Since its debut, Borderlands has quickly established itself as a flagship title in the looter shooter genre, becoming one of the most recognizable franchises in gaming. Its unique cel-shaded visuals and the iconic masked psycho have cemented its place in modern video game culture. Beyond the gaming world, Borderlands has expanded into a multimedia phenomenon, branching out into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.
This month marks a significant milestone for the franchise as it finally makes its leap to the big screen, directed by Eli Roth of "Hostel" and "Thanksgiving" fame. The film reimagines the world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, the movie represents a major step for the series.
With the announcement of Borderlands 4 set to release later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to dive back into the universe. To help you get up to speed, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the series.
Jump to:
- How to play in chronological order
- How to play by release date
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How Many Borderlands Games Are There?
In total, there are currently seven Borderlands games and spin-offs that are canon to the series, and two smaller, non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.
Where's The Best Place to Start?
The most straightforward starting point is arguably Borderlands 1. However, if the story isn't your primary concern, any of the three mainline games can serve as a great introduction. The trilogy shares a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and all are available on modern consoles and PC. For those interested in the overarching narrative, starting from the beginning is the best way to experience the saga.
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Every Canon Borderlands Game in Chronological Order
These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Borderlands (2009)
The game that started it all, Borderlands launched in 2009, introducing players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, a group of Vault Hunters on a treasure hunt across the volatile planet of Pandora. Their quest for the legendary Vault quickly turns into a chaotic adventure filled with battles against the Crimson Lance, savage wildlife, and hordes of bandits. Borderlands became an instant hit, popularizing the looter shooter genre with its addictive gameplay loop of combat, loot collection, and character development. The game received four expansions post-launch, expanding its universe with diverse settings and themes.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel fills the narrative gap between the first two games. Set on the moon of Elpis, it follows new Vault Hunters Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap as they seek another Vault. While offering more of the beloved Borderlands gameplay, it also delves deeper into the story of Borderlands 2, featuring the rise of its antagonist, Handsome Jack. The game was supported with expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, adding new characters and content.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Borderlands 2, released in 2012, brings players back to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their mission to find a new Vault is complicated by the planet's ruthless overlord, Handsome Jack. The game expands on the original with more quests, new classes, and an even larger arsenal of guns. Widely regarded as one of the best in the series, Borderlands 2 offers a compelling story, memorable combat, and the franchise's signature humor, supported by numerous post-launch campaigns and additional content.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Telltale's spin-off, Tales From The Borderlands, offers a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora. Following Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, the game explores their journey after a botched deal leads them to a new Vault. With a focus on branching storylines and moral choices, Tales From The Borderlands has become a crucial part of the series' canon, with its characters appearing in subsequent games.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, while set in a fantasy realm, retains the core elements of a Borderlands game. As a standalone expansion of the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, it immerses players in the world of Bunkers and Badasses, guided by the enthusiastic Tiny Tina. The game introduces new mechanics like spells and an overworld, alongside the series' traditional focus on guns, classes, and combat, with additional content available through four DLCs.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
Borderlands 3, released in 2019, introduces new Vault Hunters Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, tasked with stopping the siren twins Troy and Tyreen. The game expands the universe to multiple planets, featuring familiar characters and offering a wealth of new content, including guns, enemies, and classes. Post-launch, Borderlands 3 received extensive DLC, including new campaigns and special content cuts.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
New Tales From The Borderlands continues the narrative focus of its predecessor, introducing new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran. Their adventure begins after discovering a vault artifact, leading them into conflict with the Tediore corporation. The game emphasizes choice-driven storytelling, with dialogue options and QTE sequences shaping the narrative.
Every Borderlands Game in Release Order
- Borderlands (2009)
- Borderlands Legends (2012)
- Borderlands 2 (2012)
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
- Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
- Borderlands 3 (2019)
- Tiny Tina's Wonderland (2022)
- New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
- Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball (2023)
- Borderlands 4 (2025)
What's Next For Borderlands?
Borderlands 4 is set to be the next major release, scheduled for September 23, 2025. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, the studio's head, Randy Pitchford, has described it as their greatest work yet. With Take-Two focusing on the franchise's potential for growth, fans can expect more adventures in the Borderlands universe in the coming years.
