Since its debut, Borderlands has quickly established itself as the quintessential looter shooter, becoming a household name in gaming. Its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and the iconic masked psycho character have cemented its place in modern video game culture. But Borderlands isn't content to just be a gaming franchise; it's 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, directed by Eli Roth of Hostel and Thanksgiving fame. The film reimagines Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a new audience. Although it received mixed reviews, this adaptation is a monumental step for the franchise.
With the announcement of Borderlands 4 set for release 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 series.
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How Many Borderlands Games Are There?
There are currently seven Borderlands games and spin-offs considered 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 new to the series or looking to revisit it, starting with Borderlands 1 is recommended for those interested in the overarching story. However, if the narrative isn't your primary focus, any of the three mainline games serve as an excellent entry point. They share a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and are all accessible on modern consoles and PC.
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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 inaugural game that launched the series, Borderlands (2009) introduced players to the chaotic world of Pandora. Follow the adventures of Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, four Vault Hunters on a quest to uncover The Vault, a legendary bunker rumored to contain untold riches. Their journey is fraught with battles against the Crimson Lance, encounters with Pandora's wild creatures, and confrontations with ruthless bandits. The game's success catapulted the looter shooter genre into prominence, fueled by its engaging gameplay loop of combat, exploration, and loot collection. Post-launch, it received 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, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014) fills the narrative gap between the first two games. It introduces new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they search for a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. While offering more of the beloved Borderlands experience, the game also delves into the backstory of Borderlands 2's antagonist, Handsome Jack, showing his descent into villainy. The Pre-Sequel includes expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters such as the Doppelganger and the Baroness.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012)
Borderlands 2 (2012) takes players back to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their mission to find another Vault is thwarted by the planet's tyrannical ruler, Handsome Jack, who tries to eliminate them early on. Surviving his initial attack, the group embarks on a quest to uncover Jack's sinister plans and claim the Vault. This sequel expanded on the original game's formula with more quests, new character classes, and an even larger arsenal of guns. Widely regarded as the best in the series, Borderlands 2 also received extensive post-launch support, including four additional campaigns, new characters, and several Headhunter missions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)
Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, offers a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora. Unlike the mainline games, it focuses on Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, whose paths cross after a vault key deal goes awry. Their journey unfolds post-Borderlands 2, weaving a tale of corporate intrigue and personal redemption. This episodic series emphasizes player choices that significantly impact the storyline, and its characters have since become integral to the Borderlands universe, appearing in subsequent games.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022) transports players from Pandora's wastelands to a fantasy realm inspired by the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep. As players navigate this world of Bunkers and Badasses, they engage in epic quests under the guidance of the energetic dungeon master, Tiny Tina. While the setting shifts to a fantasy landscape filled with dragons and goblins, the core gameplay remains true to the series, featuring an extensive array of weapons, classes, and enemies. The game also introduces new elements like an overworld area and spell-casting, with four DLCs offering additional content.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019)
Borderlands 3 (2019) introduces a new cast of Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—who are tasked with stopping the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, from exploiting the power of the vaults. The game expands the universe beyond Pandora, allowing players to explore multiple planets. Along the way, they encounter familiar faces such as Lilith, Rhys, Maya, Brick, Zer0, and Claptrap. Borderlands 3 continues the series' tradition of chaotic looter shooter action, with numerous guns, enemies, and character classes to master. The game's DLCs add four new campaigns, takedown missions, and even resurrect content left on the cutting room floor.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)
New Tales From The Borderlands (2022) continues the narrative-driven approach of its predecessor, focusing on new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran. After discovering a valuable artefact in a vault, the trio becomes targets of the Tediore corporation and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. Their journey is filled with tough decisions and branching storylines that evolve based on player choices, offering a fresh take on the series' storytelling.
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 major release for the series is Borderlands 4, slated for September 23, 2025. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, the studio's head, Randy Pitchford, has described the upcoming sequel as "the greatest thing [the studio has] ever done." With Take-Two's focus on expanding the franchise, the future looks bright for more adventures on Pandora and beyond.
