The legendary looter-shooter franchise returns with Borderlands 4 (BL4), featuring an ambitious open-world design and refined combat systems.
Gearbox promises this will be the biggest, best, and most badass entry in the series, making it the perfect time to rank every Borderlands game—including key spinoffs—to see which titles stand out and which fall short.
So, get locked and loaded, as we rank the Borderlands games from worst to best
Borderlands (2009)
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The first entry in the franchise, 2009’s Borderlands, may have started it all, but it’s often ranked as the worst due to the story’s lack of depth.
Sure, it’s fondly remembered for its unique cell-shaded art style and core looter-shooter mechanics, yet the gameplay feels somewhat dated, and character abilities are less dynamic compared to the newer entries.
Still, Borderlands deserves credit for laying the foundation of this critically acclaimed franchise, even if it hasn’t aged as gracefully as its successors.
New Tales from the Borderlands (2022)
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A spin-off of the Borderlands series and a follow-up to Tales from the Borderlands (2014), New Tales from the Borderlands ranks as the second worst for failing to capture the original’s charm.
While it tries to continue the witty, character-driven storytelling formula of the narrative-heavy 2014 game, its dialogue often falls flat, making it less compelling for longtime fans.
However, New Tales from the Borderlands is not a total failure, as it features several enjoyable moments that deserve recognition.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014)
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Set between the original Borderlands and Borderlands 2, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel received praise for its new gameplay features and character classes but was criticized for its confusing level design and its similarity to the core mechanics of Borderlands 2.
This entry experiments with low-gravity mechanics on the Moon and provides deeper lore about the infamous Handsome Jack.
But while it introduces some fresh twists, many players find it somewhat repetitive, especially in its boss battles and mission design.
Despite that, though, it still received positive reviews from critics for its gameplay mechanics and characters like Athena.
Borderlands 3 (2019)
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The seven-year wait for Borderlands 3 was definitely worth it, thanks to its enhanced gameplay mechanics and diverse builds.
From slick gunplay to a massive variety of weaponry and customization, it’s no surprise that the game received generally favorable reviews and widespread acclaim.
However, it still faced some criticism for its lack of innovation, technical issues, and writing. Some players found it weaker and less original, making it unable to live up to the sharp narrative tone of Borderlands 2 and Tales from the Borderlands.
Nevertheless, its initial sales were the highest in the series, selling over 5 million copies in just five days after release.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands (2022)
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Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands might only be a spin-off, but it’s widely praised for its creative world and unique flair.
It stands out with improved character customization and imaginative combat options, blending fantasy RPG elements with the franchise’s signature looting. However, you can’t please everyone.
Despite acclaim for its dynamic environments, gameplay, humor, and voice acting, the game has been criticized for its meaningless reward system, lack of resemblance to an actual tabletop role-playing experience, and some quality-of-life issues. Still, it redeems itself by delivering the best FPS action in the series so far.
Tales from the Borderlands (2014)
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Coming in as the second-best in the series, Tales from the Borderlands received critical acclaim for its strong characterization, emotional depth, creative set pieces, humorous writing, and unexpected pathos.
If truth be told, its storytelling is considered the pinnacle of the franchise, brilliantly balancing new and returning characters while offering a refreshing take on the Borderlands universe through choice-driven gameplay.
So, even though it was released over a decade ago, Tales from the Borderlands remains a fan favorite.
Borderlands 2 (2012)
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Borderlands 2, the second entry in the series, has been around for 13 years, yet it is still widely hailed as the best Borderlands game.
Set five years after the events of the first game, it is praised for its engaging story, memorable villain Handsome Jack, abundant and well-crafted DLCs, and balanced gameplay.
Borderlands 2 expanded and perfected the original’s mechanics, offering rich content that has kept players invested for over a decade. With that said, its legacy is often considered the defining identity of the series.
With the release of Borderlands 4, we’ll see whether the new installment can surpass these classic entries or end up among the weaker ones.