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 June 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 rows 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

    Four vault hunters, cel-shaded Pandora, and the first vault.

    Overview
    Gearbox fused Diablo-style loot with a FPS and comic-book visuals—procedural guns became the series hook.
    In-game setting
    Story earliest mainline chapter: hunt the Vault on Pandora as Roland, Mordecai, Brick, or Lilith.
    Should you play it?
    Start here for release order or story order. Short by later standards—good tone-setter.
    Release date
    North America launch October 20, 2009. Remastered as Game of the Year and Enhanced editions on modern platforms.
  2. Borderlands 2

    Borderlands 2

    PCPlayStation 3Xbox 360Looter shooterMainline

    Handsome Jack, Sanctuary, and the series-defining villain arc.

    Overview
    Expanded skill trees, richer world, and Jack's constant radio taunts—still the fan-favorite campaign peak for many.
    In-game setting
    Story after Pre-Sequel's Elpis chapters: new vault hunters vs Hyperion on Pandora.
    Should you play it?
    Release order slot #2. In story order, play after The Pre-Sequel's main flashbacks.
    Release date
    North America launch September 18, 2012. VR and enhanced ports later.
  3. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

    Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

    PCPlayStation 3Xbox 360Looter shooterMainline

    Elpis moon—Jack's rise between the first two numbered games.

    Overview
    Low-gravity oxygen mechanics and playable Claptrap—story explains how Jack became Borderlands 2's antagonist.
    In-game setting
    Main story sits between Borderlands 1 and 2; framing interrogation scenes tie into Tales from the Borderlands.
    Should you play it?
    Third by release date. Story order: play after BL1, before BL2 for Jack's arc—explained in the questions below.
    Release date
    North America launch October 14, 2014. Developed by 2K Australia with Gearbox.
  4. Tales from the Borderlands

    Tales from the Borderlands

    PCPlayStationXboxAdventureMainline

    Telltale episodic story—Rhys, Fiona, and Vault Key chaos.

    Overview
    Choice-driven adventure instead of a loot shooter—still canon bridge material for Borderlands 3 characters.
    In-game setting
    Five episodes (Nov 2014–Oct 2015). Story after Borderlands 2; frames Pre-Sequel interrogation scenes in ep 3.
    Should you play it?
    Strongly recommended before Borderlands 3 for Rhys, Vaughn, and Atlas context.
    Release date
    Episode 1 US launch November 25, 2014. Delisted then re-released on modern stores.
  5. Borderlands 3

    Borderlands 3

    PCPlayStation 4Xbox OneLooter shooterMainline

    Children of the Vault, multiple planets, and billion-gun mayhem.

    Overview
    More movement tech, bigger environments, and stream-friendly co-op—continues Tales cast threads.
    In-game setting
    Story years after Borderlands 2 and Tales—Calypso twins and corporate cults.
    Should you play it?
    Play Tales first if you care about Rhys and corporate politics payoffs.
    Release date
    North America launch September 13, 2019. Steam and Epic versions available.
  6. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
    Optional

    Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

    PCPlayStationXboxLooter shooterOptional

    Fantasy D&D parody spin-off hosted by Tiny Tina.

    Overview
    Spellcasting looter shooter in a tabletop fantasy frame—same gun loop, different skin.
    In-game setting
    Bunkers & Badasses session narratively tied to post–Borderlands 2 Tina—not required for BL3 or BL4 plot.
    Should you play it?
    Optional on Story order. Play if you love Tina or want variety before Tales or BL3.
    Release date
    Worldwide launch March 25, 2022.
  7. New Tales from the Borderlands
    Optional

    New Tales from the Borderlands

    PCPlayStationXboxSwitchAdventureOptional

    Standalone Telltale-style adventure on Promethea—new cast.

    Overview
    Gearbox-published narrative game with new heroes Anu, Octavio, and Fran—lighter tie to vault hunt arc.
    In-game setting
    Story after Borderlands 3 in broad terms; not a direct sequel to original Tales.
    Should you play it?
    Optional epilogue flavor—skip if you only want vault-hunter shooters.
    Release date
    North America launch October 21, 2022.
  8. Borderlands 4

    Borderlands 4

    PCPlayStation 5Xbox Series X/SLooter shooterMainline

    Kairos, the Timekeeper, and a new vault hunter squad.

    Overview
    Unreal Engine 5 sequel six in-universe years after Borderlands 3—new planet, resistance faction, co-op focus.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline chapter on planet Kairos—franchise "present day" in lore terms.
    Should you play it?
    End of current numbered arc—play BL3 (and Tales) first for cast context.
    Release date
    Worldwide launch September 12, 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Nintendo Switch 2 port paused as of early 2026.

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.