Borderlands Series: How to Play in Timeline Order

Borderlands has quickly solidified its status as a leading figure in the looter shooter genre since its debut. Known for its unique cel-shaded visuals and iconic masked psycho character, the series has not only captivated gamers but also expanded into a broader multimedia universe, including comics, novels, and a tabletop game. This expansion continues with a significant milestone this month as Borderlands makes its grand entrance into cinema, directed by Eli Roth of "Hostel" and "Thanksgiving" fame. The film introduces Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to a new audience, marking a pivotal moment for the franchise despite mixed reviews.

With the announcement of Borderlands 4 slated for later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to dive back into the series. To help you navigate the expansive world of Borderlands, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the series, detailing how each game fits into the broader narrative.

Jump to:

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

Where's The Best Place to Start?

If you're interested in the overarching narrative, starting with Borderlands 1 is the most straightforward choice. However, if the story isn't your primary concern, any of the three mainline games can serve as an excellent introduction. All three entries in the trilogy share similar styles, scopes, and gameplay mechanics and are available on modern consoles and PCs. For those who want to follow the saga as intended, beginning at the start is the way to go.

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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 launched the franchise, Borderlands, debuted in 2009, introducing players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai—a quartet of Vault Hunters embarking on a thrilling treasure hunt on the chaotic planet of Pandora. Their quest for The Vault, a legendary bunker rumored to hold immense treasures, plunges them into a whirlwind of battles against the Crimson Lance militia, Pandora's wild creatures, and hordes of bandits. Borderlands became a sensation, pioneering the looter shooter genre with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy takedowns, gun discovery, and character development. The game received extensive post-launch support, including four expansions that ventured into zombie-infested islands and a playful nod to 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 and second games. Set on Elpis, Pandora's moon, players control new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they seek another Vault. While offering more of the familiar Borderlands formula with new environments and classes, The Pre-Sequel stands out for its deep dive into the backstory of Borderlands 2's antagonist, Handsome Jack. The game explores Jack's rise to power and his descent into villainy, featuring characters from the sequel years before their roles. Post-launch, it received expansions like the 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, returns players to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their mission to find a new Vault is complicated by the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them early on, leaving them stranded in a frozen wasteland. The game follows their journey to uncover Jack's sinister plans and thwart him while searching for the Vault. Borderlands 2 expands on the original's formula, offering more quests, new classes, and an even larger arsenal of guns. Widely regarded as the best in the series, it boasts a compelling story, engaging combat, and the franchise's signature humor, supported by four additional campaigns, two bonus characters, and several Headhunter missions post-launch.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, offers a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora. Focusing on a crook, Rhys, and a con artist, Fiona, the story unfolds after the events of Borderlands 2. Their paths cross when Rhys attempts to steal a vault key, leading to an unexpected partnership and a quest for a new Vault. Unlike the mainline games, Tales emphasizes storytelling and moral choices, which significantly impact the plot. This spin-off has become a crucial part of the Borderlands canon, with its characters reappearing in Borderlands 3.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands introduces a fantasy twist to the Borderlands universe, set within the game-within-a-game, Bunkers and Badasses. Led by the enthusiastic Tiny Tina as the dungeon master, players explore a world filled with dragons, goblins, and unicorns. Despite the new setting, it retains the core Borderlands gameplay with a vast array of guns, classes, and enemies, along with new elements like an overworld and spell-casting. The game has received four DLCs, expanding the adventure with new dungeons, bosses, and gear.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Borderlands 3, launched in 2019, introduces a new cast of Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—as they chase down the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, across multiple planets. Players work to thwart the twins' mysterious plans, encountering familiar faces like Lilith, Rhys, Maya, Brick, Zer0, and Claptrap. The game continues the franchise's tradition of intense looter shooter action, offering a plethora of guns, enemies, and new classes to master. Post-launch, Borderlands 3 has seen four new campaigns, takedown missions, and additional content through designer and director cuts.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

New Tales From The Borderlands continues the narrative-focused approach of its predecessor, following new characters Anu, Octavio, and Fran. Their adventure begins after discovering a vault and a powerful artifact, drawing the ire of Tediore's CEO, Susan Coldwell. As they uncover the artifact's secrets, they must evade Coldwell's pursuit. The game focuses on a branching storyline influenced by player choices, featuring dialogue options, QTE combat, and critical decisions that shape the narrative'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?

Looking ahead, Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 23, 2025, marking the next major chapter in the series. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, studio head Randy Pitchford has expressed high expectations, stating that "It's the greatest thing [the studio has] ever done." With Take-Two's focus on expanding the franchise, as highlighted by CEO Strauss Zelnick, the future looks bright for more adventures on Pandora and beyond.