The game's storyline follows a new team that is dispatched to Las Vegas, Nevada to defeat international terrorist Irena Morales and her army of mercenaries that are repeatedly attacking key locations in the city.

A sequel developed by Ubisoft Montreal was released on Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 consoles in March 2008 and on PC in April 2008.

The player's vision is greatly impaired while damaged, similar to the health system in Gears of War.

[14] Furthermore, a third-person view has been included for moments where players can blind-fire around corners to lay down suppression or covering fire.

In 2010, Rainbow operatives Logan Keller, Gabriel Nowak and Kan Akahashi are deployed to a Mexican border town, where they are tasked with capturing Irena Morales, a terrorist ringleader.

After infiltrating a train yard and freeing a group of hostages, the team eventually makes its way to a mine where Irena is hiding.

The team clears out the casino and saves a group of hostages, including a NATO weapons researcher, who reveals that another scientist has been captured.

The team then proceeds to a theatre to hack a terrorist server where they discover that Irena's target is the Nevada Dam.

[18] A Limited Collector's Edition of Rainbow Six: Vegas was released at the game's launch featuring alternative cover art and a bonus disc.

[19] On April 18, 2007, the Player's Pack Red Edition was released as downloadable content on Xbox Live.

All original game modes and maps are compatible with those featured in the Player's Pack Red Edition.

[21] On June 30, 2007, the Black Edition was re-released for download free of charge; Xbox Live users who paid for the pack had their points reimbursed.

[22] Both the Red and the Black player packs were released for PC platform on July 26, 2007, and are included in the PS3 retail version.

[23][24] The Xbox 360 edition of Rainbow Six: Vegas was released to very positive reviews from major gaming news outlets, such as GameSpy (5/5),[46] GameSpot (9.1/10),[42] IGN (9.3/10),[55] and TeamXbox (9.5/10).

[74] In early 2007, Rainbow Six: Vegas became the first Xbox 360 title to join the Major League Gaming (MLG) Circuit.

However, Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, the game's sequel, was featured on the 2008 MLG Pro Circuit, with its first showing in San Diego, California.