Key takeaways
- Which system do your co-op friends own? Borderlands is a four-player co-op game at heart. Crossplay support has been a moving target across the series and, where present, is typically limited to same-generation hardware. Buying on a platform your regular group does not own is the single most common purchase regret here.
- Do you care about frame rate more than resolution? If yes, PC and the PS5/Xbox performance modes are your targets. The Switch 2 version trades visual fidelity for portability — a fair trade if handheld sessions are your reality, a poor one if you play docked on a large TV.
- Do you want to play in the first month? PC and current-gen consoles got the full launch window; Switch 2 owners waited roughly three weeks. That gap matters mainly if you play with a group that does not want to wait.
Borderlands 4 Release Date: Everything Confirmed So Far
Borderlands 4 launched on September 12, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Xbox Series X|S, per the publisher’s own store listings. A Nintendo Switch 2 version followed on October 3, 2025, and a Mac release is planned but not yet dated. If you are buying now, the practical decision is not whether the game exists — it is which platform you own, which edition tier matches how much Borderlands you actually intend to play, and whether the preorder bonuses still apply to your purchase window.
That last point trips people up more than any other. Most of the flashy preorder cosmetics were tied to a purchase before launch, and what remains on store pages after launch varies by platform and region. The table below lays out the launch picture in one place, then the sections underneath explain the edition tiers and how to pick between them.
Our top picks
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Quick Comparison: Borderlands 4 Platforms at a Glance
| Platform | Release date | Performance target (per official spec listings) | Typical standard edition price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 / PS5 Pro | September 12, 2025 | Up to 4K, 60 fps performance mode; PS5 Pro enhanced | ~$70 | Console-first players who want the largest active online pool |
| Xbox Series X|S | September 12, 2025 | Series X: up to 4K/60; Series S: 1440p-class, 60 fps target | ~$70 | Game Pass-adjacent households and Quick Resume users |
| Windows PC (Steam / Epic) | September 12, 2025 | Uncapped frame rate, upscaling support, ultrawide support | ~$70 | Modders, high-refresh monitor owners, keyboard-and-mouse aim |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | October 3, 2025 | Docked and handheld modes; visual concessions expected vs. PS5/Xbox | ~$70 | Portable play and handheld-only households |
Prices are general market ranges for the base game and shift with regional pricing, currency, and periodic sales. None of these figures are fixed by anything other than the publisher’s current listed price.
Which Platform Should You Buy On?
This is a decision you can settle in about thirty seconds with three questions.
- Which system do your co-op friends own? Borderlands is a four-player co-op game at heart. Crossplay support has been a moving target across the series and, where present, is typically limited to same-generation hardware. Buying on a platform your regular group does not own is the single most common purchase regret here.
- Do you care about frame rate more than resolution? If yes, PC and the PS5/Xbox performance modes are your targets. The Switch 2 version trades visual fidelity for portability — a fair trade if handheld sessions are your reality, a poor one if you play docked on a large TV.
- Do you want to play in the first month? PC and current-gen consoles got the full launch window; Switch 2 owners waited roughly three weeks. That gap matters mainly if you play with a group that does not want to wait.
If you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S
Buy the standard edition on the console you already have. The current-gen versions hit the smoothest blend of load times and stable frame pacing, and the online player pools are largest at and shortly after launch. The trade-off is that you are locked into console pricing with fewer discount avenues than PC storefronts.
If you own a gaming PC
PC is the version with the longest tail. You get uncapped frame rates on high-refresh monitors, ultrawide aspect ratio support, and the modding scene that has extended the lifespan of every previous Borderlands entry. The trade-off is that PC launches in this series have historically needed a patch or two before performance settles, so a mid-range rig may want to wait for the first stability update before judging it.
If you own a Switch 2
The Switch 2 release is the pick for handheld players and anyone whose TV is usually occupied. You are accepting visual compromises relative to PS5 and Xbox, and you waited longer for the port. What you get in exchange is a full Borderlands campaign you can play on a commute — which, for a loot game built on short grinding sessions, is a genuinely good fit.
