Chronological Guide to the Borderlands Franchise

The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter shooter, has rapidly become a gaming icon. Its distinctive cel-shaded art style and memorable characters have cemented its place in modern video game culture, extending beyond gaming into comics, novels, and even tabletop games. This year marks a significant milestone with the release of the Borderlands film, directed by Eli Roth. While critical reception was mixed, the film's release represents a major achievement for the franchise.

With Borderlands 4 slated for release in 2025, both new and returning fans are likely eager to revisit the series. This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of the Borderlands games, enabling players to experience the story in its intended order.

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Chronological Order | Release Order

How Many Borderlands Games Exist?

Currently, there are seven canon Borderlands games and spin-offs, plus two 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 mainline games serve as excellent introductions, especially for those less focused on narrative continuity. All three are readily available on modern platforms. However, for a complete understanding of the overarching storyline, especially after seeing the film, beginning with the first game is recommended.

Borderlands Games in Chronological Order:

(Minor spoilers ahead)

1. Borderlands (2009): This origin story introduces Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai, four Vault Hunters searching for the legendary Vault on Pandora. Their quest leads them into conflict with the Crimson Lance militia and Pandora's hostile environment. The game's success established the looter shooter genre and spawned several expansions.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014): A prequel bridging the gap between the first two games, this installment features Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on a mission to a Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. It prominently features Handsome Jack, the antagonist of Borderlands 2, showcasing his descent into villainy. Several expansions were released post-launch.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012): The direct sequel returns to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters facing off against the tyrannical Handsome Jack. This entry expands upon the original's formula with more quests, character classes, and, significantly, more guns. It's widely considered a series high point, supported by extensive post-release content.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015): A Telltale Games episodic adventure set on Pandora, this spin-off focuses on Rhys, a Hyperion employee, and Fiona, a con artist, as they unexpectedly become entangled in a quest for a new Vault. Its narrative choices significantly impact the storyline and its characters have appeared in subsequent games.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022): A fantasy-themed entry based on the Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep. While visually distinct, it retains core Borderlands gameplay, featuring a vast fantasy kingdom, unique classes, and abundant weaponry. Multiple expansions add further content.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019): The third mainline game introduces Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, tasked with stopping the murderous siren twins, Troy and Tyreen. This installment expands the setting beyond Pandora, featuring multiple planets and numerous familiar faces. Substantial DLC content extends the gameplay experience.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022): The sequel to Tales From The Borderlands, this game introduces Anu, Octavio, and Fran, who find themselves targeted by Tediore Corporation after discovering a powerful artifact. Similar to its predecessor, it emphasizes narrative choices and branching storylines.

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:

With Borderlands 4 on the horizon and Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox Software, the future of the franchise looks bright, promising further expansion of this beloved universe.