If you want to buy The Binding of Isaac today, the best starting point for almost everyone is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth with the Repentance DLC , buying it as a bundle or during a sale if possible.

Main recommendation

  • Start with Rebirth : It’s the modern remake of the original flash game and includes essentially all its content plus more, with much smoother performance and controls.
  • Aim for Repentance eventually : Repentance is the latest and “final” expansion layered on top of Rebirth → Afterbirth → Afterbirth+ → Repentance, and it’s considered the definitive version with the most content and balance updates.
  • Skip the original unless you’re curious : The old flash version is now mainly a historical curiosity for fans; you don’t lose real gameplay by starting in Rebirth.

Which edition should you buy?

Think of it as “one game with stacked DLC,” not separate games:

  • Minimum buy (testing the waters)
    • Buy: The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth only.
    • Good if you’re not sure you’ll like the style, or you’re on a tight budget.
  • Recommended buy (most players)
    • Buy: Rebirth + Afterbirth + Afterbirth+ + Repentance (often sold as a complete bundle).
    • This gives you the full, current version almost everyone streams and discusses, with all characters, items, and endings.
  • Collector / nostalgia buy
    • Optionally grab: The Binding of Isaac (Flash) + Wrath of the Lamb later only if you want to see how it started.

Simple version comparison

[3][1] [1][3] [3] [1][3]
Version What it is Who it’s for
Original + Wrath of the Lamb Old flash game, less smooth, now mainly for nostalgia.Fans who want historical context.
Rebirth Remake with all original content plus more, better performance.New players unsure if they’ll like Isaac.
Rebirth + Afterbirth More items, bosses, and “wilder” runs; slightly less balanced but more chaotic fun.Players who enjoy Rebirth and want more variety.
Rebirth + Afterbirth+ + Repentance Current definitive version with the largest content, rebalancing, and modern community meta.Anyone who knows they’re in for the long haul.

If you’re totally new to roguelikes

  • Expect to lose a lot early; that’s normal and part of the loop.
  • Start on Normal difficulty; Hard is noticeably tougher in the full Repentance version.
  • Use a quick item reference (like platinumgod-style wikis) if you feel overwhelmed by items.

Bottom line

If your budget allows, buy the full Rebirth + all DLC up to Repentance so you’re playing the same “complete” game most guides, streams, and discussions refer to. If you want to spend as little as possible first, grab Rebirth alone , and upgrade to the DLC once you’re hooked.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.