Lead
Borderlands 4 arrives on September 12, 2025 for most platforms, with the Switch 2 edition scheduled to follow in October. The launch is one of the most anticipated of 2025 and has reignited debate over whether fans should preorder or hold off. Preorders are available in a Standard edition with a Gilded Glory Pack and a higher-priced Super Deluxe edition that bundles extra DLC and two playable characters. The smartest choice depends on whether you value day‑one access and cosmetic bonuses, or prefer waiting for patches and potential discounts.
Key Takeaways
- Release date: Borderlands 4 is due September 12, 2025 on most platforms; Switch 2 arrives later in October 2025.
- Standard edition preorder includes the Gilded Glory Pack: a Vault Hunter skin, a weapon skin, and an Echo 4 drone skin.
- Super Deluxe edition bundles the base game plus Firehawk’s Fury weapon skin, Ornate Order Pack, Bounty Pack Bundle, Vault Hunter Pack, and the Gilded Glory Pack.
- The Super Deluxe edition is reported to cost almost double the base game price, primarily for the extra DLC and two additional playable characters.
- Developer commentary indicates there will be a day‑one patch and additional updates likely after launch.
- Price reductions are unlikely before next year; waiting may yield discounts but delays immediate access and multiplayer synchronization with friends.
- Buyers who prioritize playing at launch or want the bundled DLC may find value in preordering; budget‑minded players may benefit from waiting.
Background
The Borderlands franchise, created by Gearbox, has built a strong co‑op audience over nearly two decades. Each mainline installment has generated substantial launch‑week engagement, heavy post‑release patching and a steady program of paid and free post‑launch content. That history shapes how fans and retailers price and promote preorders: publishers use bundles and early bonuses to capture committed buyers before first reviews and word‑of‑mouth fully form.
Preorder incentives in AAA gaming typically include cosmetic packs, early access and season passes or DLC bundles. Such offers can tilt the balance for players who want to experience new areas or characters immediately. At the same time, high‑profile launches frequently ship with day‑one patches to address final build issues and often receive more substantive updates during the opening weeks.
Main Event
Two editions dominate the preorder conversation. The Standard edition gives buyers the base game and the Gilded Glory Pack as a preorder bonus; it is intended for players who simply want the core experience on day one. The Super Deluxe edition adds several cosmetic packs plus two bundles—the Bounty Pack Bundle and the Vault Hunter Pack—that include new regions, missions and bosses as well as two extra playable characters.
The Super Deluxe tier is positioned as the long‑term value play for those who want extended content from day one, while the Standard edition is aimed at players who are satisfied with the base campaign and a small set of cosmetics. Retail descriptions and publisher marketing emphasize the DLC content in the Super Deluxe bundle as the primary differentiator rather than transient skins.
Developer and executive commentary ahead of launch has highlighted the existence of a day‑one patch. That suggests the shipped disc or download may not reflect the final live experience, and additional patches are likely in the days and weeks after September 12. For Switch 2 owners, the later October release introduces another variable: performance and parity relative to other platforms remain to be validated by hands‑on reviews.
Analysis & Implications
From an economic perspective, preordering makes sense only if you place high value on immediate access or the DLC included with higher tiers. The Super Deluxe edition purports to bundle content that will otherwise be sold post‑launch, which can offer savings for players certain they will play the extra campaigns and characters. However, the near‑doubling of price raises the break‑even question: will you use enough of the added content to justify the premium?
Timing matters because initial technical quality affects enjoyment and long‑term perception. Day‑one patches are common and can be minor or substantial; if early reports point to stability problems, refunds or returns windows and platform policies will matter. For co‑op players, buying at the same time as friends avoids matchmaking and progress divergences, but it also risks encountering early bugs together.
For collectors and completionists, the Super Deluxe edition consolidates extras in a single purchase, reducing the need to chase separate DLC drops. For budget players, waiting for a sale or retailer discount—often occurring several months after launch—remains the most reliable way to reduce cost. Historically, large AAA titles rarely see meaningful discounts until late in their release year or the following year.
Comparison & Data
| Edition | Release Date | Key Contents | Price Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Sept 12, 2025 | Base game + Gilded Glory Pack (Vault Hunter skin, weapon skin, Echo 4 drone skin) | Base price at launch |
| Super Deluxe | Sept 12, 2025 | Base game + Firehawk’s Fury skin, Ornate Order Pack, Bounty Pack Bundle, Vault Hunter Pack, Gilded Glory Pack (includes DLC and 2 playable characters) | Reportedly nearly double the base price |
| Switch 2 edition | October 2025 | Same editions planned but later availability; platform performance to be reviewed | Launch delayed by ~1 month |
This comparison shows the Super Deluxe edition is marketed for players seeking expanded campaign content and additional characters, while the Standard edition focuses on the core game and minor cosmetic incentives. Platform timing for Switch 2 creates a staggered launch window that may influence peer play and reviews.
Reactions & Quotes
Publisher statements and executive comments have framed the launch as significant but iterative, with an explicit expectation of post‑launch updates. The following captures the tone around launch preparedness and player advice.
“Expect a day‑one patch to accompany the launch.”
Randy Pitchford, Gearbox executive (paraphrased)
The statement above was made in the context of developers preparing final stability fixes and balancing updates. It signals that players should anticipate at least one mandatory download when they first install the game.
“The Super Deluxe bundle is aimed at players who want the extra story areas and characters included from day one.”
Publisher marketing summary (paraphrased)
Retail and publisher pages emphasize the DLC as the Super Deluxe selling point, framing it as convenience and long‑term content for committed players. Early community reaction online splits between those prioritizing immediate co‑op sessions and those preferring to wait for initial reviews.
Unconfirmed
- The exact size and contents of the day‑one patch are not publicly detailed and may vary by platform.
- The precise price points and regional pricing that make the Super Deluxe edition “worth it” will depend on individual play patterns and have not been universally benchmarked.
- Performance and feature parity of the Switch 2 edition versus other platforms remain to be validated by independent reviews after the October release.
Bottom Line
If you value playing at launch, want the convenience of bundled DLC and are willing to pay a premium, preordering—especially the Super Deluxe edition—can be justified. Preorders guarantee day‑one access and collect bundled content that might otherwise be purchased piecemeal later.
If you are price‑sensitive, prefer a smoother launch experience, or want to wait for independent performance testing on your platform, waiting is a sensible choice. Sales and discounts are more likely several months after release, and early patches can materially improve stability and balance.
For co‑op players, coordinate purchases with friends to avoid content or progression mismatches. For collectors, weigh whether the added characters and regions in Super Deluxe are content you will regularly engage with before committing to the higher price.
Sources
- IGN — Entertainment/news outlet (original article and reporting on editions, release dates and developer commentary)