The Borderlands series from Gearbox Software has already achieved legendary status.
This action role-playing first-person looter shooter video game saga, which began in 2009, has seen three main installments and numerous expansions and spin-offs. It has also inspired many other games, both in terms of gameplay, graphics, and interesting settings.
The popularity of the series has also given rise to several comics, novels, and even a movie, which is set to premiere in 2024.
You have likely already had the chance to play at some point one title from this series, or at least know it from trailers, online materials, or friends’ accounts.
If you’ve never played any Borderlands or (which we doubt) are reading about this title for the first time, you’re probably wondering: “Which is the best Borderlands game? Which Borderlands should I play first?” We come with answers and help!
Here is our short list of all Borderlands games ranked – from the weakest, in our opinion, to the best, the absolute masterpieces of the series!
Before you proceed to the list below, remember that all Borderlands installments are worth knowing, and you don’t have to agree with our opinions – it’s best if you check them out yourself and then decide!
Without further ado, let’s move on to the list…
| Game | Release | Developer | Trailer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Borderlands GOTY Enhanced | 2009-10-26 | Gearbox Software | |
 | Borderlands 2 GOTY | 2012-09-20 | Gearbox Software | |
 | Borderlands The Pre-Sequel | 2014-10-14 | Gearbox Software | |
 | Tales from the Borderlands | 2014-11-25 | Telltale Games | |
 | Borderlands 3 Standard Edition | 2020-04 | Gearbox Software |
Borderlands Legends
| Release date: | 2020-05-29 |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Borderlands Legends is a real-time strategy game released for mobile devices in the same year as the second installment of the series.
Never heard of it? Well, no wonder – this title is neither the most popular nor the most interesting – the departure from the convention of a dynamic RPG looter shooter to, let’s face it, a much slower-paced strategy, did not do this part any good.
In this title, you control all four Vault Hunters from Borderlands (Brick, Roland, Lilith, Mordecai), each with different powers and roles in the team. You traverse the land, gather loot, and fight enemy units. At least one team member must survive for you to complete the mission.
Borderlands
| Release date: | 2009-10-26 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
The second on our list is the first game in the series, although it might seem strange – after all, this is where the franchise phenomenon began.
Well, the first steps are often the hardest and full of mistakes, which sensible people learn from. The first Borderlands had many worthy successors and still remains in our hearts.
In this title, we are transported into the unknown future to the planet Pandora. At the beginning of the game, we have to choose one of four playable characters – Vault Hunters – all of them have their individual skills and traits that we can develop and enhance during the game. The gameplay mainly involves completing quests assigned by NPCs and found on bounty boards, which are mostly bounty hunting and defeating enemies (human and non-human). The game offers a big variety of guns and loot to collect.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
| Release date: | 2014-10-14 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
It was difficult for us to choose the next position on our list because this game and the next two represent a similar level.
The Pre-Sequel! is one of the few games not created by Gearbox, but only with their help. The creation of this title is credited to 2K Australia, which introduced several new mechanics to the game.
This time, the action takes place on Pandora’s Moon, and the game serves as a bridge between the events of Borderlands 1 and 2. We meet Handsome Jack (the main antagonist from Borderlands 2) working for Hyperion, whose gradual transformation we observe. In this title, we can also pick one of four playable characters. This time, although, we meet an entirely new crew compared to Borderlands 1.
Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Games Series
| Release date: | 2014-11-25 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Telltale Games |
This is another game in the Borderlands series not created by Gearbox.
As the name suggests, this title was created by beloved Telltale Games, who presented us with the phenomenal Walking Dead series. Once again, we depart from the convention of a full-action RPG shooter in favor of a much slower-paced game that focuses on following dialogues and making decisions that affect the storyline. However, the strong point of the game is its plot.
This title continues the threads from Borderlands 2, following the fates of Fiona, a professional con artist, and Rhys, who works for Hyperion. Both characters present the same story but from two different perspectives. We meet familiar franchise heroes, including some Vault Hunters, as well as many new, colorful characters.
New Tales from the Borderlands
| Release date: | 2022-10-21 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Although the title might suggest it, this installment is not another work made by Telltale Games, but a game once again created by the franchise’s creators – Gearbox Software.
However, like the previously mentioned title, this part is also a narrative adventure game where dynamic elements are limited to mini-games and quick-time events.
The story is set a year after the events of Borderlands 3. The Tediore corporation invades the city-planet Promethea and plans to break into the mythical Vault full of treasures. This game presents us with tree entirely new characters: owner and manager of the frogurt shop Fran Miscowicz who uses a hoverchair, her employee Octavio and his sister – scientist Anu. This unusual trio has a chance to outsmart the ruthless corporation and change the fate of the world.
Borderlands 3
| Release date: | 2020-04 |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Now on our list of Borderlands games ranked, we move on to what we consider the best.
In fourth place is the Gearbox-created Borderlands 3, which is the third main part of the series and returns to the roots of the genre we love!
The story takes place 5 years after the events of Borderlands 2, focusing this time on the Sirens – mysterious women with supernatural abilities. One of them is a new playable character named Amara. The other three are: FL4K the Beastmaster, Moze the Gunner, and Zane the Operative. In this part, we face the Children of the Vault clan, led by the Calypso Twins – Tyreen and Troy, who, although a man, also wields the powers of the Sirens. The clan is in possession of the long-lost Vault Map.
Tiny Tinas Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-shot Adventure
| Release date: | 2021-11-09 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Tiny Tina’s Assault is a Gearbox-created DLC for the second Borderlands installment, which does not slow down the pace set by the base game – in terms of both action and crazy storyline.
You could even boldly say that the story in this expansion is even crazier!
This time, we are transported to a magical, fantasy world created by the titular character for an RPG session that the unbalanced girl plays with her friends. After the Queen is kidnapped, the kingdom faces great danger, which only Vault Hunters can confront. Interestingly, the game world constantly changes – Tiny Tina modifies character attributes, rebuilds locations, and creates new challenges for players.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
| Release date: | 2022-06-23 |
| Genre: | |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is an excellent spin-off of the series, also created by the developer behind the franchise.
This game builds on the previously mentioned title, significantly expanding the concept.
Again, we are transported to Tiny Tina’s fantasy world, which forms the basis of the RPG session being played. This time, we become a character named Fatemaker, whose appearance, voice, and class we can choose. Our task is to face the Dragon Lord – a great, dangerous… dragon, of course. This title also offers many surprises and sudden, chaotic changes brought about by the crazy GameMaster.
Borderlands 2
| Release date: | 2012-09-20 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
The last on our list is the absolute masterpiece of the Borderlands series – its second installment.
Traditionally, it is an action-packed RPG looter shooter that appealed to both critics and players. Everybody praised the game for the variety of Pandora’s landscapes, new weapons, and mechanics, especially in co-op mode.
In this title, the playable characters are Salvador, Maya, Zer0, and Axton, but we get to see characters from the first game again, as non-playable characters. The story focuses on Handsome Jack, who, after taking credit for the Vault Hunters’ achievements (from Borderlands 1), declares himself the Dictator of Pandora and buys the weapon-producing corporation Hyperion. Our task is to stop the madman’s tyranny.
