Play Borderlands Games in Timeline Order: A Guide

Since its debut, Borderlands has swiftly earned its stripes as the poster child for the looter shooter genre, becoming one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. With its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the infamous masked psycho character, the series' irreverent and humorous sci-fi universe has deeply entrenched itself within modern gaming culture. But Borderlands isn't just resting on its laurels; it's expanding into a full-blown multimedia phenomenon, branching out into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.

This month marks a significant milestone as Borderlands finally leaps to the big screen under the direction of Eli Roth, known for films like Hostel and Thanksgiving. The movie reimagines Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a fresh audience. Despite mixed reviews, the film's release is a pivotal moment for the franchise.

With Borderlands 4 slated for release later this year, both new and veteran fans are eager to revisit the saga's origins. To help you get up to speed, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline of the series.

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, along with two non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.

Where's The Best Place to Start?

For those eager to dive into the narrative, starting with Borderlands 1 is the way to go. However, if you're more interested in gameplay than story, any of the trilogy's mainline entries offer a solid introduction. The three core games share a similar style, scope, and gameplay mechanics, and are all accessible on modern consoles and PC. For a full appreciation of the overarching story, starting from the beginning is highly recommended.

### Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition

8$29.99 save 70%$8.99 at Fanatical$16.80 at AmazonEvery Canon Borderlands Game in Chronological Order

These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Borderlands (2009)

This is where it all began. Launched in 2009, the first Borderlands game introduced us to four Vault Hunters—Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai—embarking on a thrilling treasure hunt on the chaotic planet of Pandora. Their quest for the legendary Vault leads them into a whirlwind of combat against the Crimson Lance militia, the planet's wild creatures, and ruthless bandits. Borderlands not only launched the looter shooter genre but also captivated players with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy slaying, gun collecting, and character development. Post-launch, it received four expansions, ranging from zombie-themed 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, The Pre-Sequel bridges the gap between the first two Borderlands games, despite being released after Borderlands 2. Set on the moon of Elpis, it follows new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they search for another Vault. While retaining the series' beloved gameplay, The Pre-Sequel introduced new settings and classes. It also fleshed out the backstory of Borderlands 2's main antagonist, Handsome Jack, showcasing his descent into villainy. Post-launch, it received expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with two new playable characters.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

Returning to Pandora, Borderlands 2 introduced a new crew of Vault Hunters—Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0—in their quest for a new Vault. Their journey is complicated by the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them early on. As they navigate Pandora, they uncover Jack's sinister plans and strive to stop him. This sequel expanded on the original's formula, offering more quests, classes, and an even larger array of guns. Widely regarded as the series' best installment, it also received extensive post-launch support, including four campaigns, two new characters, and several Headhunter missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

Developed by Telltale Games, this spin-off dives into a story-driven adventure on Pandora. Instead of focusing on Vault Hunters, it follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they become entangled in a vault key heist. Set post-Borderlands 2, the game's narrative evolves through player choices, offering a branching storyline that has since become a crucial part of the Borderlands canon, with characters reappearing in Borderlands 3.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Though it may seem different with its fantasy setting, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is unmistakably a 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, guided by the exuberant Tiny Tina. Players battle fantasy creatures, embark on quests, and confront the Dragon Lord, all while enjoying the series' signature gunplay and loot system, complemented by new elements like spells and an overworld area.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

After a seven-year hiatus, Borderlands 3 reintroduced players to Pandora and beyond, featuring new Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—as they combat the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. This installment expanded the universe to multiple planets, reintroducing beloved characters like Lilith and Claptrap. Offering the quintessential Borderlands experience with new classes, an abundance of guns, and extensive DLC content, including four campaigns and special takedowns, Borderlands 3 continued to push the franchise's boundaries.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

As the latest entry in the chronological timeline, New Tales From The Borderlands introduces new protagonists—Anu, Octavio, and Fran—caught in a vault-related adventure that pits them against the Tediore corporation. Like its predecessor, this game focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices, offering a mix of 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)

What's Next For Borderlands?