The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter-shooter, has exploded in popularity since its debut, becoming a recognizable name in gaming. Its distinctive cel-shaded art style and iconic Psycho villain 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), bringing 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, both new and returning, are eager to revisit the series. To help, we've compiled a timeline to guide you through the Borderlands universe.
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Chronological Play Order | Release Order Play Order
AnswerSee ResultsBorderlands Game Count:
The Borderlands canon includes seven main games and spin-offs, plus two non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.
Best Starting Point:
While Borderlands 1 is the logical starting point, any of the three mainline games offer a solid introduction if story isn't your primary focus. The trilogy shares similar gameplay and style. However, for a cohesive narrative experience, beginning with the first game is recommended, especially after watching the film.
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Chronological Order of Canon Borderlands Games:
(Minor spoilers ahead)
1. Borderlands (2009):
The origin story. Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai hunt for the legendary Vault on Pandora, facing the Crimson Lance militia and the planet's dangers. Its innovative gameplay loop—killing enemies, collecting countless guns, and character progression—defined the looter-shooter genre. Four post-release expansions enhanced the experience.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014):
A prequel bridging the gap between the first two games. New Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—embark on a lunar mission to Elpis. It expands on Handsome Jack's backstory, showcasing his descent into villainy, and features characters and bosses from Borderlands 2. Several expansions followed its release.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012):
The direct sequel, returning to Pandora with new Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. They confront the tyrannical Handsome Jack, uncovering his schemes while searching for a new Vault. Considered by many as the best in the series, it features an enhanced experience with more quests, characters, and weapons. Post-release content included campaigns, characters, and missions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015):
A Telltale Games episodic adventure. Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, unexpectedly embark on a Vault-related adventure after a deal gone wrong. Its branching narrative and moral choices significantly impact the story. Characters from this game appear in Borderlands 3, solidifying its canon status.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022):
A fantasy-themed spin-off based on the Borderlands 2 DLC. Players enter the Bunkers & Badasses tabletop game world, guided by Tiny Tina. While the setting differs, the core Borderlands gameplay remains, featuring fantasy creatures, quests, and a vast arsenal of weapons. Four DLC expansions were released.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019):
The third mainline entry introduces Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze. They must stop the murderous siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, who are exploiting Vaults across the galaxy. The game features multiple planets to explore and reunions with familiar characters. Extensive DLC content followed its release.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022):
The sequel to Tales From The Borderlands, featuring new protagonists: Anu, Octavio, and Fran. Their discovery of a Vault artifact puts them in the crosshairs of Tediore and its CEO, Susan Coldwell. The narrative focuses on player choices and their consequences.
Release Order of Borderlands Games:
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. Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two suggests a bright future for the franchise, with significant growth potential. More Borderlands content is anticipated in the coming years.
