Since its debut, Borderlands has swiftly become synonymous with the looter shooter genre, establishing itself as a cornerstone in modern video game culture. With its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and its iconic masked psycho, the franchise's irreverent, sci-fi world has captivated gamers worldwide. The series' expansion into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game showcases its evolution into a multimedia juggernaut.

This month marks a significant milestone for Borderlands, as it transitions to the big screen under the direction of Eli Roth, known for films like Hostel and Thanksgiving. The movie reimagines the planet Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, this cinematic leap is a pivotal moment 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. To help you get up to speed, we've compiled a comprehensive timeline of the Borderlands saga.

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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 part of the series' canon, alongside two smaller, non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.

Where's The Best Place to Start?

If you're looking to delve into the story, starting with Borderlands 1 is recommended. However, if the narrative isn't your primary concern, any of the mainline games can serve as an excellent introduction. The trilogy shares a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and all are accessible on modern consoles and PCs. For those eager to follow the saga's overarching story, beginning at the start is the ideal approach.

### Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition

8$29.99 save 70%$8.99 at Fanatical$16.80 at AmazonEvery Canon Borderlands Game in Chronological Order

These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Borderlands (2009)

Launched in 2009, the original Borderlands introduced us to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, four Vault Hunters on a quest for the legendary Vault on Pandora. Their journey turned into a whirlwind of chaos, battling the Crimson Lance, the planet's wildlife, and hordes of bandits. The game's success skyrocketed the looter shooter genre, offering a compelling mix of enemy takedowns, a vast arsenal of guns, and character development. Post-launch, it received four expansions, from zombie-infested islands to a playful take on Mad Max's Thunderdome.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)

Despite being released after Borderlands 2, The Pre-Sequel bridges the gap between the first two games. Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software, it follows new Vault Hunters Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on a mission to Elpis, Pandora's moon. The game expanded the familiar Borderlands formula with new locales, classes, and a deeper look into Handsome Jack's backstory, setting the stage for Borderlands 2. Post-launch expansions like Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with new playable characters, kept the game fresh and engaging.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

Borderlands 2 returned players to Pandora with a new crew of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their quest for a new Vault is hindered by the planet's ruthless overlord, Handsome Jack. The game expanded on the original's formula, offering more quests, new classes, and an even larger array of weapons. Widely regarded as one of the best in the series, Borderlands 2 featured a robust post-launch support with additional campaigns, characters, and missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

Telltale's Tales From The Borderlands offered a narrative-driven adventure set on Pandora, following Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they chase a vault key. This episodic game focused on branching storylines and player choices, becoming a crucial part of the Borderlands canon with its characters appearing in subsequent games.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

While Tiny Tina's Wonderlands might not look like a typical Borderlands game with its fantasy setting, it retains the core gameplay. Expanding on the Borderlands 2 DLC, Assault on Dragon Keep, it immerses players in a world inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, led by the enthusiastic Tiny Tina. With new classes, spells, and a wealth of content, including four DLCs, it offers a fresh take on the series.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Borderlands 3 introduced new Vault Hunters Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze on a mission to stop the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. The game expanded the universe to multiple planets, featuring familiar faces like Lilith and Claptrap. With a vast array of guns, new classes, and extensive DLC content, Borderlands 3 continued the series' tradition of chaotic fun.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

New Tales From The Borderlands introduced new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran, caught in a vault-related adventure with the Tediore corporation's CEO, Susan Coldwell. Focused on narrative and player choice, this game continued the tradition of branching storylines 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?