Play Order (Release = Chronological)Recommended
0 / 8 playedThe order the games came out, and the recommended play order. Era groups mark the developer and tone shifts.
Original era
- 1 Twisted Metal
- 2 Twisted Metal 2 Fan favorite. Good entry point alongside Black.
989 era
- 3 Twisted Metal III First game after SingleTrac left; different tone.
- 4 Twisted Metal 4
Reboot era
- 5 Twisted Metal: Black Darker reboot. Fan favorite entry point.
Spinoffs
- 6 Twisted Metal: Small Brawl Kid friendly spinoff with remote control cars.
Later entries
- 7 Twisted Metal: Head-On PSP game from 2005, expanded PS2 port in 2008.
- 8 Twisted Metal (2012) PS3 reboot. Latest game; no sequel announced.
About Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal is a vehicular combat series about drivers competing in Calypso's deadly tournament for a single wish. The PlayStation originals set the formula, Black (2001) gave it a darker reboot, and the 2012 game tried again for the PS3 era. Newcomers should start with Twisted Metal 2 (1996) or Black, the two entries fans still rank highest, then sample the rest in release order.
Release order is the recommended play order. Continuity resets between eras, so story order adds little, and each tournament explains its own drivers. The Peacock TV series (2023, with a second season in 2025) is a separate continuity with a live action Sweet Tooth, so it sits outside the games list.
Good to know
Head-On began as a 2005 PSP game and got an expanded PS2 port in 2008. Small Brawl (2001) is a kid friendly spinoff with remote control cars. No new game has been announced, so the 2012 reboot closes the games list; the TV show is the active branch of the franchise.
