The Battlefield franchise is a popular and long-running first-person shooter series that has had its ups and downs over the course of more than 20 years. During its peak, Battlefield revolutionized the concept of large-scale combat in video games.
If you’re having trouble keeping track of which game was released in which year, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
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How to play all Battlefield games in order of release
Here is a comprehensive list of the entire Battlefield game series, along with their release dates. This will allow you to reminisce about your initial encounter with the Battlefield franchise.
- Battlefield (Released: September 10, 2002)
- Battlefield 2 (Released: June 21, 2005)
- Battlefield 2: MODERN COMBAT (Released: October 24, 2005)
- Battlefield 2142 (Released: October 17, 2006)
- Battlefield: Bad Company (Released: June 23, 2008)
- Battlefield Heroes (Released: June 25, 2009)
- Battlefield 1943 (Released: July 8, 2009)
- Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (Released: March 2, 2010)
- Battlefield Online (Released: March 25, 2010)
- Battlefield Play4free (Released: April 4, 2011)
- Battlefield 3 (Release date October 25, 2011)
- Battlefield 4 (Released: October 29, 2013)
- Battlefield Vietname (Released: March 14, 2014)
- Battlefield Hardline (Released: March 17, 2015)
- Battlefield 1 (Released: October 21, 2016)
- Battlefield V (Released: November 20, 2018)
- Battlefield 2042 (Released: October 22, 2021)
1. Battlefield 1942
The first installment of the Battlefield series, Battlefield 1942, was launched in 2002, marking the beginning of a successful gaming franchise.
This game, set during World War Two, had a strong focus on multiplayer gameplay and introduced players to a vast array of exciting opportunities.
2. Battlefield Vietnam
In 2004, Battlefield Vietnam was launched as a game that was not considered a full sequel, but it offered more than just an expansion. Instead of focusing on World War Two, the game took place in Vietnam and featured a more contemporary and fast-paced combat experience.
Although the game may not be as impressive by today’s standards, it successfully depicted some of the intense and distressing aspects of the historical conflict.
3. Battlefield 2
The Battlefield series took a significant step forward with the release of Battlefield 2, as it marked the beginning of the series’ transformation into the popular franchise we recognize today.
This game, which was launched in 2005 for PC, depicted a fictional conflict that involved the United States and European powers facing off against China and the Middle East.
While retaining the massive battles that the series was known for, Battlefield 2 introduced a contemporary setting and introduced exciting features such as attack helicopters to the franchise.
4. Battlefield 2 Modern Combat
In 2005, Battlefield 2 Modern Combat was launched, signifying the Battlefield series’ debut on consoles. Even though the game used most of the assets from the PC version of Battlefield 2, it featured a unique storyline that took place in the same conflict.
The Xbox 360 version of the game was considered the superior edition and served as a foundation for future console releases.
5. Battlefield 2142
The first Battlefield game to explore futuristic warfare was Battlefield 2142, which was released in 2006. This installment of the series depicted a conflict between a militarized European Union and a Pan Asian Coalition, similar to the setting of Battlefield 2.
The game took place in a world devastated by climate change and an ice age. Battlefield 2142 was a highly ambitious game, but unfortunately, it was only accessible to those who owned PCs at the time.
6. Battlefield Bad Company
The game Bad Company marked a significant shift in the Battlefield series as it was exclusively available on consoles. Released in 2008 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, this game offered a unique and personal narrative, following a band of unconventional soldiers on their quest for treasure.
In a notable departure from previous Battlefield games, the inclusion of a heartfelt, thrilling, and occasionally humorous single-player campaign in Bad Company was a significant milestone.
This installment also marked the introduction of the beloved multiplayer mode to console players, delivering a far more immersive gameplay experience compared to Battlefield 2 Modern Combat.
7. Battlefield 1943
DICE developed a follow-up to Battlefield 1942 in 2009, exclusively for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Although it lacked a single-player campaign, it was a welcome sight to witness a contemporary adaptation of Battlefield 1942 on gaming consoles.
Despite being a brand-new game, Battlefield 1943 successfully captured the essence that made its predecessor incredibly exhilarating.
