GameTimeline

Release & story order

Borderlands timeline

Borderlands from the 2009 Pandora vault hunt through Borderlands 4 on Kairos—US release dates, in-universe chronology (Pre-Sequel between 1 and 2, Tales before 3), and which Telltale or Wonderlands spin-offs matter.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Gearbox and 2K shipped each title. Borderlands 2 arrived before The Pre-Sequel even though Pre-Sequel's main story sits between 1 and 2—Tales from the Borderlands landed in episodic form between Pre-Sequel and Borderlands 3.

  • First playthrough → Release order (BL1 → BL2 → Pre-Sequel → Tales → BL3 → Borderlands 4)—how the loot loop and Jack twist were meant to land
  • Story-first replay → switch to Story order (Pre-Sequel after BL1, before BL2; Tales before BL3)
  • Skip Tiny Tina's Wonderlands unless you want a fantasy spin-off; New Tales is optional after BL3
  • Borderlands: Game of the Year and Enhanced editions are the same story—buy current store listings, not separate titles here
Story order tips

When events happen in fiction on Pandora, Elpis, and beyond. Gearbox uses a relative "years ago" calendar in lore; this list follows the widely used narrative order (1 → Pre-Sequel → 2 → Tales → 3 → 4) with optional Wonderlands games marked.

  • Core arc: Borderlands → The Pre-Sequel (Elpis flashbacks) → Borderlands 2 → Tales from the Borderlands → Borderlands 3 → Borderlands 4
  • Wonderlands is Tina's Bunkers & Badasses session—optional, set after Borderlands 2 events
  • Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary (BL2 DLC) bridges toward Borderlands 3—explained in the questions below, not listed separately in Story order
  • On Story order, some entries are hidden to avoid spoilers—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Borderlands

    Borderlands

    PCPlayStation 3Xbox 360Looter shooterMainline

    Borderlands (2009) invents Pandora loot-shooting—four Vault Hunters chase Destiny in cel-shaded mayhem.

    Overview
    Procedural guns, co-op RPG shooters, and sarcastic quest tone launched Gearbox’s franchise formula. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Earliest Pandora arc. Leads into Pre-Sequel chronologically before BL2. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Series start. GOTY / remasters vary; BL2 is the usual “start here” for comedy peak. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 20, 2009 on PC/PS3/Xbox 360.
  2. Borderlands 2

    Borderlands 2

    PCPlayStation 3Xbox 360Looter shooterMainline

    Borderlands 2 is Handsome Jack’s peak—denser vault hunting, raid bosses, and Tiny Tina’s legendary DLC.

    Overview
    Sharper writing, better gun feel, and a villain who redefined the series’ comedy-cruelty balance. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    After Pre-Sequel on chronology. Tales and Wonderlands riff afterward. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Default classic entry. Play after BL1 or jump in cold; Pre-Sequel slots between on Story. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US September 18, 2012 on PC/PS3/Xbox 360; later remasters.
  3. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

    Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

    PCPlayStation 3Xbox 360Looter shooterMainline

    Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is Helios/low-gravity moon chaos—Jack’s rise between BL1 and BL2.

    Overview
    Oxygen management and slapstick moon physics on the BL2 engine. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Between BL1 and BL2 on Story. Release ships after BL2. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional for some; Story-critical for Jack’s origin. 2K Australia co-dev. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 14, 2014 on PC/PS3/Xbox 360. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.
  4. Tales from the Borderlands

    Tales from the Borderlands

    PCPlayStationXboxAdventureMainline

    Tales from the Borderlands is Telltale’s episodic comedy—Rhys and Fiona after BL2’s fallout.

    Overview
    Choice-driven adventure tone with Borderlands humor and a surprisingly sharp Jack shadow. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    After BL2. Characters echo into BL3 if you care about cameos. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional but beloved. Remastered/collection editions exist depending on storefront. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    Episodic 2014–2015 on PC/PlayStation/Xbox; later collections.
  5. Borderlands 3

    Borderlands 3

    PCPlayStation 4Xbox OneLooter shooterMainline

    Borderlands 3 jumps years later—Calypso Twins, more planets, and modern gunplay systems.

    Overview
    Sliding/mantling gunplay refresh and multi-planet hubs on a new engine generation. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    After BL2 era. New Tales is optional afterward. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Mainline continuation. DLC campaigns extend the map hop. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US September 13, 2019 on PC/PS4/Xbox One; next-gen upgrades later. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.
  6. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
    Optional

    Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

    PCPlayStationXboxLooter shooterOptional

    Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is a fantasy Bunkers & Badasses campaign—optional post-BL2 tabletop romp.

    Overview
    Class fantasy CRPG-shooter hybrid hosted by Tina’s imagination rules. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Non-critical path. Fun bridge before or after Tales. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional spin. Fine anytime after BL2 tone familiarity. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 25, 2022 on PC/PlayStation/Xbox. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.
  7. New Tales from the Borderlands
    Optional

    New Tales from the Borderlands

    PCPlayStationXboxSwitchAdventureOptional

    New Tales from the Borderlands continues episodic comedy years after the Calypso chaos—optional tone piece.

    Overview
    Updated adventure presentation with a new cast in Sanctuary-era fallout. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Later optional arc. Skip if you only want FPS mainlines. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after BL3. Shorter commitment than a loot grind. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US October 21, 2022 on PC/PlayStation/Xbox/Switch. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.
  8. Borderlands 4

    Borderlands 4

    PCPlayStation 5Xbox Series X/SLooter shooterMainline

    Borderlands 4 is the latest vault-hunting mainline—new planet sandbox after BL3’s years-later jump.

    Overview
    Current-gen loot-shooter continuation of Gearbox’s cel-shaded co-op fantasy. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Latest arc. Spin-offs remain optional appetizers, not blockers. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Current end of the main path as of 2026. Play after BL3 for fullest jokes. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US 2025 on PC/PS5/Xbox Series X|S. Prefer modern digital editions when older editions are awkward to run.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Pre-Sequel's split timeline, Tales before Borderlands 3, and optional Wonderlands or New Tales.

Release order

Release order is how Gearbox shipped the games (2009–2025): Borderlands 2 before The Pre-Sequel even though Pre-Sequel's main story fits between 1 and 2. Story order follows that narrative gap—Pre-Sequel after BL1, before BL2—then Tales, Borderlands 3, and Borderlands 4. Use Release order for a first playthrough; use Story order on a lore replay.

First-time players: Borderlands (2009 or current Enhanced listing) in release order through Borderlands 2, then The Pre-Sequel, Tales from the Borderlands, Borderlands 3, and Borderlands 4. Lore replay: switch to Story order so Pre-Sequel sits between 1 and 2. Wonderlands and New Tales are optional spin-offs.

Story & timeline

The Pre-Sequel is one game with two timelines: the Elpis vault hunt (between Borderlands 1 and 2) is the main story on this page's Story order. Opening and closing framing scenes—Athena's interrogation—take place after Borderlands 2 and around Tales from the Borderlands episode 3. Play the full game once after BL1 in story order; expect frame spoilers if you have not finished BL2.

Optional & spin-offs

DLC & collections

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.