Honestly, trying to track down a single last of us game release date feels like trying to navigate downtown Seattle without a map—and with a bunch of Clickers on your tail. It's a mess. Between the original launches, the remasters, the PC ports, and that shiny new remake, the timeline is basically a spiderweb at this point.
You’ve got people arguing about whether the 2022 version is a "real" new game or just a facelift. Then there’s the whole "when is Part 3 coming out" saga that keeps everyone up at night. If you’re just trying to figure out when you can actually play these things, I’ve got you.
The Original Timeline: Where it All Started
Let’s go back to the beginning. June 14, 2013. That was the day the world first met Joel and Ellie on the PlayStation 3. It’s wild to think that game is over a decade old now.
But Sony didn't stop there. Because the PS4 was right around the corner, they dropped The Last of Us Remastered on July 29, 2014. It was basically the same game but prettier and smoother. Most people who grew up with the series probably played this version first.
Then things went quiet. For a long time.
We waited seven years for the sequel. The Last of Us Part II finally hit shelves on June 19, 2020. It was right in the middle of the pandemic, which, looking back, was a pretty heavy time to play a game about a global fungus plague.
The Remake and PC Era
This is where the last of us game release date conversation gets kinda annoying for some fans. Naughty Dog decided to completely rebuild the first game from the ground up for the PS5.
- The Last of Us Part I (PS5): Released September 2, 2022.
- The Last of Us Part I (PC): Released March 28, 2023.
That PC launch was... let's say "rocky." It had a ton of bugs at the start, though it's much better now. But for the first time ever, mouse-and-keyboard players could actually experience the story without buying a console.
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Then came the second game's turn for a glow-up. The Last of Us Part II Remastered landed on January 19, 2024, for the PS5. It added that "No Return" roguelike mode which is surprisingly addictive. And for the folks waiting on the PC version of that sequel? Mark your calendars: April 3, 2025. Yeah, it's finally happening.
What Most People Get Wrong About Part 3
Everyone wants to know about The Last of Us Part III. I see the rumors every single day. "It's coming in 2026!" "It’s been canceled!"
Here is the reality. Neil Druckmann has confirmed he has a "concept" for a third chapter. But right now, Naughty Dog is deep in the trenches working on their brand new sci-fi IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
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Realistically? We aren't seeing Part 3 for a long time. Most industry insiders and development timelines suggest we are looking at 2028 or 2029 at the earliest. Development cycles are just too long these days. You can't just snap your fingers and make a masterpiece in two years anymore. It's a massive, grueling process that takes half a decade.
Every Major Release at a Glance
If you just want the raw data without the fluff, here’s how the releases actually rolled out:
The original PS3 debut happened in June 2013. The PS4 Remaster followed quickly in July 2014. We had a massive gap until the sequel, Part II, in June 2020. Then the "Part I" Remake hit PS5 in September 2022, followed by its PC debut in March 2023. Part II Remastered arrived on PS5 in January 2024, and the PC port for the sequel finally arrives in April 2025.
The Future: What’s Next for Naughty Dog?
So, where does that leave us in 2026?
Right now, the focus isn't on a new game release for this specific franchise. It's about the HBO show and the new IP. Season 2 of the show is the big "release" people are looking for lately.
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But if you’re a die-hard gamer, the next big milestone is definitely that Part II Remastered PC launch on April 3, 2025. If you haven't played it yet, or you're waiting to see Seattle in 4K at 120fps on a beefy rig, that's your target.
Next Steps for You
- Check your hardware: If you're planning on the PC version of Part II, make sure you've got an SSD. This game won't run on an old spinning hard drive.
- Play the Remake first: If you're new, don't play the 2014 Remastered version if you have a PS5. The 2022 Part I remake is the definitive way to see the story.
- Ignore the "Part 3" leaks: Unless it comes directly from Naughty Dog’s social media or a State of Play, it’s probably just clickbait.
Stay patient. Joel always said things happen for a reason, and in the world of game development, "rushed" usually means "broken."