8. Battlefield Bad Company 2
Following the triumph of the initial Bad Company game, a sequel was released in 2010. This installment built upon the foundation of its predecessor, delivering an even more captivating single-player narrative and improving the multiplayer experience of the Battlefield franchise.
Notably, unlike its predecessor, the game was made available not only on consoles but also on PC.
9. Battlefield 3
The release of Battlefield 3 marked a significant milestone for the Battlefield franchise as it successfully integrated the captivating multiplayer experience with a compelling single-player campaign.
This game not only marked a fresh start for the series but also skillfully blended the successful elements from the PC versions with the innovative features introduced in the Bad Company games.
In 2011, Battlefield 3 was launched for both PC and consoles, entering into direct competition with the popular Call of Duty franchise. This installment of the Battlefield series took inspiration from its rival by presenting a narrative centered around modern warfare.
By doing so, Battlefield 3 discovered a winning formula that continues to be employed in the series today. Additionally, the game showcased the impressive capabilities of the Frostbite 2.0 engine, particularly when it came to creating immersive and highly destructible environments.
10. Battlefield 4
Following the success of Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4 continued to build on the momentum. Released in 2013, this game marked the first time that the series was available on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC simultaneously.
Despite some initial problems upon launch, Battlefield 4 showcased impressive visuals and provided a more grounded and authentic war experience set in the present day, in contrast to the increasingly futuristic entries of the Call of Duty series.
Numerous gamers who primarily play on consoles and have grown tired of Call of Duty (COD) were introduced to the Battlefield series through Battlefield 4, which provided them with an alternative gaming option.
Although the single-player mode of the game was brief but enjoyable, its multiplayer mode is widely regarded as the ultimate online Battlefield experience.
11. Battlefield Hardline
In the year 2015, the Battlefield franchise took a new direction with the release of Battlefield Hardline. This game, developed by Visceral Games, diverged from the traditional modern warfare setting and instead focused on modern law enforcement.
Rather than solely focusing on shooting enemies, the game placed a greater emphasis on apprehending criminals and utilizing stealth tactics.
The game provided an enjoyable, albeit brief, single-player campaign and introduced a unique multiplayer experience. However, it faced a slight issue of not having a clear sense of identity.
Many players tended to rely on quick reflexes rather than exploring the game’s more intricate and strategic elements. Despite its attempt at originality, Hardline’s standout feature was still its multiplayer battles featuring clashes between law enforcement and criminals.
12. Battlefield 1
In the year 2016, the release of Battlefield 1 took players back to the historical setting of the First World War. The game began with intense and realistic portrayals of trench warfare, providing players with a harrowing experience.
Additionally, Battlefield 1 featured a unique approach to its single-player campaign, dividing it into separate and self-contained “War Stories.” Each of these stories offered players a different perspective on the conflict, further enhancing
The multiplayer experience in the Battlefield games underwent a significant change, adopting a more deliberate and strategic approach.
While players still had the option to engage in intense machine gun battles, a considerable number of online matches emphasized trench warfare, where players would aim at enemies from a distance.
13. Battlefield V
The Battlefield V game built upon the concepts introduced in Battlefield 1, but it shifted the setting back to World War Two. Instead of a traditional single-player campaign, the game featured War Stories, which explored various lesser-known aspects of the conflict, including the origins of the British SAS.
Battlefield V provided a unique and authentic multiplayer experience that showcased a gritty and realistic depiction of World War Two gameplay. In contrast to Call of Duty WW2’s more arcade-style approach, Battlefield V offered a distinct and refreshing gameplay experience.
14. Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042 is a first-person shooter video game developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. Set in the near future, the game takes place in a world on the brink of collapse due to environmental disasters and geopolitical tensions.
Battlefield 2042 offers large-scale multiplayer battles with up to 128 players on next-gen consoles and PC, introducing a new game mode called “All-Out Warfare.” This mode features massive maps, dynamic weather events, and a wide range of vehicles, allowing players to engage in epic battles across land, sea, and air.
The game also introduces a new class system, giving players more tactical options and customization choices to adapt to different combat scenarios.