How to Play the Borderlands Games (and Spin-Offs) in Timeline Order

Quickly earning a reputation as the face of the looter shooter genre since its release, Borderlands has truly become one of gaming's most recognizable franchises. From its iconic cel-shaded art style to its masked psycho poster child, the franchise's foul-mouthed, tongue-in-cheek sci-fi universe has become a staple of modern video game culture. The series has since expanded into a multimedia phenomenon, branching out into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.

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

With Borderlands 4 set to release later this year, both new and returning fans are likely eager to dive back into the series and reacquaint themselves with its origins. To help you get up to speed, we've compiled a detailed timeline of the series, including how to play the games in both chronological and release order.

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

Where's The Best Place to Start?

Arguably, the best starting point is Borderlands 1, especially if you're interested in the overarching story. However, if the narrative isn't your primary concern, 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 who want to follow the saga as intended, starting from the beginning 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 started it all, Borderlands launched in 2009, introducing players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai—a group of four "Vault Hunters" embarking on a treasure hunt on the volatile planet of Pandora. Their quest for the legendary Vault quickly turns into a chaotic adventure, pitting them against the Crimson Lance militia, Pandora's savage wildlife, and hordes of bandits. Borderlands was a massive hit, catapulting the looter shooter genre to fame with its addictive gameplay loop of enemy elimination, gun collection, and character development. The game received four expansions post-launch, ranging from zombie-themed islands to a playful 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, despite launching after Borderlands 2, fills the narrative gap between the first two games. It follows new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they search for a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. The game offers more of what fans love about Borderlands, with new locales, classes, guns, and boss fights. It also delves deeper into the story of Borderlands 2, featuring Handsome Jack as a central character and exploring his descent into madness. Post-launch, the game received expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with two new playable characters: the Doppelganger and the Baroness.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

The official sequel, Borderlands 2, released in 2012, brings players back to Pandora with a new squad of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their mission to find a new Vault is complicated by the planet's overlord, the sadistic Handsome Jack, who attempts to kill them. Stranded in an icy wasteland, the team embarks on a quest to uncover Jack's schemes and find the Vault. Borderlands 2 expanded on the original with more quests, new classes, a charismatic villain, and an even larger arsenal of guns. It's widely regarded as the best in the series, offering a compelling story, memorable combat, and the franchise's signature humor. The game was supported with four additional campaigns, two bonus characters, and several Headhunter missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

The first full spin-off, Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, offers an episodic, story-focused adventure set on Pandora. Instead of focusing on Vault Hunters, it follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they get entangled in a quest for a new Vault. The game emphasizes a branching, cinematic narrative with moral choices that impact the story. Tales From The Borderlands has since been recognized as a crucial part of the Borderlands canon, with its characters appearing in Borderlands 3.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Gearbox Software's latest entry, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, shifts the setting from futuristic wastelands to a fantasy kingdom. Despite the change, it remains a Borderlands game at heart, inspired by the beloved Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep. Players enter the world of Bunkers and Badasses, guided by the enthusiastic dungeon master, Tiny Tina. The game features a vast array of guns, classes, and enemies, along with new elements like an overworld and spell-casting. It also includes four DLCs with new dungeons, bosses, and gear.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Seven years after Borderlands 2, Gearbox Software released Borderlands 3 in 2019, introducing new Vault Hunters: Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze. Players embark on a mission to stop the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, who are harnessing vault powers across the galaxy. The game expands the universe by allowing players to visit multiple planets, teaming up with familiar characters like Lilith, Rhys, Maya, Brick, Zer0, and Claptrap. Borderlands 3 offers the expected looter shooter chaos, with numerous guns, enemies, and new classes. It also includes four new campaigns, takedown missions, and additional content through designer and director cuts.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

Gearbox Software's follow-up to Tales From The Borderlands, New Tales From The Borderlands, is the latest game in the chronological timeline. It introduces new protagonists: Anu, Octavio, and Fran, who find themselves in possession of a powerful artifact after stumbling into a vault. Their adventure pits them against the Tediore corporation and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. Like its predecessor, the game focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices, featuring dialogue options, QTE fight sequences, 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?

Borderlands 4 is the next major release, scheduled for September 23, 2025. Following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two, studio head Randy Pitchford described the sequel as "the greatest thing [the studio has] ever done." With Take-Two focusing on the franchise's potential growth, it seems that more projects in the Borderlands universe are on the horizon, promising more adventures on Pandora and beyond.