Looking for the best Borderlands games? Since the series' inception on PS3 in 2009, Gearbox's cel-shaded co-op shooter has become a household name, merging Diablo-like loot gathering with chaotic first-person gunplay. To date, the series has spawned multiple instalments, some offering completely unique experiences, like the narrative-based Tales from the Borderlands.
On this page, we've compiled the best Borderlands games based on your user ratings. That means, if you don't agree with the ranking of a particular entry, you can do something about it. Feel free to submit your rating using the search box below, or by clicking the star next each game's box. The list will auto-update as your overall aggregates change.
9. New Tales from the Borderlands (PS5)
Tales from the Borderlands proved there could be more to the franchise than just looting and shooting, but Gearbox did a dreadful job trying to create a sequel. While the original was loved for its memorable characters and episodic storyline, this sequel lacked the same level of charm, delivering an overly long narrative adventure with a weak plot and some unbelievably unfunny gags.
8. Borderlands 2 VR (PS4)
Borderlands 2 has, to some extent, Skyrim and DOOM energy – that is to say, it’s a game that’s been ported practically everywhere. For example, you can play the looter shooter on the PS Vita – and, in this instance, on PSVR. While this version lacks co-op, it’s still pretty cool existing within Gearbox’s cel-shaded world. And, despite not being included at launch, all of the DLC was added for free post-release.
7. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (PS3)
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel released at an unfortunate time. Available initially only on the PS3, the game deployed a full year after the PS4, which meant many missed out on it at the time. The game was eventually ported to Sony’s new console as part of The Handsome Collection, and despite being developed by 2K Australia, introduced some interesting ideas. Chief among these was low-gravity gameplay, a feature of the title’s moon-based setting, as well as oxygen supplies. It also added a couple of fresh weapon types, including lasers.
6. Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure (PS4)
In order to build anticipation for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Gearbox decided to release Borderlands 2 expansion pack Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep as a standalone game. Despite only offering approximately five hours of gameplay, a fraction of a traditional Borderlands campaign, this is a nice bitesized adventure that bridges the gap between its full-blown successor.
5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (PS5)
This Borderlands spin-off takes the loot-and-shoot gameplay fans know and love, then puts a fantasy spin on the whole thing. The result works pretty well, with the titular Tiny Tina acting as a sort of game master while you and your co-op companions explore a varied world. With a flexible class system letting you make your own unique hero, and of course a wide array of weapons and abilities to wield, this combines the chaos of Borderlands with the adventuring spirit of D&D.
4. Borderlands 3 (PS4)
Borderlands 3 took the shooting from the franchise's previous games and turned it into something amazing. Bringing with it over a billion guns to loot, the sheer variety on offer sky-rocketed, an all-new feel that added weight to every bullet Vault Hunters unloaded. Throw a huge open world campaign into the mix along with online co-op, and you and your friends have the recipe for an FPS experience you won't forget in a hurry.
3. Tales from the Borderlands (PS4)
When episodic developer Telltale, at the peak of its powers, announced it was making an adaptation of Borderlands, many were flabbergasted. While the Gearbox-created series had proven commercially popular, its loot system and co-op gameplay were what set it apart – not its often juvenile humour. Tales from the Borderlands, however, bucked all trends, bringing genuine depth to the universe and a cast of characters you actually wanted to root for. Not only was this one of Telltale’s best games, it’s also one of the best Borderlands games, too.
2. Borderlands (PS3)
The game that started it all, Borderlands brought fresh energy to the dreary 2009 FPS scene on PS3. With a vivid cel-shaded art style, and Diablo-style loot, the co-op shooter felt like a breath of fresh air. While its comparatively lightweight campaign has since been bettered by its successors, the original still deserves credit for getting the franchise off the ground.
1. Borderlands 2 (PS3)
Like so many PS3-era sequels, Borderlands 2 refined the formula of the original game and made it a household name. Many of the gameplay systems remain the same, including the procedurally generated loot and emphasis on co-op – but with the franchise already well established, there’s just much more meat on this outing’s bones. An enormous post-release offering, spanning four expansions – including the fantasy-themed Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep – kept the title fresh beyond launch, and ensured its place among the best PS3 games.
And with that our list of the best Borderlands games is complete. Do you agree with the ordering, or do you believe a game has been done dirty? As always, this is your list determined by your ratings, so feel free to use the search tool above to submit your own scores for any of the above games.
Comments 22
I played the first Borderlands and loved it. 2nd game came out and couldn't stand it! Keep thinking to try the 3rd game but it looks too live service for me. Is that the case? Is it more tailored to co-op? I don't like people and would rather be a loner
@Monstermash40 im pretty much going through it myself and so far its completely playable solo...make sure youre on a SX/PS5 though...load times for last gen are abysmal 🙂
I've just looked and Borderlands 3 is 90% off! £6.49 Bargain!
@ironcrow86 I'll bet! I got it on the ps5 so hopefully that'll ease the pain
Tales of borderlands ahead of Wonderlands is criminal ?? Wonderlands was best of borderlands since ps3 release Borderlands 2...
2 is easily my favorite, I loved 1 as, but was so disappointed in 3 and the Pre-sequel.
I use to be huge into this series back in the early days but I've mostly fallen off them years ago so I'm missing quite a few of them.
4. Borderlands 3
3. Borderlands 2
2. Borderlands
1. Tales from the Borderlands
Any game with Handsome Jack > any game without.
@Uromastryx Remember you can submit your own ratings, so the power is in your hands!
I enjoyed my playthrough of New Tales from the Borderlands. I found it consistently funny.
only the first 2 are good
@Monstermash40 You literally could have downloaded it for 'free' on ps plus, if you were 2/3 days quicker!
@J2theEzzo I'm 2 months clean of playstation plus and recovering well. I didn't use the service as it was intended. It really was a waste of money for me.
Played Borderland 1 for a couple of hours and i found it boring af. Didn't bother to finish it and didn't play the sequels, pre-sequel, VR, or Tiny Tina either.
But i played Tales from the Borderlands 1 and it was pretty fun, more fun than Borderland 1. Don't know about the 2nd game but i'm not surprise looking at the low scores.
@Monstermash40 I loved 1,2 and presequel, but 3 was pretty weird. Most of the current era streamer jokes fel flat for me. The gunplay is still pretty solid tho!
@Monstermash40 I think a lot of peoppe would be glad to have the old tier back, where you didnt get games, but multiplayer online was free. I'm sure I'd be satisfied with that!
Pre-sequel is my favorite by far.
2 and first Tales are decent enough the rest just isn't worth bothering with. 3 was one of the most painfully misjudged games I've ever played.
Number one: The Handsome Collection. It has BL2, Pre-Sequel, dlc to both games minus the Fight for Sanctuary BL2 dlc, and all with upgraded graphics, improved frame rates, and faster loading from the PS3 originals.
Number two: Borderlands 1 on PS4. Has all dlc with improved graphics, frame rates, and loading times from PS3 original.
@LikelySatan The Pre-Sequel is very underrated in my opinion
@Gremio108 yeah, I said it elsewhere but it's very much Mad Max on the moon.
Wonderlands and the pre sequal are objectively better than 1, but it's a slim margin cause bl1 started it all and was my first platinum trophy.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...