From the chaotic brilliance of Borderlands 2 to the spell-slinging fun of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and the modern polish of Borderlands 4, we break down every Borderlands title to see which ones still deliver the best loot, laughs, and mayhem.
For more than a decade, Borderlands has defined what it means to mix humor, RPG progression, and over-the-top gunplay. Across sequels, spin-offs, and experiments, the series has stayed true to its identity: wild worlds, absurd characters, and endless loot. Some entries have aged like fine Eridium, while others missed their mark, but every game has added something unique to the franchise. Here’s how they all stack up, from the absolute best to the ones that never quite hit critical.
Why: Borderlands 2 remains the undisputed champion of the series. It built on the foundation of the first game and refined every system – sharper writing, more varied enemies, deeper builds, and some of the best DLCs in gaming history.
Handsome Jack’s blend of charisma and cruelty gave the game genuine narrative weight. The humor, pacing, and sense of progression all clicked perfectly, making this the peak of the looter-shooter genre.
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Verdict: The franchise’s benchmark for excellence and one of the greatest action RPGs of its generation.
Why: A vibrant spin-off that successfully reimagined Borderlands through a fantasy lens. The combination of magic, loot, and humor created something fresh and playful. The classes and spell systems gave combat new depth, and the D&D-inspired presentation worked perfectly for the tone.
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Weaknesses:
Verdict: A refreshing and inventive take on the Borderlands formula. The humor lands, the combat feels great, and the fantasy theme brings new life to familiar mechanics. Even with underwhelming DLC, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands stands as one of the most enjoyable entries in the franchise.
Why: A completely different experience, but one that nails the heart of the Borderlands universe. Telltale’s episodic adventure focuses on storytelling and character development rather than loot and combat, and it delivers one of the most heartfelt, funniest, and well-written stories in the series.
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Weaknesses:
Verdict: An unexpected masterpiece of storytelling that expands the Borderlands universe in the best way possible. It may lack combat, but its humor, pacing, and emotional payoff make it one of the most beloved entries in the franchise and an essential experience for fans.
Why: The most polished mainline entry since Borderlands 2. It tightens the humor, improves mission pacing, and delivers the best gunplay the series has ever had. The story takes a more grounded tone, focusing on smaller character arcs while still offering plenty of spectacle. The writing feels confident, and the post-launch content adds real value without overwhelming players.
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Weaknesses:
Verdict: A confident return to form that shows Gearbox still knows how to make Borderlands exciting. It may not surpass Borderlands 2, but it finds a smart middle ground between chaos and control, delivering one of the most satisfying shooter-RPG experiences in the series.
Why: A solid and under-appreciated mid-entry that introduced fun mechanics like low gravity, oxygen systems, and new character classes. It also explored Handsome Jack’s rise in an interesting way. The downside is pacing – some missions drag, and the environments lack variety compared to other games.
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Weaknesses:
Verdict: Creative and enjoyable, but not quite as polished or memorable as the top-tier entries.
Why: Borderlands 3 nails gameplay and guns feel better than any other entry. Movement, shooting, and build diversity are top-notch. Unfortunately, the writing and pacing prevent it from reaching greatness. The Calypso Twins were ambitious villains that fell flat, and the humor often missed its mark.
Still, the gunplay and loot systems make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
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Weaknesses:
Verdict: A mechanically superb shooter carried by gameplay rather than storytelling.
Why: The game that started it all deserves respect, but it feels dated by modern standards. The humor wasn’t fully developed, and mission structure was repetitive. Despite that, its art style and loot system set the groundwork for the series’ identity.
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Weaknesses:
Verdict: A historically important game, but difficult to revisit compared to its sequels.
Despite its ups and downs, the Borderlands franchise has never produced a genuinely bad game. Even the weakest entries offer fun combat, interesting characters, and the thrill of endless loot.
