Every Borderlands game from worst to best

Gearbox Software has been busy building the Borderlands franchise over the years. The first game in the series was released back in 2009. Since then, the developer has created nine titles. This includes multiple spin-off games that have helped further build up the franchise. The latest game in the series is Borderlands 4, which isn't being released until September 12, 2025. While we wait for the next game to be released, let's rank each of the previous titles from worst to best.

8 Borderlands Legends

A weird mobile title

Many skipped over Borderlands Legends because it is a rather strange mobile spin-off that many didn't realize existed. I will admit, I played it only slightly because I decided to give up on it. It was a point-and-click mess that was often laggy and just didn't feel right. Borderlands Legends is no longer available to play unless you can find a device that still has it installed. Personally, I think it is for the best that this title isn't available anymore.

7 New Tales from the Borderlands

Just not the same

The original Tales from the Borderlands ​​​​​​is a game that is beloved by many in the series. After the release of Borderlands 3, Gearbox tried to return to the more story-focused series, and it just wasn't good. The story of this game focuses on characters affected by the events of the third Borderlands ​​​​​​title, and I must admit, there are some funny moments, but most of it feels like an ad-libbed mess. The whole game feels more like a money-making opportunity than something the developers cared about.

6 Borderlands 3

The worst of the main series

Where do I even begin when it comes to Borderlands 3​​​​​? I will forever say that the gameplay was the only strong part of this title. The team made serious improvements to the gunplay, enhanced the movement mechanics, and made the game look good. Beyond that, everything else about Borderlands 3 just didn't work. The main villains were whiny and easy to hate, the overall story was a slog to play through, and the entire game was full of so much meme humor that it was hard to believe it ever got the green light. It strayed far from the high point created by the previous games in the series. Also, including Ava is just unforgivable, as she is the worst character the franchise has ever spawned.

5 Tales from the Borderlands

Hi, Vaughn!

Tales from the Borderlands is one of those titles that many people in the franchise love. While I think it is great, there are better games in the series. The story follows Rhys and Fiona as they navigate the hellscape that is Pandora. The game takes place between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, and introduces some of the best characters in the series. Rhys goes on to become the CEO of Atlas in Borderlands 3. One of the big reasons why this title did so much better than the second one in the series is largely due to TellTale Games being the creator. Gearbox tried to match the same energy without the help from TellTale, but it just didn't work.

4 Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Fun, but boring

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is one of the more fun games in the series. It added to the lore of the franchise by revealing Handsome Jack's motivation for wanting to cleanse Pandora in Borderlands 2. It also steered away from focusing on the planet of Pandora and instead shot the players (literally) to the moon. Elpis had fun game mechanics such as oxygen, zero gravity, and the introduction of laser guns. The main issue with the game is that it often ends up feeling boring to get through. I often end up getting bored about halfway through the game and come back to it at a later date. Despite that, the game is solid and has a rewarding payoff if you manage to make it to the end.

3 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Bringing D&D to the Borderlands franchise

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is another one of the spin-off titles that focuses on one of the series' best characters: Tiny Tina. The game expands on the game Bunkers & Badasses that was introduced in the Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep DLC from Borderlands 2​​​​​, and adds some great gameplay mechanics in the process. This is the only game in the franchise that allows you to create your own character. In true D&D fashion, you can also multi-class, opening you up to a range of builds that you can't get in other games. Similar to the Pre-Sequel, the game gets boring after a while and often requires a break if you want to make it through the whole thing. Arguably, this one is a bit more fun than the Pre-Sequel, but they are on very similar ground.

2 Borderlands

The game that started it all

The original Borderlands title was released back in 2009. At this point, it is over a decade old. Despite this, it is still a strong game that you can pick up today and play. It has stood the test of time and is still a relevant game. This title introduced the world to Pandora, gave us amazing characters like Lilith, Roland, Brick, and Mordecai, created the looter-shooter genre, and more. I have gone back to play the original game, and it holds up better than most of the other games Gearbox has created. On top of this, the DLCs that were added to this game are some of the best in the franchise as well.

1 Borderlands 2

No Borderlands game has topped it

Borderlands 2 took everything that the original game had and made it even greater. Gearbox did so well with the sequel that fans compare everything that Gearbox makes to Borderlands 2. The story is strong, it has one of the best villains ever created, the world gets expanded on in a meaningful way, more beloved characters were added, and the gameplay was on point. There is no reason not to go back to Borderlands 2, and it remains the best in the series. Even the DLC for this game was amazing. It was created during a time when Gearbox wanted to make players happy. The devs created so many DLC packs for Borderlands 2 that the extra content alone is worth buying the game for.

The Borderlands franchise has been a mixed bag

There is no denying that Gearbox has missed the mark with some of the Borderlands franchise's games. Games like Borderlands 3 and New Tales from the Borderlands just didn't land well with the fanbase. Despite this, many still believe in the developers and look forward to more gamesfrom the franchise. To this day, Borderlands 2 remains the best game in the series. That could change when Borderlands 4 is released.