Borderlands has swiftly established itself as a leading name in the looter shooter genre since its debut, evolving into a highly recognizable gaming franchise. Its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the iconic masked psycho have cemented its place in contemporary video game culture. The series has expanded beyond gaming, venturing into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game, transforming into a multimedia phenomenon.
This month marks a significant milestone for Borderlands with its long-anticipated transition to the big screen, helmed by Eli Roth, the director of Hostel and Thanksgiving. The film introduces Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to a broader audience. Although it received mixed reviews, this cinematic debut represents a substantial leap for the franchise.
With Borderlands 4 slated for release later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to reconnect with the series. To help you navigate the expansive universe, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the Borderlands saga.
Jump to:
- How to play in chronological order
- How to play by release date
The Borderlands series currently includes seven mainline games and spin-offs that are considered canon, alongside two 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 you're less interested in the overarching narrative, any of the three mainline games can serve as an excellent entry point.
All three entries in the trilogy share similar styles, scopes, and gameplay mechanics, and they're all accessible on modern consoles and PC. For those who wish to experience the saga's narrative from start to finish, especially after watching the movie, beginning with the first game is the recommended approach.
Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition
8$29.99 save 70%$8.99 at Fanatical$16.80 at Amazon 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 inaugural Borderlands game, launched in 2009, introduced players to the adventures of Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, a quartet of Vault Hunters on a quest for treasure. Set on the unpredictable planet of Pandora, their mission leads them to the legendary Vault, rumored to contain untold riches. Their journey is fraught with challenges, from battling the Crimson Lance militia to surviving encounters with the planet's ferocious wildlife and hordes of bandits. Borderlands not only became an instant hit but also defined the looter shooter genre with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy combat, weapon collection, and character development. The game was further enhanced by four expansions, ranging from zombie-themed islands to a playful take on Mad Max's Thunderdome.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's collaboration, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel bridges the narrative gap between the first two Borderlands games. Set on Pandora's moon, Elpis, it follows a new team of Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they search for another Vault. This game retains the core elements fans loved while introducing new locales and classes. It significantly enhances the story of Borderlands 2 by featuring Handsome Jack as a central character, offering insights into his transformation into the series' iconic villain. Additional expansions, including Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters like the Doppelganger and the Baroness, enriched the gameplay experience.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Borderlands 2, released in 2012, brings players back to Pandora with a new group of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their quest for another Vault is complicated by the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who attempts to thwart their efforts from the outset. The game expands upon its predecessor, offering a larger world, more quests, new character classes, and an even more extensive arsenal of weapons. Widely regarded as one of the best in the series, Borderlands 2 combines a compelling story with engaging combat and the franchise's signature humor. Post-launch, it received four additional campaigns, two new playable characters, and several Headhunter missions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Telltale Games' Tales From The Borderlands offers a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora, diverging from the mainline games' focus on Vault Hunters. Instead, it follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they become entangled in a quest for a new Vault. This episodic series emphasizes branching storylines and moral choices, impacting the narrative's direction. Its impact on the Borderlands universe is significant, with characters from the game appearing in subsequent titles.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, while set in a fantasy realm rather than Pandora's wastelands, remains true to the Borderlands formula. Inspired by the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, this game immerses players in the world of Bunkers and Badasses, a Borderlands version of Dungeons and Dragons. With Tiny Tina as the dungeon master, players face mythical creatures and embark on epic quests. The game retains the series' core mechanics, including a vast array of weapons and character classes, while introducing new elements like spells and an overworld area. Four DLCs further expand the game's content with new dungeons, bosses, and gear.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
Borderlands 3, released in 2019, introduces a new cast of Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—as they confront the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, on a galaxy-spanning adventure. Players visit multiple planets, encountering familiar characters like Lilith, Rhys, Maya, Brick, Zer0, and Claptrap. The game maintains the series' signature chaotic gameplay, offering a plethora of weapons, enemies, and new character classes. Post-launch, Borderlands 3 received four new campaigns, takedown missions, and additional content through designer and director cuts.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
New Tales From The Borderlands, the latest addition to the series, introduces new protagonists—Anu, Octavio, and Fran—who find themselves in possession of a powerful artifact after discovering a vault. Their journey pits them against the Tediore corporation and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. Like its predecessor, this game focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices, featuring dialogue options, QTE combat, and impactful decisions.
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)
