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

The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter-shooter, has rapidly become a gaming icon. Its distinctive cel-shaded art style and memorable characters, like the Psycho, have cemented its place in modern video game culture. The franchise's success extends beyond gaming, encompassing comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.

This year marks a significant milestone: the Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth (Hostel, Thanksgiving), brings Pandora and its inhabitants to the big screen. Despite mixed reviews, the film represents a major achievement for the franchise.

With Borderlands 4 slated for release in 2025, many fans—new and returning—will likely want to revisit the series. This timeline provides a comprehensive guide to the Borderlands games, ensuring you're up-to-date on the overarching narrative.

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Chronological Play Order | Release Order Play Order

Will you see the Borderlands movie in theaters?

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How Many Borderlands Games Exist?

Seven main Borderlands games and spin-offs are canon, plus two smaller, non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.

Where to Begin?

While Borderlands 1 is the logical starting point, any of the three main games offer a solid introduction if story isn't a primary concern. The trilogy shares a similar style and gameplay, and all are available on modern platforms. However, for a cohesive narrative experience, especially after watching the movie, starting with the first game is recommended.

Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition

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Canon Borderlands Games in Chronological Order:

(Minor spoilers ahead)

1. Borderlands (2009):

The original Borderlands introduces Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, four Vault Hunters searching for the legendary Vault on Pandora. Their quest leads to encounters with the Crimson Lance militia, hostile wildlife, and numerous bandits. The game's success established the looter-shooter genre. Post-release expansions added significant content.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014):

Set between the first two main games, The Pre-Sequel follows Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on a mission to Elpis, Pandora's moon. It features Handsome Jack prominently, showcasing his descent into villainy and connecting to Borderlands 2. Post-release expansions added new content and characters.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012):

Borderlands 2 returns to Pandora with new Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. They confront the tyrannical Handsome Jack, leading to a thrilling adventure across the planet. Considered by many as the best in the series, it expands on the original's formula with more quests, characters, and weaponry. Numerous post-release expansions enriched the experience.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015):

A Telltale Games episodic adventure, Tales From The Borderlands shifts focus from Vault Hunters to Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, who unexpectedly find themselves on a quest for a new Vault. Its story-driven gameplay and impactful choices have earned it canonical status within the Borderlands universe.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022):

A fantasy-themed spin-off, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, expands on the Borderlands 2 DLC, "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep." While the setting changes, the core looter-shooter gameplay remains. It introduces new mechanics, such as spellcasting and an overworld, alongside its own set of expansions.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019):

Borderlands 3 introduces Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, tasked with stopping the villainous siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. For the first time, the game takes players beyond Pandora to multiple planets. It features many returning characters and a wealth of post-release content.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022):

A sequel to Tales From The Borderlands, New Tales features a new cast: Anu, Octavio, and Fran. Their adventure involves a valuable artifact and a confrontation with the Tediore corporation. The story-driven gameplay with branching narratives continues the tradition of the original Tales game.

Borderlands Games 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 Wonderlands (2022) New Tales From The Borderlands (2022) Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball (2023) Borderlands 4 (2025)

The Future of Borderlands:

Borderlands 4, set for release on September 23, 2025, is the next major installment. Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox Software suggests a bright future for the franchise, with potential for more frequent releases and expanded media.