GameTimeline

Release & story order

Golden Sun timeline

Golden Sun from the 2001 GBA debut through Dark Dawn (2010)—US release dates, the two-part GBA Weyard saga (play back-to-back), and FAQ for the DS sequel set decades later.

Updated July 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Camelot shipped each chapter—Golden Sun (2001 GBA) and The Lost Age (2003 GBA) as a continuous two-part campaign, then Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (2010 DS) decades later in the same world. Nintendo Switch Online rereleases are FAQ-only—not extra rows.

  • GBA pair → play Golden Sun then The Lost Age back-to-back
  • Dark Dawn → DS sequel—after both GBA games on Story order
  • Newcomers → GBA duo via NSO or cartridge—FAQ
  • No western fourth game as of June 2026—FAQ
Story order tips

One Weyard saga in release order: Golden Sun → The Lost Age → Dark Dawn. The two GBA games are effectively one story split across two cartridges—play them consecutively.

  • Core order: Golden Sun → The Lost Age → Dark Dawn
  • Lost Age continues the same party arc—do not skip
  • Dark Dawn uses new heroes—callbacks to GBA era
  • On Story order, Dark Dawn may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

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

Release order

  1. Golden Sun

    Golden Sun

    GBARPGMainline

    Isaac and the Elemental Stars on Weyard—part one.

    Overview
    Camelot's GBA RPG—Djinn collection, psynergy puzzles, and timed battles.
    In-game setting
    Story opens—ends leading directly into The Lost Age.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately before The Lost Age.
    Release date
    US GBA launch November 11, 2001.
  2. Golden Sun: The Lost Age

    Golden Sun: The Lost Age

    GBARPGMainline

    Felix's party—part two of the GBA saga.

    Overview
    GBA sequel—expanded world, ship travel, and dual-party endgame.
    In-game setting
    Direct continuation—completes the Golden Sun / Lost Age arc.
    Should you play it?
    Essential Story row after Golden Sun.
    Release date
    US launch April 14, 2003.
  3. Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

    Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

    DSRPGMainline

    Matthew and alchemy's return—30 years later.

    Overview
    DS follow-up—3D towns, faster pacing, descendant cast.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline as of June 2026—Story row three.
    Should you play it?
    Spoilers for GBA duo—play them first.
    Release date
    US launch November 29, 2010.

FAQ

Release vs story order, GBA pair, Dark Dawn placement, and where to start.

Release order

Release order and Story order are the same three rows: Golden Sun (2001) → The Lost Age (2003) → Dark Dawn (2010). The franchise has one linear Weyard timeline—no reboot branch like Advance Wars or Paper Mario.

Start with Golden Sun (GBA or Nintendo Switch Online GBA library), then The Lost Age immediately—treat them as one story. Dark Dawn (DS) comes after both for full lore payoff. Dark Dawn alone is possible but loses GBA context—FAQ.

Story & canon

Two cartridges, one continuous saga. Golden Sun ends on a cliffhanger that The Lost Age resolves—different lead parties but the same world crisis. On Story order, play them back-to-back without skipping to Dark Dawn.

Dark Dawn (2010, DS) is set about 30 years after the GBA duo with new protagonists (Matthew's party) and references to the first games' heroes. It is Story row three—not a reboot. No western Golden Sun 4 as of June 2026.

Ports & rereleases

Optional & related

No for Story order—The Lost Age completes the GBA plot that Golden Sun starts. Skipping it leaves the Weyard crisis unfinished. Dark Dawn assumes you know how the GBA saga ended.

More timelines

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