From the first Borderlands to the fourth and all of the prequels and sequels in between, the iconic looter shooter franchise is distinct, and there aren’t many many other games like it. The wonderful mix of the cartoonish art style, the quirky humor, and the overwhelming amount of loot is something that you simply don’t find in many games on the market now or in the past. While you can’t match the gameplay of Borderlands with a one-to-one experience, you can play a handful of games that feature one or more of the elements you find in the world Gearbox Software has created.

Whether it’s the looting mechanics, how the story is told, the visual style, or simply some humorous dialogue, we’ve rounded up some of the best games like Borderlands you should consider playing. Borderlands 4 may be on the way soon, but that’s not your only option to consider if you’re a fan of the franchise.

These games are all fully playable in 2025, but some might require you to dust off an old console. After all, Borderlands has been around since 2009, so it’s only right that we recognize some games from its initial generation. Be sure to also check out our picks for the best shooters and best FPS games.

• Developer: Gearbox Software
• Release Date: March 24, 2022
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands isn’t technically a Borderlands game, but it comes as close as anything you can play. The game is a spin-off from the mainline Borderlands series, and sees you play as a character in Tiny Tina’s treacherous yet hilarious Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Tiny Tina is the narrator for the game, and she takes you to all sorts of different locations across her D&D board. You’ll soon be wrapped up in Tina’s devious imagination as you unravel a story of mystery, betrayal, and adventure. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands features the same Borderlands vibe, including the graphics, loot, and mechanics, but it’s an alternate experience from the main games in the series.

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• Developer: Bethesda
• Release Date: November 10, 2015
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

We could put a few different Fallout games in this spot on the list, but we chose Fallout 4 due to its larger loot pool and more vibrant colors, which come closer to matching what you see in Borderlands. Fallout 4 is a post-apocalyptic journey across the Commonwealth of futuristic Boston, Massachusetts, where you play as a parent looking for their lost child. While Fallout doesn’t offer the exact same loot system as Borderlands, you’ll still be able to find, use, and equip thousands of different items as you explore the open world and defeat enemies. You can make use of some of those items to establish settlements across the map, which act as bases that allow you to customize your day-to-day experience outside of completing missions or exploring. If you play on PC, be sure to reference our list of the best Fallout 4 mods you should consider installing.

• Developer: People Can Fly
• Release Date: April 1, 2021
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Outriders was originally seen as a new kind of Borderlands experience, and that certainly holds up as you play through the game. It’s a looter shooter with flashy graphics, open zones to explore, and combat that offers a variety of ways to engage with enemies. The loot, especially, is what makes the game so similar to Borderlands, as you’ll see weapons and gear dropped in the dozens every time you kill a wave of enemies during a mission. Outriders also offers the ability to customize the difficulty of your playthrough by using a World Tier system. Playing on a higher tier means the enemies are more challenging, but your loot is far more useful and plentiful. If you’re looking for a new IP that’s similar to Borderlands, Outriders is the best way to go.

• Developer: Bungie
• Release Date: September 6, 2017
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

If you always dreamed of Borderlands, but with multiplayer elements, then you’re probably going to like what Destiny 2 has to offer. Destiny 2 features both PvP and PvE elements, but you can solely focus on PvE if that’s what you’re more interested in. The game offers a variety of game modes to play, and new updates are constantly being delivered to change up the experience. Destiny 2 offers a tremendous amount of loot to always strive for, and a majority of the best loot will take you hours to grind for. Still, Destiny 2 is a looter shooter mixed with an MMO, and if you can learn its mechanics and understand the core game, you’ll find a lot of similar elements to Borderlands. You can also hop in with no restrictions, as the game is free-to-play on all systems. However, if you want access to all content, you will have to pay for DLC, including the recent release, The Edge of Fate.