Borderlands 4 Editions: What Each Tier Actually Contains
The edition structure follows the series’ established pattern: a base standard edition, one mid-tier upgrade bundling a season pass, and a top tier stacking cosmetic and currency bonuses on top. Exact contents are set by the publisher and have shifted between storefronts, so treat the table as the shape of the offering and confirm the itemized list on the product page you are buying from.
| Edition | Typical price range | Core content | Extra content | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~$70 | Base game | Launch-window preorder cosmetic pack (if purchased before launch) | Players unsure they will finish the campaign |
| Deluxe | ~$100 | Base game | Season pass, bonus cosmetic items, in-game currency bundle | Players certain they will play the DLC drops |
| Ultimate / Super Deluxe | ~$120–$150 | Base game + season pass | Additional cosmetic packs, extra currency, digital extras | Completionists and long-term series players |
One structural fact worth knowing before you upgrade: the season pass is the only component of the higher tiers that covers content you cannot buy separately later. Cosmetics and currency bundles usually appear as standalone add-ons post-launch, and season passes are occasionally sold on their own. If the mid-tier price equals the base game plus the standalone season pass, the edition upgrade is offering you cosmetics and currency as the actual premium — decide whether you value those on their own merits rather than treating the bundle as a discount on the DLC.
Preorder Bonuses: What Still Applies
Preorder bonuses in this series are overwhelmingly cosmetic — character skins, weapon trinkets, and vault hunter appearance items — and they are almost always delivered as a one-time code or an account-linked entitlement, not as something baked into the disc or download.
- Timing: True preorder bonuses required a purchase before the launch date. Anything advertised after launch is a general promotional bonus, which may or may not match the preorder set.
- Delivery: Digital purchases on PS5, Xbox, Steam, and Epic typically grant entitlements automatically to your account. Physical copies usually include a code slip inside the case — lose it and you lose the bonus.
- Redemption windows: Bonus codes commonly carry an expiration date listed in fine print. Redeem the day you buy the game; do not shelve the code slip for a rainy day.
- Region locks: Codes are frequently region-locked to the storefront region of purchase. A code bought from a different region’s store will often fail silently.
The worked math on edition value
Take a hypothetical player who buys the standard edition at ~$70, then later adds the season pass as a standalone purchase. If the season pass retails around $30 when sold separately, that total is roughly $100 — the same as the deluxe edition, but without the deluxe cosmetics. That comparison only favors the deluxe tier if you want the cosmetics. If you would never equip them, buying standard and adding the season pass separately later is the more flexible path, because you can wait to see whether the DLC actually interests you before committing.
Run the same math for the top tier: if the ultimate edition sits around $140 and the deluxe at $100, you are paying roughly $40 for cosmetics and currency. That is a fair price only if you are the kind of player who uses appearance customization heavily and values the in-game currency bundle. Otherwise the deluxe is the better-value ceiling.
Ownership Realities: What to Know After You Buy
Two things wear out before anything else in a Borderlands purchase.
- The base-game content runs out first. A main campaign typically lands in the 25–40 hour range for a first playthrough, with substantially more if you chase side missions and level cap increases. Seasonal DLC extends that significantly, which is why the season pass decision matters more than the cosmetic decision.
- Storage does, too. Modern entries in this series install at 60–100 GB depending on platform and DLC state. Switch 2 owners in particular should check free internal storage before buying, since the handheld ships with limited built-in space and the game may require additional storage media.
Common mistakes worth avoiding: buying the wrong region’s copy, sitting on a physical bonus code past its redemption date, buying the ultimate edition for cosmetics you will never see on a first-person weapon view, and assuming crossplay will cover a platform mismatch with your co-op group. Check that last one first — it is the only one of these that cannot be fixed with more money.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Borderlands 4 come out?
Borderlands 4 released on September 12, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. The Nintendo Switch 2 version arrived separately on October 3, 2025. A Mac version has been referenced in platform plans but does not carry a confirmed date.
Is Borderlands 4 on PS4 or Xbox One?
No. The game targets current-generation hardware only — PS5 (including PS5 Pro), Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. Last-generation consoles are not part of the supported platform list, so a PS4 or Xbox One owner would need to upgrade hardware to play.
Which edition of Borderlands 4 is worth buying?
For most players, the standard edition or the deluxe edition are the only two rational choices. Buy standard if you are unsure you will finish the campaign; buy deluxe if you already know you want the post-launch DLC. The top tier only makes sense if you actively use cosmetics and the bundled currency.
Does Borderlands 4 have crossplay?
Crossplay support has varied across the series and has typically been limited to same-generation hardware where it exists at all. Because this changes with patches, confirm the current crossplay status for your specific platform pairing close to purchase rather than assuming it from earlier entries.
Do preorder bonuses still apply if I buy now?
Generally no, in the strict sense. Preorder bonuses required a purchase before the launch date, and what remains afterward is a general promotional bundle that may differ from the original set. Digital buyers should check their account entitlements; physical buyers should check whether the code slip inside the case is still valid and unexpired.
How much storage does Borderlands 4 need?
Install sizes in this series commonly land between 60 and 100 GB depending on platform, resolution packs, and how much DLC you own. Switch 2 owners should verify free internal storage before purchase, since the handheld’s built-in capacity is limited and the install may require additional storage media.
