save is not required.

    Overview
    Divinity-style systemic reactivity meets fifth-edition D&D: turn-based combat, cinematic companion drama, and unprecedented choice density for a AAA CRPG.
    In-game setting
    Story closer on this page among released mainline games. Assumes Forgotten Realms familiarity; BG1–2 enrich cameos and themes without gating the plot. Squad-RPG neighbor: Mass Effect.
    Should you play it?
    Required modern endpoint. Classic BG1–2 are optional homework if you only want the 2023 phenomenon; recommended if you want the full franchise shelf.
    Release date
    Windows August 3, 2023; PS5 September 6, 2023; macOS September 22, 2023; Xbox Series December 7, 2023. Early access existed earlier—this list uses the full release.

FAQ

Play order, Enhanced Editions, Siege of Dragonspear and Throne of Bhaal, whether BG3 needs BG1–2, Dark Alliance spin-offs, and related pages.

Play order

Baldur’s Gate (1998) → Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) → Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023). That is the mainline path and this page’s recommended order. Release and Story use the same ladder. Buy Enhanced Editions for the first two in 2026.

For these three mainline games, Story matches release order. Play BG1, then BG2 (finish with Throne of Bhaal), then BG3. Enhanced Editions are not separate Story titles—they are modern packages of the same campaigns.

Story & companions

Not required to finish BG3. Larian’s game stands alone with new heroes. Playing BG1–2 first adds lore echoes, companion jokes, and Realms context. This page still recommends the classic path if you want the full franchise shelf.

EE & expansions

Prefer Enhanced Editions. Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition are the practical 2026 versions—widescreen, fixes, and modern storefronts. They are the same stories, not sequels. Do not list EE as extra games on this timeline.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.