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Since its debut, Borderlands has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the looter shooter genre and a beloved franchise within the gaming community. With its distinctive cel-shaded graphics and the iconic masked psycho, the series has carved out a unique, irreverent sci-fi universe that resonates deeply with modern video game culture. Its influence extends beyond gaming, branching into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game, showcasing its status as a multimedia phenomenon.
This month marks a significant milestone for Borderlands as it makes its much-anticipated transition to the big screen, directed by Eli Roth, known for films like Hostel and Thanksgiving. The movie brings the vibrant world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this cinematic venture represents a major leap for the franchise.
With Borderlands 4 slated for release later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to dive back into the series and revisit its origins. To help you navigate the expansive universe of Borderlands, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline to get you up to speed on how everything connects.
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- 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?
Starting with Borderlands 1 is the most straightforward choice, especially if you're interested in following the overarching narrative. However, if the story isn't your primary concern, any of the three mainline games can serve as a great entry point. The trilogy's games share a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and are readily available on modern consoles and PCs. For those eager to delve into the saga's story, beginning at the start is the ideal way to experience the series.
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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 us to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai—a quartet of Vault Hunters on a quest for the legendary Vault on Pandora. Their journey quickly descends into chaos as they battle the Crimson Lance, confront Pandora's dangerous wildlife, and fend off hordes of bandits. Borderlands was an instant hit, catapulting the looter shooter genre to fame with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy elimination, gun collection, and character development. Post-launch, the game received four expansions, expanding its universe from zombie-infested islands to a playful nod to Mad Max's Thunderdome.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's support, The Pre-Sequel, released post-Borderlands 2, bridges the gap between the first two games. It follows new Vault Hunters Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on their mission to find a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. Offering more of what fans loved—new locales, classes, guns, bosses, and quests—it also fleshed out the backstory of Borderlands 2's antagonist, Handsome Jack. The game's expansions, including the Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new characters like the Doppelganger and the Baroness, enriched the experience further.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Borderlands 2, the sequel, launched in 2012, returning players to Pandora with a new squad—Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0—searching for a new Vault. Their quest is quickly complicated by the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who aims to thwart their ambitions. Stranded in an icy wasteland after a failed assassination attempt, the team sets out to uncover Jack's sinister plans and find the Vault. A more expansive take on the original, Borderlands 2 offers more quests, new classes, a charismatic villain, and an even larger arsenal of guns. It remains a fan favorite for its engaging story, memorable battles, and humor, supported by four additional campaigns, two new characters, and several Headhunter missions post-launch.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
The first full spin-off, Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, shifts focus from Vault Hunters to a crook, Rhys, and a corporate lackey, Fiona, caught in a grand adventure on Pandora. Set post-Borderlands 2, the story unfolds as Rhys and Fiona inadvertently team up in pursuit of a new Vault after a failed corporate scheme. The game emphasizes a cinematic, branching narrative with impactful choices, earning its place in the Borderlands canon with characters later appearing in Borderlands 3.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, while set in a fantasy world, remains a quintessential Borderlands game at its core. An expansion of the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, this game immerses players in the world of Bunkers and Badasses, led by the energetic dungeon master, Tiny Tina. Players face off against fantastical foes, embark on quests, and battle the Dragon Lord, all while enjoying the series' signature gunplay and humor. The game includes four DLCs, offering new dungeons, bosses, and gear.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
Seven years after Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3 introduced new Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—on a mission to stop the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, from harnessing vault power across the galaxy. Players journey across multiple planets, encountering familiar faces like Lilith, Rhys, and Claptrap. With its signature chaos, an abundance of guns, and new character classes, Borderlands 3 also offers extensive DLC, including four new campaigns and additional content that brings back cut material.
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—who stumble upon a vault and its precious artifact, drawing the attention of the Tediore corporation and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. As they uncover the artifact's powers, they navigate the dangers posed by Coldwell's pursuit. The game focuses on a branching narrative, with dialogue options, QTEs, and decisions that shape the adventure's outcome.
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 launch on September 23, 2025, marking the next big chapter in the series. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, studio head Randy Pitchford has hailed the sequel as the studio's greatest achievement yet. With Take-Two's focus on expanding the Borderlands universe, as noted by CEO Strauss Zelnick, fans can anticipate more frequent projects and potential growth opportunities for the franchise in the coming years.
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