"Borderlands Games: How to Play in Timeline Order"

Quickly earning a reputation as the face of the looter shooter genre since its release, Borderlands has become one of gaming's most recognizable franchises. Known for its distinctive cel-shaded art style and its iconic masked psycho character, the series has carved out a significant niche in modern video game culture. Its influence extends beyond gaming, evolving into a multimedia phenomenon with comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.

This month marks a significant milestone as Borderlands makes its long-awaited debut on the big screen, directed by Eli Roth, known for films like Hostel and Thanksgiving. The film reintroduces Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this cinematic venture represents a major step forward for the franchise.

With Borderlands 4 set to launch later this year, both new and returning fans are eager to dive back into the series. To help everyone get up to speed, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the Borderlands saga.

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

Where's The Best Place to Start?

The simplest and arguably best starting point is Borderlands 1. However, if you're less concerned about the story, any of the three mainline games serve as a good introduction. The trilogy shares a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and all are available on modern consoles and PC. For those interested in the overarching narrative, especially after watching the movie, starting from the beginning is recommended.

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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 group of Vault Hunters on a treasure hunt across the volatile planet of Pandora. Their quest for the legendary Vault quickly turns into a chaotic adventure filled with battles against the Crimson Lance, Pandora's wildlife, and hordes of bandits. Borderlands became a massive hit, popularizing the looter shooter genre with its engaging gameplay loop of combat, gun collection, and character development. Post-launch, the game received four expansions, ranging from zombie-themed islands to a Mad Max-inspired Thunderdome.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)

Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's assistance, The Pre-Sequel, released after Borderlands 2, fills the narrative gap between the first two games. It follows new Vault Hunters Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on a mission to find a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. While offering more of the beloved Borderlands gameplay, it also delves deeper into the story of Borderlands 2, featuring Handsome Jack as a central character. The game explores Jack's descent into villainy and includes several expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

The official sequel, Borderlands 2, released in 2012, brings players back to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their quest for a new Vault is complicated by the planet's overlord, Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them. Stranded in an icy wasteland, they embark on a journey to uncover Jack's schemes and find the Vault. Borderlands 2 expanded on the original with more quests, new classes, and an even larger arsenal of guns. It's widely regarded as one of the best in the series, supported by four additional campaigns, two new characters, and several Headhunter missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

The first full spin-off, developed by Telltale Games, Tales From The Borderlands offers an episodic, story-driven adventure set on Pandora. It follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they get entangled in a quest for a new Vault. Unlike the mainline games, it focuses on narrative and moral choices, becoming a key part of the Borderlands canon with characters appearing in later games.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Gearbox Software's latest entry, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, shifts the setting to a fantasy kingdom but retains the core Borderlands gameplay. It expands on the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, with players entering the world of Bunkers and Badasses, guided by Tina. The game features a vast array of guns, classes, and enemies, along with new elements like spells and an overworld area. It includes four DLCs with new dungeons, bosses, and gear.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Seven years after Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3 introduces new Vault Hunters Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, tasked with stopping 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, supplemented by four new campaigns and additional content.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

The latest game in the chronological timeline, New Tales From The Borderlands introduces new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran. After discovering a vault and a powerful artifact, they find themselves pursued by the Tediore corporation. The game focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices, featuring dialogue options and QTE 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?

Borderlands 4 is the next major release, scheduled for September 23, 2025. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, Randy Pitchford, head of Gearbox, described it as "the greatest thing [the studio has] ever done." With Take-Two focusing on the franchise's growth potential, fans can expect more frequent projects in the Borderlands universe in the coming years.