GameTimeline

Release & story order

Red Dead timeline

Red Dead from Revolver (2004) through Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)—US release dates, the 1899→1911 Marston saga (RDR2 before RDR1 in story order), Undead Nightmare, and FAQ for Red Dead Online, the 2023 port, and Rockstar's modern crime sibling GTA.

Updated August 2026

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Release order

When Rockstar shipped each western chapter—Red Dead Revolver (2004), Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare (2010), then Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018). The 2023 Switch/PS4 RDR1 port and Red Dead Online are optional—not extra mainline release-order titles.

  • Best first play → Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Enhanced on PS5/XSX/PC if available)
  • Story-first → RDR2 → RDR1—never the reverse for a first run
  • Release historian → Revolver (2004) → RDR1 → Undead Nightmare → RDR2
  • Skip Revolver unless you want every Rockstar western edition
Story order tips

One connected Redemption saga: Red Dead Redemption 2 (1899) → Red Dead Redemption (1911). RDR2 is a prequel about Dutch's gang and Arthur Morgan—play it before RDR1 for the full Marston arc. Red Dead Revolver is a separate frontier tale; Undead Nightmare is alternate zombie fiction.

  • Core saga: Red Dead Redemption 2 (1899) → Red Dead Redemption (1911)
  • RDR2 ends where RDR1 begins emotionally—Dutch, John, and Abigail's arc spans both
  • Undead Nightmare is optional alt-fiction after RDR1 credits—not main canon
  • 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. Red Dead Revolver

    Red Dead Revolver

    PS2XboxActionClassic

    Red Dead Revolver is Rockstar’s 2004 Western shooter—arcade bounty-hunting before the Redemption open worlds.

    Overview
    Dead Eye slow-mo gunfights and chapter structure that seeded later Red Dead fantasy without sharing RDR plot. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Standalone Red Harlow tale. Soft brand primer only before Redemption. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional ancestry. Most players start at Red Dead Redemption or RDR2. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US May 4, 2004 on PS2/Xbox. Digital reissues vary by region.
  2. Red Dead Redemption

    Red Dead Redemption

    PS3Xbox 360ActionMainlineOpen world

    Red Dead Redemption follows John Marston in 1911—New Austin, Nuevo Paraíso, and the end of the outlaw West.

    Overview
    Open-world Western with Dead Eye, honor, and a story that reframes everything RDR2 later foreshadows. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1911 Marston arc. Story tab places RDR2 (1899) first for spoiler-safe play.
    Should you play it?
    Play after RDR2 on Story order; on Release it ships years earlier. Remaster rumors aside, PS3/360/ backward options vary. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US May 18, 2010 on PS3/Xbox 360. Undead Nightmare DLC same year.
  3. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

    Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

    PS3Xbox 360ExpansionHorror

    Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare turns the frontier into a zombie Western standalone DLC campaign.

    Overview
    Alternate-universe outbreak story with undead mounts and apocalypse side missions—non-canon fun. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Non-canon sidestep. Play for tone variety after Marston’s main tale. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after RDR1. Not required for RDR2 continuity. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 26, 2010 on PS3/Xbox 360. Bundled in Game of the Year editions.
  4. Red Dead Redemption 2

    Red Dead Redemption 2

    PS4Xbox OneActionMainlineOpen world

    Red Dead Redemption 2 is 1899 Van der Linde saga—Arthur Morgan’s fall across New Hanover and Lemoyne.

    Overview
    Dense simulation Western with camp morale, detailed gunplay, and a prequel story to RDR1. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1899 Arthur arc → epilogue into John’s farm life. Then RDR1 for 1911. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Default modern entry. On Story order, play before RDR1 to protect spoilers. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 26, 2018 on PS4/Xbox One; PC November 2019.

FAQ

Release vs story order, RDR2 prequel placement, Revolver canon, Undead Nightmare, Online, and remasters.

Release order

Release order is when Rockstar launched each game in the US—Revolver (2004), Red Dead Redemption (2010), Undead Nightmare (2010), Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018). Story order follows the Marston saga: Red Dead Redemption 2 (1899) → Red Dead Redemption (1911). RDR2 shipped last but is the prequel—play it first for story.

Red Dead Redemption 2 first (Rockstar Enhanced on PC/PS5/XSX if available), then Red Dead Redemption via the 2023 port or original 2010 build. Skip Revolver until you want series history. Add Undead Nightmare after RDR1 credits if you want zombie camp. Avoid reading RDR1 spoilers before finishing RDR2.

Story & canon

RDR2 follows Arthur Morgan and Dutch's gang in 1899—twelve years before John Marston's 1911 story in RDR1. Characters overlap (John, Abigail, Jack, Dutch, Bill, Javier). RDR1 still works standalone, but RDR2's ending reframes every RDR1 reunion. Story order is 2 → 1, opposite of release order.

Undead Nightmare is a zombie-apocalypse expansion set during RDR1's epilogue—release-order titles only, not on Story order. Treat it as alternate fiction (Rockstar's horror B-movie). Play after beating RDR1 main story if you want more John—skip for strict canon. Included in RDR1 Game of the Year and some modern bundles.

Red Dead Revolver (2004) stars Red Harlow in a different frontier tale—same IP, not the Marston/Dutch continuity. Easter eggs and tone references exist, but no story requirement. release-order titles for history; skip on Story order. PS2/Xbox original; PS4 re-release via PS2 Classics—optional.

Ports & editions

Optional & online

More timelines

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