• Developer: Digital Extremes
• Release Date: March 25, 2013
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

Warframe is another MMO that’s also considered a looter shooter. It features both PvP and PvE game modes, but there’s a large focus on the PvE experience. This includes a set of main story missions you can complete right from the start of the game. These missions often feature other players fighting alongside you, but the loot you earn from the mission can’t be taken from you. As you grind through Warframe’s missions and other content, you’ll be able to progress your character’s abilities as well as kit them out with some of the best loot across the galaxy. Warframe is a fantastic space adventure with fast-paced combat, a rewarding loot system, a welcoming community, and it’s also entirely free-to-play.

• Developer: id Software
• Release Date: November 17, 2010
• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Rage is nearly as old as Borderlands, and the two games share a few key aspects that make either one appealing to a fan of the opposite franchise. For starters, Rage is a first-person shooter that features deformed enemies to fight, quirky characters to interact with, and a large world to explore. While the looting aspect of Rage is significantly diminished compared to Borderlands, you’ll still come across your fair share of weapons to equip. Rage also emphasizes vehicular combat, and there are a number of different vehicles you can unlock. The story in Rage will keep you engaged throughout its campaign, but the world, side content, and atmosphere make you want to stay until the end credits roll. You can also play Rage 2, a sequel that ups the ante in almost every area.

• Developer: Dambuster Studios
• Release Date: April 21, 2023
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

The first Dead Island game became infamous in the gaming community for its over-the-top gore and unique weaponry that’s used to mow down countless zombies. While it took a long time to release, Dead Island 2 is an excellent spiritual sequel. We say “spiritual” due to the fact that the two games aren’t really related in any way except for their core element–killing zombies. Dead Island 2 offers a more in-depth story, outstanding graphics that showcase a ruined Los Angeles, and a detailed weapon system that allows you to make all kinds of different zombie-killing machines. You’ll also find that Borderlands-style humor is present across the board in Dead Island 2, which is the cherry on top of some gory ice cream.

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
• Release Date: October 25, 2019
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch

The Outer Worlds is an RPG set in a distant galaxy in the far future of humanity. It takes you to several unique planets in a new galaxy after you awaken from a centuries-long hibernation slumber. The story in The Outer Worlds is intriguing and heartfelt, which sees you connect with a number of different characters, some of whom join you on your adventure and can be companions during missions and combat. With your party, you’ll make choices that impact how the game plays out and how certain characters act towards you. You’ll also come across hundreds of enemies that all have some loot for you to pick up. Perhaps the best part about The Outer Worlds, however, is the locations you can visit on the planets. Interacting with NPCs, finding secrets, and taking in the beautiful graphics are all core elements of The Outer Worlds, just as they are in Borderlands.

• Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
• Release Date: June 1, 2023
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

If there’s one game that can go toe-to-toe with Borderlands in terms of loot, it’s Diablo IV. The sheer volume of loot you can receive in Diablo IV is staggering, as the game’s open world features waves of enemies that can all drop some form of loot. Sometimes, you can get lucky and loot a rare weapon or gear piece, but you can also receive resources and currency that can be used to unlock other items. The gameplay of Diablo IV is fairly different from Borderlands, though, as the game is an ARPG that emphasizes character progression and abilities. It’s also played from a top-down point of view, which can be jarring for a first-person shooter fan. However, if you can get past the differences between it and Borderlands, you’ll find Diablo IV offers a similar experience in the way its loot mechanics work and how the game’s story unfolds. If you dig it, check our list of other games like Diablo.

• Developer: Irrational Games
• Release Date: March 26, 2013
• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

BioShock is another iconic franchise that actually came before Borderlands with the release of the original game. However, for this list, we’re going with Bioshock Infinite, as its combat is more fast-paced, the world of Columbia is more colorful, and the side characters are involved throughout the entire game. BioShock Infinite takes place in the floating city of Columbia, which ascended high above the clouds to escape the blasphemy of America. The entire city follows its religious leader, Comstock, and acts more like a cult than anything. You play as Booker DeWitt after you somehow wind up in Columbia. The journey that follows after you arrive is one you’ll never forget, as the story and ending of Bioshock Infinite are regarded as some of the best the video game industry has to offer. Compared to Borderlands, Infinite offers decently varied loot, thrilling combat, and plenty of secrets to uncover.