The Ultimate Ranking of Every Borderlands Game

Highlights

The Borderlands franchise has garnered a dedicated fanbase through its zany fun and chaotic combat, leading to sequels, spin-offs, and prequels.

Every Borderlands game, although not all achieving the pinnacle of success, has earned the commendation it receives from gamers, even long after their initial launch.

Incorporating fresh characters and exhilarating journeys, each installment in the series presents a distinct encounter while preserving the beloved atmosphere that fans adore, captivating players continuously.

The Borderlands series captivates players with its wild and exhilarating gameplay, attracting a dedicated fanbase that has propelled the game to new heights, leading to the creation of sequels, spin-offs, and prequels.

Each installment in the Borderlands franchise offers a unique and enjoyable experience, staying true to the beloved essence of the series, while also introducing fresh and captivating characters for players to adore or celebrating the return of beloved familiar faces. Although not every Borderlands game attains the pinnacle of success, they all deserve the accolades and adoration bestowed upon them by gamers, even years after their initial release.

10 Borderlands 2 VR

Borderlands 2 stands out as an exceptional addition to the series, seamlessly incorporating the beloved essence and gameplay while introducing a plethora of new characters and thrilling adventures to explore on the captivating world of Pandora. As is often the case with games that attain significant recognition and a dedicated fanbase, a VR adaptation was swiftly crafted and made accessible for PlayStation and PC VR headsets.

Nonetheless, the VR rendition of Borderlands 2 did not receive the same level of acclaim as its original counterpart. Several players pointed out numerous shortcomings with the VR controls, while the omission of cooperative gameplay was regarded as sacrilege by devoted Borderlands enthusiasts. Nonetheless, individuals who cherished the second installment and possess a curiosity to experience it in a VR environment will still discover enjoyment awaiting them.

9 New Tales from the Borderlands

Borderlands ventured into the realm of episodic games with Tales from the Borderlands, which quickly gained fame and popularity, leaving fans craving for more. The follow-up, New Tales from the Borderlands, introduces a fresh story centered around three determined individuals, Anu, Octavio, and Fran, as they embark on a quest to change the world.

However, it falls short in capturing the charm and genuine humor that made the original TFTB so beloved. The dialogue often feels cringe-worthy, and the characters fail to engage some players. Despite these shortcomings, this episodic game still offers a narrative that players can influence. If you're a devoted fan of the Borderlands franchise, it's worth giving it a shot to delve into these previously untold tales.

8 Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep

The combination of Borderlands and a D&D-inspired game in Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep is undeniably a one-of-a-kind idea. This standalone DLC campaign serves as a unique expansion for the second game, offering a gaming experience that stands on its own.

In this DLC, Tiny Tina assumes the role of the Games Master, guiding players through the adventure as they control their familiar Borderlands characters. While it maintains the looting and shooting gameplay that fans know and love, it also introduces elements of platforming and puzzles. Some fans of Borderlands may find these additions unfamiliar and possibly disruptive to their expected gameplay.

7 Borderlands Legends

Borderlands Legends is an unexpected spin-off that introduces beloved characters and gameplay to the mobile platform. Its release coincided with the highly anticipated Borderlands 2, causing this mobile game tie-in to be overshadowed.

Although many players found the gameplay enjoyable, the game suffered from a noticeable lack of content, resulting in a quick loss of interest. Nonetheless, it served as a casual game option that players could easily pick up and play without requiring much focus or concentration.

6 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Tiny Tina has quickly become a beloved character in the Borderlands franchise, captivating players with her exciting and one-of-a-kind adventures in her spinoff games. These games revolve around a fantasy-themed tabletop role-playing game similar to Dungeons and Dragons.

Following the typical Borderlands style, the game incorporates first-person shooting gameplay mechanics. However, there are some notable divergences from the main series. Players now have the opportunity to control characters that differ from the traditional vault hunters they might expect. These characters have fully developed personalities and unique voice lines. With the ability to mix and match their abilities and powers, players can level up their characters using hero points.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is a truly distinct game within the Borderlands series, offering a refreshingly different experience while staying true to the elements that fans know and love.

5 Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3, the highly anticipated game released in 2019, delivers an exciting new storyline set in the world of Pandora. With a team of fresh playable characters and the return of familiar faces like Lilith and Maya, this game offers a captivating experience. Players are tasked with safeguarding the vaults from the menacing duo, Troy and Tyreen,who are determined to seize the secrets hidden within the Great Vault.

For fans of the previous Borderlands games, there is little to dislike in this installment. The gameplay mechanics that were beloved in earlier versions make a welcome return, alongside fan-favorite characters. While the twins may not possess the same level of charismatic villainy as the notorious Handsome Jack, their impending threat still leaves players feeling the weight of the danger they represent.

4 Borderlands: The Pre Sequel

The Pre Sequel, a curiously named installment in the Borderlands series, takes place between the first and second games. It introduces fresh narratives involving previously non-playable characters and familiar bosses from earlier games.

The game revolves around the journey of Jack, an employee of Helios, as he battles against the Lost Legion, an opposing faction, to liberate Helios. Additionally, Jack aims to be the first to uncover the Vault on Elpis, Pandora's moon. While Borderlands: The Pre Sequel presents distinctive characters and level designs, it maintains the beloved plot and essential gameplay mechanics seen in the previous titles. After all, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

3 Tales from the Borderlands

Few Borderlands fans have ever wished that the series would receive the Telltale treatment, considering the significant differences in gameplay between the 2K game and Telltale's episodic adventures. However, fans were pleasantly surprised when Tales from the Borderlands delivered exactly that. The game offered an intriguing story, a vibrant cast of characters, and the beloved Borderlands-style humor that fans can appreciate. In this game, players assume the roles of Rhys, an employee of Hyperion, and Fiona, a skilled conwoman. They, along with Rhys's best friend Vaughn and Fiona's younger sister Sasha, find themselves forced into unlikely partnerships as they embark on a quest to uncover vaults and survive.

2 Borderlands

The game that started it all was the original Borderlands, released in 2009. It was a groundbreaking cyberpunk game that set the stage for the sequels to come. The game introduced four distinct main characters, each belonging to a unique class with their own set of abilities. The storyline revolves around the adventures of Vault Hunters exploring Pandora and other planets, in their quest to find the elusive vaults. In the future, mega-corporations compete fiercely for planetary control and resources. Atlas, the leading corporation, gained an advantage by discovering a Vault filled with advanced alien technology. Now, everyone is on a search for these Vaults, including the playable characters Lilith, Brick, Mordecai, and Roland.

1 Borderlands 2

Borderlands set the foundation, but Borderlands 2 perfected it. Considered one of the series' greatest games, it's no surprise why. While it introduces familiar elements like looting Vaults and revisiting the world of Pandora, it also introduces one of gaming's most memorable villains: Handsome Jack. Despite not being the protagonist, he steals the spotlight with his commanding presence and charisma.

Taking place five years after the events of Borderlands, Pandora is now under the tyrannical rule of Handsome Jack, who governs from his space station named Helios. Rumors emerge about a massive Vault, sparking a race to find and plunder its riches. Action-packed, fast-paced, and exhilarating, Borderlands 2 embodies everything a Borderlands game should be.