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For your first playthrough, play Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2, Bayonetta 3, then Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. That follows the main games in release order before the optional spin-off. If you prefer the broad story chronology, play Origins first: it follows Cereza as a young witch, before the mainline adventures.
What order should I play the Bayonetta games in?
Release order is the clearest route for newcomers who want the main games’ reveals in sequence. PlatinumGames identifies the three numbered entries as part of the series and describes Bayonetta 2 as a true sequel to the original.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Bayonetta 3 - Nintendo Switch | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Bayonetta - Playstation 3 | $72.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle: Standard Edition - PlayStation 4 | $33.27 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Bayonetta (Platinum Collection) [Japan Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oBHPHom8L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Bayonetta (Platinum Collection) [Japan Import] | $77.22 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Eyes of Bayonetta | $1,004.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Bayonetta
- Bayonetta 2
- Bayonetta 3
- Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (optional spin-off)
You can stop after the numbered trilogy and have played the mainline games. Origins offers a different kind of experience rather than another numbered action sequel.
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What is the Bayonetta story timeline?
In broad chronological terms, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon comes first. It tells a story about Cereza as a young witch and her adventure with the first demon she summoned, before she becomes the Bayonetta of the main games. PlatinumGames called it “the first page of Cereza’s story.”
#1 Best Overall
- Play as the bewitching Bayonetta in the third installment of her climax action game series
- Shoot, stomp, and slam your way through multiple locations and meet other Bayonettas
- Channel the power of demons using the new ability, Demon Masquerade
- Unleash Bayonetta’s Infernal Demons in larger-than-life battles
- Slash and slay as witch-in-training Viola and harness the power of her feline demon, Cheshire
After Origins, the practical order for the main story is Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2, then Bayonetta 3. This is a useful play sequence, not a promise that every event fits into one simple, settled chronology. Bayonetta 3 complicates continuity, and the official material does not resolve every detail of how its multiverse elements relate to each game’s continuity.
How each game fits
| Game | Role | Useful context |
|---|---|---|
| Bayonetta | First mainline game | The recommended starting point for release-order play. PlatinumGames lists original releases for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as later PC and Wii U releases. |
| Bayonetta 2 | Mainline sequel | PlatinumGames calls it a true sequel. A Nintendo Switch edition is listed by Nintendo. |
| Bayonetta 3 | Third numbered entry | Part of the main series. Nintendo’s official history page recaps events from Bayonetta 2. |
| Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon | Story-focused spin-off | A distinct gameplay experience about young Cereza. It launched for Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2023; Nintendo is the publisher and PlatinumGames the developer. |
Is Bayonetta Origins a prequel, and is it part of the main series?
Origins is a prequel in the broad sense that its story takes place during Cereza’s youth, before the mainline adventures. It is also a spin-off, with its own distinct style and gameplay, rather than a fourth numbered action sequel. PlatinumGames director Abebe Tinari described it as “a different side of Bayonetta.”
Rank #2
- Top Developer Pedigree- Built from the ground up by Platinum Games, a newly formed studio from gaming's most celebrated development teams (DMC & Resident Evil series).
- Unique, Sexy Female Lead Character- Bayonetta is a graceful, stylish & all action heroine with a distinctive character design playing an integral part of her special attacks.
- Angelic enemies- Fight against uniquely crafted angelic enemies casting a new light on good and evil.
- Groundbreaking Acrobatic Gameplay- Bayonetta wields an impressive arsenal of weapons on her hands and feet through an intuitive and fluid combat system unrivalled in gaming.
- Interchangeable weapons- In addition to her four enchanted guns called Scarborough Fair, she can unlock an array of weapons from shotguns, bazookas and fiery claws.
It is not required to understand the numbered trilogy. Its director, Hideki Kamiya, said the game tells of Cereza’s adventure with the first demon she summoned; the supervising director also described it as a new gameplay experience for established fans and people unfamiliar with the series. That makes it an option for curious newcomers, but release order remains the straightforward choice if you want the main games’ reveals as released.
Do I need to play Bayonetta 1 and 2 before 3?
Playing the numbered games in order is the best route for continuity: start with Bayonetta, continue to Bayonetta 2, then play Bayonetta 3. Nintendo’s Bayonetta 3 history page recaps events from the second game, but a recap is not the same as experiencing the earlier games in sequence.
Rank #3
- Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of two PlatinumGames cult classics with the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle!
- Bayonetta and Vanquish will be coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for the first time in this remastered dual-pack.
- Bayonetta: Experience the genesis of the Bayonetta series with the cult classic, original action-adventure game.
- Vanquish: The hit sci-fi shooter returns. An overpopulated Earth suffocating under limited resources looks to Providence, the solar-powered space colony for support.
Where can I play the games?
The series spans platforms and editions, so check the exact title, edition, region, and current store listing before buying. Official platform information records original Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases for Bayonetta, later releases on PC and Wii U, and Nintendo Switch versions for the first two games, Bayonetta 3, and Origins. These listings document platform history; they do not guarantee current stock or availability in every region.
Nintendo’s listing for Bayonetta 2 confirms a Switch edition and includes eShop purchase options. Store availability can change, so verify it for your region rather than assuming every entry is currently sold on every listed platform.
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