Since its debut, Borderlands has swiftly earned its stripes as a leading name in the looter shooter genre, becoming a staple of modern gaming culture. Known for its vibrant, cel-shaded art and the iconic, masked psycho character, the franchise's unique blend of humor, sci-fi, and action has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. But Borderlands isn't just stopping at video games; it's expanding its universe through comics, novels, and even a tabletop game, turning into a multimedia powerhouse.
This month marks a significant milestone for the franchise with the release of the much-anticipated Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth of "Hostel" and "Thanksgiving" fame. The film brings the wild world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to the big screen, aiming to attract a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this cinematic venture is a monumental step forward for the series.
As we look forward to the release of Borderlands 4 later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to dive back into the saga. To help you get up to speed, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline of the series, ensuring you're fully prepared for what's next.
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Answer See Results 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?
If you're looking to dive into the Borderlands universe, starting with the original Borderlands game is highly recommended, especially if you're interested in the overarching story. However, if gameplay is your priority, any of the three mainline games will provide an excellent introduction to the series.
The trilogy's games share a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and are all accessible on modern consoles and PC. For those intrigued by the narrative after watching the movie, beginning with the first game will ensure you experience the saga in its intended order.
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, released in 2009, introduced players to the world of Pandora and the Vault Hunters: Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai. Their quest for the legendary Vault, rumored to contain untold riches, quickly spirals into chaos as they battle the Crimson Lance, Pandora's savage wildlife, and ruthless bandits.
Borderlands was a smash hit, pioneering the looter shooter genre with its addictive gameplay loop of eliminating enemies, collecting an array of guns, and developing your character. Post-launch, the game was further enriched with four expansions, ranging from zombie-infested islands to a humorous take on Mad Max's Thunderdome.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's assistance, The Pre-Sequel, despite its later release, is set between the first two Borderlands games. It follows new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they hunt for a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon.
This game expanded the Borderlands universe with new locations, classes, and the familiar gameplay fans adored. Its primary allure was deepening the lore surrounding Borderlands 2, particularly through the character of Handsome Jack, the sequel's antagonist. The Pre-Sequel also included expansions like the Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters: the Doppelganger and the Baroness.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Borderlands 2, the direct sequel released in 2012, brought players back to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their mission to find another Vault is immediately jeopardized by Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them.
Left to fend for themselves, the team unravels Jack's sinister plans while seeking the Vault. This sequel expanded on the original with more quests, new character classes, and an even greater arsenal of weapons. Widely regarded as the best in the series, Borderlands 2 was supported post-launch with four campaign expansions, two new characters, and several Headhunter missions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Telltale Games brought their storytelling prowess to the Borderlands universe with Tales From The Borderlands, a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora. Instead of focusing on Vault Hunters, this game follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they navigate a quest for a Vault key.
The game's emphasis on choice-driven, branching storylines has made it a significant part of the Borderlands canon, with characters from Tales appearing in later entries like Borderlands 3.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, the latest addition to the franchise, swaps Pandora's wastelands for a fantasy realm inspired by the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep. As players explore the world of Bunkers and Badasses, they tackle quests and battle mythical creatures under the guidance of the enthusiastic dungeon master, Tiny Tina.
While the setting differs, the core gameplay of finding guns, mastering classes, and fighting enemies remains intact. The game also includes four DLCs, offering new challenges, bosses, and gear.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
After a seven-year wait, Borderlands 3 arrived in 2019, introducing new Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—on a mission to stop the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. The game expands the universe beyond Pandora, sending players across multiple planets.
Filled with the series' trademark chaos, Borderlands 3 offers a vast array of weapons, new classes, and extensive post-launch content, including four new campaigns, takedown missions, and special cuts featuring previously unseen content.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
The latest chronological entry, New Tales From The Borderlands, introduces fresh characters: Anu, Octavio, and Fran. Their journey begins after discovering a vault and a powerful artifact, drawing the ire of the Tediore corporation.
Like its predecessor, this game focuses on a narrative that evolves with player choices, featuring dialogue options, QTEs, 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) What's Next For Borderlands?
The next big release, Borderlands 4, is slated for September 23, 2025. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, studio head Randy Pitchford has teased that this sequel is the "greatest thing [the studio has] ever done."With Take-Two's focus on the franchise's potential for growth, it seems the Borderlands universe is set to expand even further in the coming years. We'll keep you updated on what's in store for Pandora and beyond.
