About RetroCanon
RetroCanonis a read-only newcomer's guide to classic video-game franchises. It helps you see what each series is, how its games relate to each other, and which entries make the most sense to play first.
How to read it
Each franchise can be viewed through release order, story timeline, and newcomer path. Release order shows when games came out, story timeline groups games by their place in the fiction, and newcomer path is the shortest practical route for someone just starting. Some series have no timeline on purpose because their games are not built around one connected story.
Disclaimer
RetroCanon is an unofficial, fan-made guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any publisher. All game titles, characters, and artwork are the property of their respective owners; box-art images are used in small form purely to identify the games discussed.
Sourcing
Release dates and platforms were verified against public sources. The “start here” recommendations are editorial opinion based on common community and critical consensus.