Borderlands 4 will not cost $80, despite misguided executive comments
Borderlands 4 , the latest entry in Gearbox Software's popular looter shooter franchise, is available to pre-order now for $70, a good $10 less than many assumed it would cost. The game's price first came into question when its September 12 release date was announced without pre-order details, and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford suggested that whether the game came with a $80 price tag was out of his hands.
Pitchford put his foot in his mouth in a thread on X sharing a behind-the-scenes video about bringing Borderlands 4 to the Switch 2. A fan replied to the video asking Pitchford to not charge $80 for the game, to which Pitchford responded, "A) Not my call. B) If you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen." To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
A) Not my call. B) If you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for Sega Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 14, 2025
Naturally, that came off as a bit glib to anyone surprised by the sudden emergence of $80 games following the release of Mario Kart World . Pitchford didn't exactly double-down next, but at a PAX East panel later in May, he also didn't deny the game would have a higher price, noting that " Borderlands 4 has more than twice the development budget than Borderlands 3. "
The official pre-order information settles things: the game is not going the way of Mario Kart. The Standard Edition of Borderlands 4 costs $70 and comes with free Vault Hunter, weapon and drone skins if you pre-order. If you step up to the $100 Deluxe Edition, you get even more skins and a "Bounty Pack Bundle" that includes exclusive areas and weapons. For the $130 Super Deluxe Edition, you get all of that plus the "Vault Hunter Pack," which includes the game's two story DLC packs and new playable characters. A $70 game is not a $60 game, but if price is your biggest concern, it's better than $80.
Gearbox plans to show off more of Borderlands 4 's story and gameplay at Borderlands Fan Fest on June 21. The game is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X / S and PC on September 12. The Switch 2 release is scheduled for 2025, too, and Gearbox plans to share more information about it at a later date.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Tom's Guide
35 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
I've played Nintendo Switch 2 for over a week — and I'm already bored
I wasn't a fan of the original Nintendo Switch, but the Nintendo Switch 2 caught my attention when it was announced. I was interested in the new machine since it addressed almost every technical issue I had with its predecessor. Switch 2's more ergonomic design makes it easier to use in handheld mode, and games look and perform great on 4K TVs. It's not a giant leap forward, but it delivers meaningful changes. The first weekend I spent with the Switch 2 was fantastic. Playing Mario Kart World with some of my Tom's Guide colleagues was a blast, and I enjoyed seeing how games like Street Fighter 6 worked with a Pro controller. Tinkering with the settings to get the best picture quality on my OLED TV was also enjoyable. However, over a week later, I'm back to playing on my PS5. While the Nintendo Switch 2 is undoubtedly an impressive system, I'm about ready to shelf it until I have a reason (or reasons) to play it. Here's why I've grown bored with the Switch 2. Nintendo Switch 2 takes what worked about its best-selling predecessor and makes impactful upgrades across the board. From the excellent, and noticeably larger, 7.9-inch display to the more powerful internal specs, the Switch 2 is a full leap forward and the best hybrid console you can buy. Note that the system is currently sold out, so keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch 2 restock page for updates! Aside from Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is effectively a tech demo, Mario Kart World is currently the only true Switch 2 exclusive. As its name suggests, this game features a giant open world to explore when not participating in races. If you like Forza Horizon 5, you'll feel at home here. The slew of gameplay modes, unlockables and other secrets arguably justify its $80 asking price. Like I said, I had a lot of fun playing this game with colleagues. I even dabbled in some online matches, though none of the folks I played with used mics to talk. Throughout the week, I'd try to get first place in every Grand Prix race and unlock new characters, costumes and vehicles along the way. Trying (and failing) to master techniques like wall riding was also fun. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of incentive to keep playing. As we said in our Mario Kart World review, the open world is great if you just want to aimlessly drive around. But if you're a goal-oriented gamer like me, even this admittedly impressive open world can get stale fast. I also wish the game had some kind of checklist of what you've unlocked and what you need to do to unlock other items. Anything to give me more direction (no pun intended) would have been appreciated. Again, I want to stress that Mario Kart World is absolutely a reason to buy a Switch 2 since it can offer a lot of replayability for long-time fans. However, Nintendo tourists like me might not stick with the title for long, even if they think it's an overall great game. The Switch 2 isn't lacking when it comes to third-party support. Everyone from the likes of Capcom, Sega and Square-Enix have ported some of their games to Nintendo's latest system. And unlike the original Switch, the Switch 2 does a better job of running graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and semi-open world titles like Yakuza 0. If you're a Nintendo-only gamer, finally having a chance to play major third-party games is a big deal. However, if you're like me and also own a PS5 and a gaming PC, then you've most likely already played many of the system's third-party offerings. And though Switch 2 games look great on the handheld's 7.9-inch 1080p display or your TV/monitor in docked mode, they're not as visually sharp as they would be on a rival platform. The main reason you'd want to buy a third-party game you already own is if you want to take it on the road. This was a huge selling point for the Switch back in 2017. Things are different now in 2025 since PC handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally X exist. If you want to play games like Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 on the go, there's already hardware out there to facilitate that. I don't want to be too harsh on Nintendo Switch 2 since it's not the first video game console to have an underwhelming launch lineup. I also grew tired of my PS5 during its launch window for the same reason. That just means Nintendo's console/handheld hybrid will become more interesting over time, especially with Donkey Kong Bananza arriving on July 17 and Metroid Prime 4 later this year. Given the current Nintendo Switch 2 restock situation, it would be a good idea to get a system now if you can find one. I have no doubt it will eventually have a robust gaming library of first- and third-party titles. If you're lucky enough to get a Switch 2, just be sure to keep your expectations in check. While the system is good, it has yet to really show us what it's capable of.

