The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter-shooter, has evolved into a multimedia phenomenon since its debut. Its distinctive cel-shaded art style and iconic characters have cemented its place in gaming culture, expanding into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game. This month marks a significant milestone: the release of the Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth. While critical reception was mixed, the film's release is a substantial achievement for the franchise.
With Borderlands 4 slated for release later this year, anticipation is high among both veteran and new fans. To prepare for the upcoming game, we've compiled a timeline of the series, detailing the chronological order and release order of the games.
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Chronological Play OrderRelease Date Order
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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 starting with Borderlands 1 is recommended for a complete narrative experience, any of the three mainline games offer a solid introduction to the gameplay. All three are available on modern platforms. However, for those wanting to follow the overarching storyline, especially after seeing the movie, beginning with the first game is ideal.
Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition
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Canon Borderlands Games in Chronological Order:
(Mild spoilers ahead)
1. Borderlands (2009):
The origin story follows Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai as they hunt for the legendary Vault on Pandora, battling the Crimson Lance, wildlife, and bandits. The game's success launched the looter-shooter genre and was enhanced by four post-release expansions.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014):
A prequel bridging the gap between the first two games, featuring new Vault Hunters (Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap) on Elpis. It showcases Handsome Jack's descent into villainy and includes several expansions.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012):
Returning to Pandora, this sequel introduces Maya, Axton, Salvador, and Zer0, who confront the tyrannical Handsome Jack. Considered by many as the best in the series, it features expanded gameplay and numerous post-release additions.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015):
A Telltale Games episodic adventure, focusing on Rhys and Fiona as they navigate a story-driven adventure on Pandora after Borderlands 2. Its characters have since become part of the Borderlands canon.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022):
A fantasy-themed spin-off, expanding on the Bunkers & Badasses tabletop game from Borderlands 2. It retains core Borderlands gameplay with a unique setting and several DLC expansions.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019):
This sequel introduces Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, who battle the siren twins Troy and Tyreen across multiple planets. It features extensive DLC content.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022):
A standalone story with new protagonists (Anu, Octavio, and Fran) who encounter a powerful artifact and face the Tediore corporation. 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:
Borderlands 4, set for release on September 23, 2025, is the next major installment. Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox suggests a significant expansion of the franchise's future projects.
