Since its debut, Borderlands has swiftly established itself as a cornerstone of the looter shooter genre, becoming one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. Known for its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the quirky, foul-mouthed character of its masked psycho, Borderlands has not only solidified its place in video game culture but has also expanded into a multimedia empire, encompassing comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.
This month marks a significant milestone for the franchise as it steps onto the big screen with a film directed by Eli Roth, known for Hostel and Thanksgiving. The movie reimagines the world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this cinematic venture is a pivotal moment for the series.
With Borderlands 4 set to launch later this year, there's an anticipated surge in both new and returning players eager to revisit the series. To help fans get up to speed, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline of the Borderlands saga.
Jump to:
- How to play in chronological order
- How to play by release date
In total, there are currently seven Borderlands games and spin-offs that are considered canon to the series, alongside 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 Borderlands 1, though any of the three mainline games serve as a great entry point if you're less concerned with the overarching narrative. The trilogy shares a consistent style, scope, and gameplay mechanics, and all are readily available on modern consoles and PC. However, for those interested in following the saga's story from start to finish, beginning with the first game is recommended.
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 original Borderlands, launched in 2009, introduced players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, a quartet of Vault Hunters on a thrilling treasure hunt on Pandora. Their quest for the legendary Vault quickly devolved into chaos as they battled the Crimson Lance, the planet's fierce wildlife, and swarms of bandits. This game not only popularized the looter shooter genre but also offered a rich gameplay loop of combat, exploration, and weapon collection. Post-launch, it was bolstered by four expansions, ranging from zombie-themed islands to a playful nod to Mad Max's Thunderdome.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's assistance, The Pre-Sequel bridges the gap between the first two games, despite its later release. It follows new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—on a mission to uncover a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. While offering familiar gameplay, it introduced new classes and settings. Its narrative deepens the lore of Borderlands 2, focusing on the rise of its antagonist, Handsome Jack. Post-launch expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage added more content and new playable characters.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Borderlands 2, released in 2012, brought players back to Pandora with a new group of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their quest for a new Vault is complicated by the planet's ruthless ruler, Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them early on. This sequel expanded on the original with more quests, character classes, and a memorable villain. It's widely regarded as one of the best in the series, offering a rich story and engaging combat, supported by numerous post-release expansions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Telltale Games' spin-off, Tales From The Borderlands, delivers a narrative-driven adventure on Pandora. Set post-Borderlands 2, it follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they get entangled in a quest for a Vault. This game emphasizes story and choice, impacting the narrative's direction. Its characters and story have since been integrated into the broader Borderlands universe.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Though it swaps the wastelands for a fantasy realm, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands remains a quintessential Borderlands experience. It's an expansion of the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, where players dive into a fantasy role-playing game led by the eccentric Tiny Tina. The game offers new gameplay elements like spells and an overworld, alongside the series' signature loot and combat, with several expansions adding more content.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
After a seven-year wait, Borderlands 3 introduced a new cast of Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—tasked with stopping the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, across multiple planets. It retains the series' chaotic gameplay with an abundance of guns, enemies, and new classes. Post-launch, it received significant DLC content, including new campaigns and additional missions.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
The latest entry, New Tales From The Borderlands, introduces new protagonists—Anu, Octavio, and Fran—embroiled in a quest involving a powerful artefact and the Tediore corporation. Like its predecessor, it focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices, blending dialogue, action, and decision-making.
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)
