Fortnite has had a whopping 28 seasons to date, including Chapter 5 Season 1. There have been tons of changes and additions across those, with plenty of great memories living rent free in our minds. Here, I’m looking at the 10 best Fortnite seasons and what made them special.
Ranking the Top 10 Fortnite Seasons from Best to Awesome
Fortnite is a cultural phenomenon that forever changed the way people connect with gaming. Surely we’ve all seen someone attempt a Fortnite dance at some point, and the game’s approach to profit transformed marketing strategies for other developers.
I remember back when Epic Games said they’d continuously update the Free-to-Play game with new content, a seemingly impossible feat to live up to. Yet, here we are years later, with plenty of Seasons come and gone.
10. Chapter 2 Season 1
Chapter 2 Season 1 was introduced back in October 2019. This update changed the game forever and confirmed Epic’s guarantee to keep improving it over time, keeping things fresh as they promised.
I remember how exciting it was to finally be able to swim across the map, sprinting from enemies or emerging to get a shot on an unsuspecting player. Fishing for materials and weapons was something I never thought I’d see in the game, and the whole set of mechanics brought necessary connection to the map.
But as much as I loved those additions, they’re the only stand-out features of this season, so it takes the last place on this list.
9. Chapter 1 Season 5
Chapter 1 Season 5 was introduced in July 2018 and brought the Worlds Collide era to Fortnite. The introduction of the Viking POI was beyond exciting, letting us discover a giant Viking ship on a mountaintop. And unlocking the new Viking skins in the Battle Pass was the cherry on top.
The update included the Rift-to-Go, the Grappler, the ATK (Golf Karts), and more. Additionally, the Huntress and Magnus Viking skins were the most interesting cosmetics introduced to that point, so it was an unforgettable time to play Fortnite.
8. Chapter 2 Season 2
Launching in February 2020, Chapter 2 Season 2 was the longest season in Fortnite. Taking place over the infamous COVID era, the Season saw record-high player counts. Was it because we had nothing else to do? Maybe — but also, maybe not. This Season brought exciting content like Vaults, Bosses, and Henchmen, the ability to Shakedown fallen opponents, and Secret Passages, all things that kept us coming back over and over.
Indeed, perhaps the most lasting addition during this season was the introduction of vaults that remain a truly memorable addition to the game. They instituted a new risk-reward opportunity to make the initial moments of a match more exciting and we still see them in current Seasons.
7. Chapter 4 Season 2
Probably one of my favorite maps in Fortnite, Chapter 4 Season 2 brought MEGA city to the game in March 2023. If you wanted a hot drop, Mega City was the place to be with guard rails in a Cyberpunk-inspired Tilted Towers. If you wanted to start somewhere tranquil, the new Japan-inspired Steamy Springs and Kenjutsu Crossing POIs offered healing springs, and Katana Kinetic Blades aplenty.
Additionally, we got Capture Points, and Loot Island for the first time, bringing an exciting POI to chase down and capture mid-match. Capture Points remain one of my favorite aspects of the game.
6. Chapter 1 Season 8
Chapter 1 Season 8 was introduced back in 2019, and brought pirates to the game, and who doesn’t love a pirate theme? Named “X Marks the Spot,” the update brought Buried Treasure maps, the Reboot Van, the Baller vehicle, and Shadow Bombs. I’ll never forget finding a Treasure Map and hunting down that X.
While an overall fun and adventurous era of the game, the Reboot Vans brought a necessary quality to duos and squad mode. The ability to revive your squadmates forever altered the game’s competitive format.
5. Chapter 2 Season 4
Launching in August 2020, the Nexus War season was the first big collaboration that Epic Games had for Fortnite. The Season brought icons from the Marvel franchise like Groot, Storm, and Tony Stark. I never thought I’d see Marvel in Fortnite, and this Season set the stage for all future collaborations in the game.
While the superhero power abilities elicited controversial opinions in the competitive community, it was truly innovative and remarkable to see the fantastical gameplay in the Battle Royale.
4. Chapter 5 Season 1
While we’re still in the midst of Chapter 5 Season 1, in my humble opinion, it’s among the best out there and deserves fourth place on this list. As the follow-up season to OG, expectations were high, and Epic delivered. The update brought exciting new POIs with Society Medallion bosses like Peter Griffin, a capture point train that moves around the map, underground loot points with Mod Benches, and the Ballistic Shield.
In addition to being an all-around exciting Season, the update brought new game modes LEGO and Rocket Racing. So, all around, it’s bound to stand the test of time as one of the best Seasons out there.
3. Chapter 3 Season 2
That said, going live in March 2022, Chapter 3 Season 2 changed Fortnite forever. The Season introduced Zero Build mode, offering a fresh new format for players who don’t want to sweat the building aficionados in regular BR mode. While building is what set Fortnite apart from the get-go, after years in the game it evolved into a level of complexity no one could foresee from the initial box builds.
Additionally, the game has so much fresh content that sets it apart, build or no build. Launching zero-build mode undoubtedly brought new and returning players to the platform.
2. Chapter 4 Season OG
Launched in December 2023, Chapter 4 Season OG took everyone by surprise. After many years of innovation and transformation in Fortnite, we got to return to the roots with OG and revisit the moments that set the game on its path to success. The game saw all-time high player counts, and for good reason.
It was insanely exciting to get new content every week that brought us a hyperspeed version of Chapter 1. Playing without vehicles or swimming, with Damage Traps, and revisiting the Cube are my most memorable moments of Season OG.
1. Chapter 1 Season 2
Chapter 1 Season 2 is oozing with nostalgia and iconic moments. The season launched in December 2017, and brought many items that are crucial to the game. The update introduced the iconic hot-drop Tilted Towers, the Battle Pass, the Cozy Campfire, Chug Jug, Small Shield Potion, and the Impulse Grenade.
The initial excitement I had for Tilted Towers still remains, because few POIs have ever come close to the memorable gameplay that took place at the original location. In my humble opinion, nothing tops the days of OG Tilted Towers so this Season has to take first place on the list.
That’s my list of the best Fortnite seasons. For fans of the Battle Royale, we’ve got plenty more lists and tips for you to discover. Check out our best Guess Who maps and the best LEGO Fortnite weapons by clicking the links or head to our Fortnite guides hub here.
