Since its debut, **Borderlands** has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the looter shooter genre, evolving into one of gaming's most iconic franchises. With its distinctive cel-shaded graphics and memorable characters like the masked psycho, Borderlands has carved out a unique, irreverent sci-fi world that's become a beloved part of video game culture. The franchise has expanded beyond gaming, branching into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game, showcasing its widespread appeal.

This month marks a significant milestone for the series with the release of the much-anticipated **Borderlands** movie, directed by Eli Roth of *Hostel* and *Thanksgiving* fame. The film reimagines the world of Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants for a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, the movie represents a major step forward for the franchise.

With **Borderlands 4** slated for release later this year, both new and veteran 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 saga.

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

Where's The Best Place to Start?

For those interested in the overarching narrative, starting with Borderlands 1 is recommended. However, if you're primarily interested in gameplay, any of the mainline trilogy games offers a great introduction. The core trilogy shares similar styles, scope, and gameplay mechanics, and all are available 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 Borderlands game launched in 2009, introducing players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, four Vault Hunters on a quest to uncover the legendary Vault on the perilous planet of Pandora. Their journey quickly turns into a chaotic adventure as they battle the Crimson Lance, fend off Pandora's wildlife, and confront ruthless bandits. This game not only launched the looter shooter genre but also captivated players with its endless array of guns and engaging gameplay loop. Post-launch, it received four expansions, ranging from zombie-themed islands to a humorous take on Mad Max's Thunderdome.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)

Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's support, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel bridges the narrative gap between the first two games. Set on the moon of Elpis, players control new Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—as they seek another Vault. This game not only expands on the beloved Borderlands formula with new settings and classes but also deepens the lore by exploring the backstory of Borderlands 2's antagonist, Handsome Jack. Post-launch, it received several expansions, including the Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, along with two new playable characters.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

Borderlands 2 returns players to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters: Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0, on a quest to uncover another Vault. Their journey pits them against the planet's ruler, the sadistic Handsome Jack, who attempts to eliminate them early on. The game expands on the original with more quests, new classes, a compelling villain, and an even larger arsenal of guns. Widely regarded as a high point in the series, Borderlands 2 received extensive post-launch support with additional campaigns, characters, and missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, offers a narrative-driven spin-off set on Pandora. The story follows Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they become entangled in a quest for a Vault after a botched deal. This game focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices, becoming a significant part of the Borderlands canon with its characters appearing in subsequent titles.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands shifts the series' setting from Pandora's deserts to a fantasy realm, inspired by the popular Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep. Players enter the world of Bunkers and Badasses, guided by the energetic Tiny Tina, to battle fantasy creatures and complete quests. While maintaining the core Borderlands gameplay, it introduces new elements like spells and an overworld area, supported by several DLCs.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Borderlands 3 brings players a new adventure across multiple planets to stop the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. With a fresh cast of Vault Hunters—Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze—players team up with familiar faces like Lilith and Claptrap. The game continues the series' tradition of chaotic looter shooter action, supported by extensive DLC content including new campaigns and director's cuts.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

New Tales From The Borderlands follows new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran as they navigate the consequences of discovering a vault artifact. Pursued by the Tediore corporation and its CEO Susan Coldwell, they explore the artifact's powers. Like its predecessor, the game focuses on a branching narrative influenced by player choices.

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

What's Next For Borderlands?

Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 23, 2025, following Gearbox Software's acquisition by Take-Two. Randy Pitchford, head of Gearbox, has hinted that this sequel will be their most ambitious project yet. With Take-Two's focus on expanding the Borderlands universe, fans can expect more frequent releases and further exploration of Pandora in the future.