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The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter-shooter, has rapidly become a gaming icon. Its distinctive cel-shaded art style and memorable characters, like the Psycho, have cemented its place in modern video game culture. The franchise's success extends beyond gaming, encompassing comics, novels, and even a tabletop game.
This year marks a significant milestone: the Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth (Hostel, Thanksgiving), bringing Pandora and its inhabitants to the big screen. Despite mixed reviews, the film 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 helps navigate the games' chronological order and release order.
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Chronological Order | Release Order
AnswerSee ResultsHow Many Borderlands Games Exist?
Seven main Borderlands games and spin-offs are canon, plus two smaller, non-canon titles: Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends.
Where to Begin?
While Borderlands 1 is the logical starting point for narrative continuity, any of the three main games offer a solid introduction to the gameplay. 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: Game of the Year Edition
Price Comparison: [Link to deal 1] [Link to deal 2]
Chronological Order of Canon Borderlands Games:
(Minor spoilers ahead)
1. Borderlands (2009): Follows Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai as they hunt for the Vault on Pandora, battling the Crimson Lance and Pandora's dangers. The game's success launched the looter-shooter genre.
2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014): Bridges the gap between the first two games. New Vault Hunters—Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap—embark on a moon-based mission, featuring Handsome Jack's rise to power.
3. Borderlands 2 (2012): Returns to Pandora with a new team facing off against Handsome Jack. A larger, more expansive experience than the original, widely considered the best in the series.
4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015): A Telltale Games episodic adventure focusing on Rhys and Fiona, whose con leads them on a Vault-related quest. A significant part of the Borderlands canon.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022): A fantasy-themed spin-off based on the Borderlands 2 DLC, Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep. Retains core Borderlands gameplay within a new setting.
6. Borderlands 3 (2019): A new team of Vault Hunters confronts the siren twins, Troy and Tyreen, across multiple planets. Features many returning characters.
7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022): Features a new cast—Anu, Octavio, and Fran—who encounter a powerful artifact and face off against Tediore. Focuses on a branching narrative.
Release Order of All Borderlands Games:
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, scheduled for September 23, 2025, is the next major release. Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox suggests a significant expansion of the Borderlands universe in the coming years.
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