Since its inception, the *Borderlands* series has swiftly earned its place as the quintessential looter shooter, captivating gamers with its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the quirky, irreverent charm of its sci-fi world. The franchise's unique blend of humor and action has not only solidified its status 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 *Borderlands* as it makes its eagerly anticipated leap to the silver screen, directed by Eli Roth, known for films like *Hostel* and *Thanksgiving*. The movie brings the chaotic world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this adaptation is a pivotal moment for the franchise.
With *Borderlands 4* slated for release later this year, there's a surge of interest from both new and returning fans eager to reconnect with the series' origins. To help you navigate this expansive universe, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline to keep you up to speed on the entire saga.
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- How to play in chronological order
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How Many Borderlands Games Are There?
The *Borderlands* universe comprises a total of **seven canon games and spin-offs**, alongside **two non-canon titles**: *Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball* and *Borderlands Legends*.
Where's The Best Place to Start?
For those keen on diving into the narrative, *Borderlands 1* is the ideal starting point. However, if the story isn't your primary interest, any of the trilogy's main entries provide a robust introduction to the series. The core games share a similar style, scope, and gameplay, making them accessible on modern platforms. If you're looking to follow the saga's overarching storyline, beginning with the first game is recommended.
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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 inaugural *Borderlands* game launched in 2009, introducing players to the thrilling tale of four Vault Hunters—Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai—as they embark on a treasure hunt across the treacherous planet of Pandora. Their quest for The Vault, rumored to contain untold riches, spirals into a whirlwind of chaos, pitting them against the Crimson Lance, Pandora's savage wildlife, and relentless bandits. The game's success catapulted the looter shooter genre to new heights, with its engaging cycle of combat, gun collection, and character development. Post-launch, it was enriched with four expansions, ranging from zombie-infested islands to a playful homage to *Mad Max's* Thunderdome.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's assistance, *Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel* bridges 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 pursue a Vault. While offering familiar gameplay with new locales and classes, the game's highlight is its deeper exploration of *Borderlands 2*'s antagonist, Handsome Jack. It showcases his descent into villainy, featuring pivotal characters and events that set the stage for the sequel. Additional expansions, including the Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters like the Doppelganger and the Baroness, further expanded its content.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Launching in 2012, *Borderlands 2* returned players to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters—Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0—seeking another Vault. Their journey is marred by Handsome Jack, Pandora's tyrannical ruler, who attempts to thwart their quest. Stranded in an icy wasteland after a botched assassination attempt, the team sets out to unravel Jack's sinister plans and claim the Vault. Expanding on the original's formula, *Borderlands 2* delivered a larger world, more quests, new classes, and an iconic villain. Widely regarded as the series' best entry, it was supported by extensive post-launch content, including four campaigns, two new characters, and several Headhunter missions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Developed by Telltale Games, *Tales From The Borderlands* is a narrative-driven spin-off set on Pandora, focusing on a crook and a corporate lackey—Rhys and Fiona—entangled in a vault-related adventure. Following *Borderlands 2*, the game explores their journey after a botched deal for a vault key, leading them on a quest for a new Vault. With its focus on branching storylines and moral choices, *Tales From The Borderlands* has been recognized as a vital part of the franchise, with characters from the game appearing in *Borderlands 3*.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
*Tiny Tina's Wonderlands* might appear different from typical *Borderlands* games due to its fantasy setting, but it retains the series' core elements. Expanding on the beloved *Borderlands 2* DLC, *Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep*, players dive into the world of Bunkers and Badasses, a *Dungeons and Dragons*-like game led by the enthusiastic Tiny Tina. Facing off against fantasy creatures and embarking on epic quests, the game introduces new mechanics like spells and an overworld area. It also features four DLCs, offering additional dungeons, bosses, and gear.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
Released in 2019, *Borderlands 3* introduced new Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—as they combat the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, across multiple planets. The game brings back familiar characters like Lilith, Rhys, and Claptrap, weaving a narrative of galactic adventure and vault exploration. Known for its expansive content, *Borderlands 3* includes four new campaigns, takedown missions, and additional content through designer and director cuts.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
The latest entry in the chronological timeline, *New Tales From The Borderlands* introduces new protagonists—Anu, Octavio, and Fran—caught in a vault-related conflict with the Tediore corporation. As they uncover the powers of a discovered artifact, they navigate their adventures amidst corporate pursuits. Like its predecessor, the game emphasizes a branching narrative influenced by player choices, featuring dialogue options and QTE sequences.
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?
The next major installment, *Borderlands 4*, is set to launch on September 23, 2025. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, the studio's head, Randy Pitchford, has described the upcoming sequel as "the greatest thing [the studio has] ever done." With Take-Two eyeing significant growth opportunities for the franchise, fans can anticipate more frequent visits to Pandora and its universe in the future.
