Play Borderlands Games in Timeline Order: A Guide

Since its debut, Borderlands has quickly become the emblematic face of the looter shooter genre, evolving into one of the most recognizable franchises in gaming. Its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the iconic masked psycho character have cemented its place in modern video game culture. Beyond gaming, Borderlands has expanded into a multimedia phenomenon, branching out into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.

This month marks a significant milestone as Borderlands makes its much-anticipated leap to the big screen under the direction of Eli Roth, known for films like Hostel and Thanksgiving. The movie reimagines the world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this cinematic venture represents a crucial expansion 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 refresh their memories of its origins. To help you get up to speed, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the series, detailing how each game fits into the broader narrative.

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

Where's The Best Place to Start?

For those new to the series, starting with Borderlands 1 offers a solid foundation, though any of the three mainline games can serve as a good entry point if you're less concerned with the overarching narrative. All three games in the trilogy share similar styles, scopes, and gameplay mechanics, and are readily available on modern consoles and PC. For fans interested in the complete story arc, beginning with the first game is the recommended approach.

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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 players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai—a quartet of Vault Hunters on a thrilling treasure hunt. Set on the volatile planet of Pandora, their mission is to uncover The Vault, rumored to contain untold riches. Their journey is fraught with chaos, pitting them against the Crimson Lance militia, Pandora's ferocious wildlife, and hordes of bandits. Borderlands' success propelled the looter shooter genre to new heights, with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy takedowns, gun collection, and character development. Post-launch, the game received 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, players control new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they seek another Vault. While offering more of the beloved Borderlands experience with new classes, guns, and bosses, the game's main draw is its deeper dive into the story of Borderlands 2, particularly the rise of its antagonist, Handsome Jack. The game's expansions, including the Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters like the Doppelganger and the Baroness, enriched the experience.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

Borderlands 2, released in 2012, brings players back to Pandora with a new group of Vault Hunters—Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their quest for a new Vault is met with resistance from the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who tries to eliminate them early on. Surviving his attack, the team embarks on a journey to uncover Jack's sinister plans and find the Vault. Borderlands 2 expands on the original's formula, offering more quests, classes, and an even greater variety of guns. Widely regarded as the best in the series, it also received extensive post-launch content, including four campaigns, two additional characters, and several Headhunter missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, offers a narrative-driven spin-off set on Pandora. Instead of focusing on Vault Hunters, it follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they inadvertently embark on a quest for a Vault after a botched deal. The episodic format emphasizes a branching story influenced by player choices. This game has become a crucial part of the Borderlands canon, with its characters appearing in subsequent titles.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, while set in a fantasy realm, retains the core elements of Borderlands. Inspired by the popular Borderlands 2 DLC, Assault on Dragon Keep, players enter a world akin to Dungeons and Dragons, guided by the enthusiastic Tiny Tina. The game features a vast array of guns, classes, and enemies, alongside new elements like an overworld and spell-casting. It also includes four DLCs with additional dungeons, bosses, and gear.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Borderlands 3, released in 2019, introduces new Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—as they confront the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. The game spans multiple planets, featuring familiar characters like Lilith and Claptrap. It offers extensive looter shooter action, with numerous guns, enemies, and new classes to master. Post-launch content includes four campaigns, takedown missions, and additional cuts featuring previously unseen content.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

New Tales From The Borderlands continues the narrative focus of its predecessor, introducing new protagonists—Anu, Octavio, and Fran. After discovering a valuable artifact in a Vault, they become targets of the Tediore corporation and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. The game emphasizes player-driven story choices, dialogue options, and QTE combat 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?