Since its release, *Borderlands* has rapidly become the poster child of the looter shooter genre, cementing itself as a household name in gaming. With its distinctive cel-shaded art style and the iconic masked psycho character, the series has carved out a unique, irreverent sci-fi universe that's become a cornerstone of contemporary video game culture. The franchise has since expanded beyond gaming, venturing into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game, turning it into a full-blown multimedia phenomenon.

This month marks a significant milestone as Borderlands finally leaps to the silver screen under the direction of Eli Roth, known for films like Hostel and Thanksgiving. Roth brings Pandora and its vault-obsessed inhabitants to life, aiming to captivate a new audience. Although the film received mixed reviews, its release 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 and explore its origins. To help you get up to speed, we've crafted a comprehensive timeline of the Borderlands series.

Jump to:

• 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 canon to the series, and two smaller, non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.

Where's The Best Place to Start?

The most straightforward answer is to start with Borderlands 1. However, if you're less concerned about the narrative, any of the three mainline games serve as a solid introduction. The trilogy shares a similar style, scope, and gameplay, and all are readily available on modern consoles and PC. For those interested in the overarching story, beginning with the first game is the recommended approach, especially if you're coming off the movie.

### 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)

Borderlands kicked off the saga in 2009, introducing players to Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, a quartet of Vault Hunters on a quest for the legendary Vault on Pandora. Their journey quickly devolves into chaos, as they clash with the Crimson Lance, battle the planet's ferocious wildlife, and slaughter waves of bandits. The game's success launched the looter shooter genre, captivating players with its addictive gameplay loop of combat, loot collection, and character progression. Post-launch, Borderlands received four expansions, ranging from zombie-infested islands to a humorous take on Mad Max's Thunderdome.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)

Set between the first two Borderlands games, The Pre-Sequel was developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox Software's help. It follows new Vault Hunters Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap as they search for a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. While offering familiar gameplay, the game introduced fresh classes and a new setting. Its key narrative contribution was exploring the backstory of Borderlands 2's antagonist, Handsome Jack, showing his descent into villainy. The game also came with expansions like the Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage, plus two new playable characters.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012)

Borderlands 2 brought players back to Pandora in 2012, introducing new Vault Hunters Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0. Their mission to find another Vault is complicated by Handsome Jack, the planet's tyrannical ruler, who tries to eliminate them early on. The game expands on the original with more quests, new classes, and a larger world, all while maintaining the series' signature humor. It's widely regarded as the best in the series, supported by four additional campaigns, two new characters, and several Headhunter missions.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014 - 2015)

Tales From The Borderlands, developed by Telltale Games, is the first major spin-off. Set after Borderlands 2, 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 narrative choice and branching storylines, and its characters have since become integral to the Borderlands canon, appearing in Borderlands 3.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands swaps the desert wastelands for a fantasy kingdom but retains the core Borderlands gameplay. It expands on the popular Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, with Tina as the Dungeon Master in a world inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. Players explore an overworld, battle fantasy creatures, and use spells, with four DLCs adding new content.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019)

Borderlands 3 arrived in 2019, introducing new Vault Hunters Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze. Players embark on a galaxy-spanning adventure to stop the siren twins Troy and Tyreen, visiting multiple planets and reuniting with familiar characters. The game offers the expected looter shooter action, with numerous guns, enemies, and character classes, supplemented by four new campaigns and additional content.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022)

New Tales From The Borderlands is the latest addition to the series, focusing on new protagonists Anu, Octavio, and Fran. After discovering a valuable artefact in a Vault, they become targets of the Tediore corporation. The game continues the tradition of choice-driven storytelling, with dialogue options and decisions shaping the narrative.

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?