Borderlands 4: Release Date, Pre-Order Bonuses, Cross-Play and DLC Explained

Borderlands 4 launches September 12, 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch successor version to follow. The campaign shifts to Kairos under the Timekeeper’s rule, and the combat loop speeds up with gliding, dodge tech, and fixed-point grapples that turn firefights into fast, vertical brawls.

Want the cleanest look at tone, traversal, and rhythm? Watch the official launch week trailer below.

• Global unlocks: Console rollouts hit local midnight by region, while PC follows a unified schedule. Plan squads around the official timing matrix hier.
• New planet, new meta: Kairos’ patrol-heavy zones and vertical hubs push mobile, burst-friendly builds over bunker play.
• Four-player co-op: Drop-in co-op returns with role clarity rewarded by set-piece arenas and stackable utility.

Pre-order bonuses and editions

Three paths, three horizons. If the group plans to stay for endgame and DLC, align editions now so content access stays in sync.

• Standard: Base game plus the Gilded Glory Pack pre-order bonus: Vault Hunter head and skin, weapon skin, ECHO‑4 drone skin, and an early Legendary bundle.
• Deluxe: Adds new regions with unique bosses, Vault Cards for challenge rewards, and expanded cosmetics to chase.
• Super Deluxe: Includes two story packs and two playable Vault Hunters, plus more regions, activities, vehicles, and cosmetics.
• Compare editions: Review content differences and lock the same tier across the squad to avoid desyncs official edition comparison.

Cross-play, saves, and platform notes

Cross-play is confirmed at launch via SHiFT accounts. Cross-save and cross-progression are not guaranteed day one, so plan mains per platform if splitting time. The official FAQ will carry any policy changes post‑launch.

• Cross-play: Enabled across PC and consoles with SHiFT party linking; level scaling keeps mixed-power teams coherent.
• Cross-progression: Not promised at release. Create separate mains for week one if multi-platform, and monitor updates on the FAQ.
• PC storefronts: Steam and Epic support pre-purchase; content parity across Standard, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe.

What to watch before launch

The trailer shows how traversal shapes fights: glide entry into crowd control, a grappling re‑angle, then an Action Skill punish to lock rooms. Builds with mobility perks and short‑cooldown utility shine over static turret setups.

• Role clarity: Pick one mobility leaning per Vault Hunter and spec secondaries around team gaps, not just solo DPS.
• Edition planning: If the team wants post‑launch Vault Hunters and story arcs, commit to Super Deluxe so seasonal schedules stay aligned.
• First‑week routing: Expect patrol‑dense overworlds and vertical dungeons; prep for ammo economy, stagger management, and fast repositioning.