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

Borderlands: A Franchise Timeline and Guide for New and Returning Fans

The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter shooter, has expanded beyond video games, branching into comics, novels, and even a movie. This month marks a significant milestone with the release of the Borderlands film. With Borderlands 4 on the horizon, now's the perfect time to revisit or discover this acclaimed series. This guide outlines the games in both chronological and release order, helping you navigate this expansive universe.

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How Many Borderlands Games Are There?

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

Where to Start?

While Borderlands 1 is the ideal starting point for a complete narrative experience, any of the three main games offer a solid introduction to the gameplay. All three are available on modern platforms.

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Borderlands Games in Chronological Order:

(Minor spoilers ahead)

1. Borderlands (2009): The original game introduces Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai as they hunt for the legendary Vault on Pandora, battling the Crimson Lance and the planet's dangerous creatures. The game's success launched the looter shooter genre and featured several post-release expansions.

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2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014): A prequel bridging the gap between the first two main games, this installment follows Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on a mission to Elpis, Pandora's moon. It features Handsome Jack prominently, showcasing his descent into villainy. Expansions added post-launch content and characters.

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3. Borderlands 2 (2012): The direct sequel returns to Pandora with new Vault Hunters facing the tyrannical Handsome Jack. This expanded entry features more quests, classes, and, of course, guns. Considered by many as the best in the series, it also received extensive post-release support.

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4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015): A Telltale Games episodic adventure, this spin-off focuses on Rhys and Fiona, whose unlikely partnership leads them on a Vault-hunting adventure. Its narrative choices significantly impact the story.

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5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022): A fantasy-themed entry based on the Borderlands 2 DLC, this game features Tina as the Dungeon Master, leading players through a fantastical world filled with unique challenges and loot.

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6. Borderlands 3 (2019): The third main installment introduces new Vault Hunters to confront the villainous Siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, across multiple planets. It features returning characters and a wealth of DLC content.

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7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022): A sequel to the original Tales, this game introduces new protagonists, Anu, Octavio, and Fran, as they navigate a conflict with the Tediore corporation. Similar to its predecessor, it emphasizes narrative choices and branching storylines.

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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)

What's Next for Borderlands?

Borderlands 4 is slated for release on September 23, 2025, promising to be a significant addition to the franchise. Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox suggests further expansion of the Borderlands universe in the future.