Since its debut, Borderlands has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the looter shooter genre, becoming one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. Its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the notorious masked psycho character have cemented its place in modern video game culture. The series has expanded beyond gaming, branching into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game, showcasing its versatility and appeal across different media.
This month marks a significant milestone for Borderlands as it makes its much-anticipated leap to the big screen, directed by Eli Roth, known for films like 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 crucial step for the franchise's expansion.
With Borderlands 4 slated for release later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to dive back into the series. To help everyone get up to speed, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the Borderlands saga, detailing how each game fits into the overarching narrative.
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 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 an excellent 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, especially after watching the movie, starting from the beginning 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 game that started it all, Borderlands launched in 2009, introducing players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, a quartet of Vault Hunters on a treasure hunt across the volatile planet of Pandora. Their quest for the legendary Vault quickly devolves into chaos as they battle the Crimson Lance, fend off Pandora's savage wildlife, and confront hordes of bandits. Borderlands became an instant hit, propelling the looter shooter genre forward with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy elimination, gun collection, and character development. Post-launch, the game received 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 assistance, 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 search for another Vault. While offering more of the beloved Borderlands gameplay, The Pre-Sequel also delves deeper into the backstory of Borderlands 2's antagonist, Handsome Jack, showcasing his descent into madness. The game was supported with expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with two new playable characters: the Doppelganger and the Baroness.
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 thwarted by the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them. Stranded in an icy wasteland, the team embarks on a quest to uncover Jack's sinister plans and stop him. This sequel expanded on the original with more quests, new classes, and an even larger arsenal of guns. Widely regarded as the best in the series, Borderlands 2 received extensive post-launch support, including four additional campaigns, two new playable characters, and several Headhunter missions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Telltale's Tales From The Borderlands offers a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora, focusing on a crook named Fiona and a Hyperion employee, Rhys. Their paths cross after a botched deal involving a fake vault key, leading them on a thrilling quest for a new Vault. This episodic game emphasizes branching storylines and moral choices, and its characters have since become integral to the Borderlands canon, appearing in subsequent games.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, while set in a fantasy realm rather than Pandora's wastelands, retains the core elements of a Borderlands game. It expands on the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, immersing players in the world of Bunkers and Badasses, a game within the game. With Tina as the dungeon master, players battle fantasy creatures and embark on epic quests. The game introduces new mechanics like spells and an overworld area, alongside four DLCs offering new dungeons, bosses, and gear.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
Borderlands 3, released in 2019, introduces new Vault Hunters Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, who must stop the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, from harnessing vault powers across multiple planets. The game features familiar faces like Lilith, Rhys, and Claptrap, and offers a vast array of guns, new classes, and extensive DLC content, including four new campaigns and special cuts that bring back cut content.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
New Tales From The Borderlands continues the narrative-focused approach of its predecessor, introducing new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran. After discovering a powerful artefact in a vault, they find themselves targeted by the Tediore corporation and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. The game focuses on a branching storyline 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)
