2KSix years since the last mainline entry, the highly anticipated Borderlands 4 is finally almost here.
The Borderlands series no doubt experienced its lowest point in 2024. With the movie being a historic flop both critically and at the box office, the future of the franchise as a whole came into question.
However, 2K and Gearbox Software are looking to get the franchise back on track with Borderlands 4, and they’ve already revealed a ton about it. From the release date and time to the characters and gameplay, here’s everything you need to know.
Borderlands 4 release date
Borderlands 4 releases on Friday, September 12, 2025, on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. However, the Switch 2 launch is scheduled for a few weeks later, on October 3, 2025.
Release times
2KPlayStation & Xbox
| Timezone | Release time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles (PT) | 9 PM (September 11) |
| New York/Toronto (ET) | 12 AM |
| Sao Paulo (BRT) | 12 AM |
| London (BST) | 12 AM |
| Berlin (CEST) | 12 AM |
| Tokyo (JST) | 12 AM |
| Melbourne (AEST) | 12 AM |
| Auckland (NZST) | 12 AM |
PC
| Timezone | Release time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles (PT) | 9 AM (September 11) |
| New York/Toronto (ET) | 12 PM (September 11) |
| Sao Paolo (BRT) | 1 PM (September 11) |
| London (BST) | 5 PM (September 11) |
| Berlin (CEST) | 6 PM (September 11) |
| São Paolo (BRT) | 1 AM |
| Sydney (AEST) | 2 AM |
| Wellington (NZST) | 4 AM |
How to preload
You can preload Borderlands 4 before it releases to ensure you’re able to play as soon as it drops. As of September 10, 2025, all platforms can preload the adventure. To do so, follow the steps below for your platform.
Before preloading, you must have preordered Borderlands 4.
Steam
- Head to Borderlands 4 in your Steam Library, provided you have pre-ordered it.
- Click on it and select the Preload icon, where play usually is.
- It’ll begin downloading.
Xbox & PlayStation
- Preorder Borderlands 4 on the console store.
- Head to your library, find the game, and click Preload or Download.
Download size
Preloading Borderlands 4 is probably a good idea if your WiFi is slow, as it’s not exactly a small game. In fact, it’s the following sizes for your platform:
- Xbox Series X|S: 29.5 GB
- PS5: 28.168 GB
- PC: 65 GB
Trailers
The official story trailer for Borderlands 4 dropped on June 21, 2025. Alongside showcasing more gameplay, the footage provided a better look at the new destination, Kairos, as well as the Timekeeper.
The enigmatic antagonist and their henchman feature prominently, as do Borderlands 4’s new Vault Hunters as well as a handful of returning characters, including Claptrap and Moxxi.
A new Borderlands 4 trailer was shown off during the February 2025 State of Play, and alongside some more gameplay, it also finally revealed the game’s release date.
Related
Borderlands fans were treated to their best look at the game yet during the 2024 Game Awards. Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford took to the stage to announce the new footage, the first look yet at gameplay.
The first teaser for Borderlands 4 dropped at the start of Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, teasing an upgraded art style as well as what Take-Two has confirmed to be “a new planet.”
Editions & Pre-order bonuses
In addition to the standard version priced at $69.99, two additional, more expensive editions are available to pre-order.
The Deluxe Edition costs $99.99 and includes the Bounty Pack Bundle. This includes four individual post-launch DLCs, each containing “distinct areas, new missions, and unique bosses,” according to Gearbox. Other contents include Vault Cards, more loot, vehicles, and cosmetics, including the Firehawk’s Fury Weapon Skin.
At $129.99, the Super Deluxe Edition is the most expensive version of Borderlands 4. This includes all of the Deluxe Edition content and an additional post-launch DLC, the Vault Hunter Pack. This encompasses two “Story Packs,” each delivering a new playable character, side missions, gear, and cosmetics.
The Super Deluxe Edition also includes the Ornate Order Pack, containing more cosmetics in the form of Vault Hunter skins, Heads, and Bodies.
Finally, no matter which edition you go for, all Borderlands 4 pre-orders will receive the Gilded Glory Pack, which contains one Vault Hunter, Weapon, and ECHO-4 Drone skin.
Platforms
Borderlands 4 will be released for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC through both Steam and the Epic Games Store, along with the Nintendo Switch 2 release arriving on October 3.
What is Borderlands 4 about?
Stranded on the planet Kairos, you play as a Vault Hunter searching for “secret alien treasure while blasting everything in sight.”
While looting, shooting, and exploring Kairos, you’ll be fighting back against the Timekeeper. This ruthless dictator rules the prison planet and uses cybernetic implants to “watch over and control his citizens.”
You’ll be taking back the planet by claiming Points of Interest for the “Crimson Resistance.” You can find Safe Houses and communications balloons around the map, and killing the nearby enemies will allow you to reclaim them, unlocking extra fast travel options and more.
Expanding on goals for the fourth mainline entry during a PAX West 2024 panel, Narrative Director Sam Winkler explained how the team is not only focusing on realizing a “grounded world,” but that the onus is back on the players. “Vault hunters are the central characters of our story.”
“Feeling like you’re the one pushing things along and getting things taken care of, instead of being along for a ride” is a big focus for the upcoming sequel, Senior Product Producer Anthony Nicholson added.
Characters & cast
- Amon the Forgeknight – Ray Chase
- Harlowe the Gravitar – Kimberly Brooks
- Vex the Siren – Judy Alice Lee
- Rafa the Exo-Soldier – Alejandro Saab
- The Timekeeper – Dave Fennoy
- Rush – Delbert Hunt
- Levaine – Erica Luttrell
- Defiant Calder – Trevor Devall
- Moxxi – Brina Palencia
- Claptrap – Jim Foronda
- Zane – Cian Barry
- Amara – Zehra Fazal
Gameplay
In the first look trailer for the game, we got a brief look at gameplay, and it looks to be the same beloved looter shooter action the franchise is known for. Players will journey across the new planet of Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters.
Take-Two InteractiveThere will be hordes of loot to collect, dynamic movement abilities, and deep skill trees to customize your ideal builds. Borderlands 4 will also feature split-screen co-op, at least for those on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as confirmed in both store listings.
You can also check out the best games of the year so far, as well as the full release calendar for everything still to come.