Engadget
9 hours ago
- Engadget
Borderlands 4 will not cost $80, despite misguided executive comments
Borderlands 4 , the latest entry in Gearbox Software's popular looter shooter franchise, is available to pre-order now for $70, a good $10 less than many assumed it would cost. The game's price first came into question when its September 12 release date was announced without pre-order details, and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford suggested that whether the game came with a $80 price tag was out of his hands. Pitchford put his foot in his mouth in a thread on X sharing a behind-the-scenes video about bringing Borderlands 4 to the Switch 2. A fan replied to the video asking Pitchford to not charge $80 for the game, to which Pitchford responded, "A) Not my call. B) If you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen." To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. A) Not my call. B) If you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for Sega Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen. — Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 14, 2025 Naturally, that came off as a bit glib to anyone surprised by the sudden emergence of $80 games following the release of Mario Kart World . Pitchford didn't exactly double-down next, but at a PAX East panel later in May, he also didn't deny the game would have a higher price, noting that " Borderlands 4 has more than twice the development budget than Borderlands 3. " The official pre-order information settles things: the game is not going the way of Mario Kart. The Standard Edition of Borderlands 4 costs $70 and comes with free Vault Hunter, weapon and drone skins if you pre-order. If you step up to the $100 Deluxe Edition, you get even more skins and a "Bounty Pack Bundle" that includes exclusive areas and weapons. For the $130 Super Deluxe Edition, you get all of that plus the "Vault Hunter Pack," which includes the game's two story DLC packs and new playable characters. A $70 game is not a $60 game, but if price is your biggest concern, it's better than $80. Gearbox plans to show off more of Borderlands 4 's story and gameplay at Borderlands Fan Fest on June 21. The game is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X / S and PC on September 12. The Switch 2 release is scheduled for 2025, too, and Gearbox plans to share more information about it at a later date.


Gizmodo
11 hours ago
- Gizmodo
The Switch 2 Is My Favorite Way to Play Cyberpunk 2077, and It's Not Just Mouse Controls
2025 I've tested Cyberpunk 2077 on so many different systems, handhelds, and PCs, you would assume the word 'choom' would send me into a state of cyberpsychosis. But I'm midway through yet another playthrough of the game on Switch 2, and I can already tell this will be the first system I use to finally complete the game since I last played it in 2020. The version of Cyberpunk 2025 tuned for Nintendo's new handheld is the most seamless and comfortable edition that still showcases the game's beautiful environments. Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 The game looks great handheld or docked, and while mouse mode isn't great for long sessions gyro controls make up for it. Pros Runs at playable frame rates in most scenarios Runs at playable frame rates in most scenarios Incredible graphics in 1080p (even in handheld mode) Incredible graphics in 1080p (even in handheld mode) Accurate gyro controls Accurate gyro controls Mouse mode offers more options for aiming Cons Some visual glitches caused by DLSS Some visual glitches caused by DLSS Inconsistent buttons in games and menus (especially in mouse mode) Inconsistent buttons in games and menus (especially in mouse mode) No automatic mouse mode control switching You can play CD Projekt Red's open-world cyber ninja simulator on either Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 with solid visuals at 60 frames per second in 'performance' mode, but it won't ever be as fluid a playable experience as it is on Switch 2. Yes, it's handy to take your console on the go without having to finagle any streaming over Wi-Fi, but when docked, the experience is still better due to tighter controls. By default and with two Joy-Con 2 controllers, Cyberpunk 2077 offers joystick plus gyro controls for aiming. There's a separate option you can turn on to enable Joy-Con 2 mouse mode. Either way, you can achieve better pinpoint-accurate gunplay than you can with thumbsticks. I could sit back on the couch and enjoy the game without hunching over a keyboard and mouse and still feel like I wasn't missing out on its high-octane, spectacle-fueled combat systems. In about 15 hours of gameplay, I tried both control sets and played in handheld mode as well. The mouse controls are very accurate, but the issue is always finding a comfortable position to rest your palm. My hand started cramping rather fast as I tried it on the couch cushion next to me or a chair's armrest. I was using the Killswitch case grip made by Dbrand, which made it far more ergonomic for mouse controls. The issue is how often you need to roll your hand to press face buttons for actions and menus. On the flip side, I found that the upgraded gyros on the Switch 2 are so clean, I was able to line up headshots with such ease I would rarely swap to mouse. The game also supports hand-wavy controls for reloading weapons or swinging melee weapons. I found these could feel far too much like the original Wii—where I would sweep my controller at open air and pray that my character performed the action I wanted. I kept to buttons and found it to be a much tighter experience. I also wish CD Projekt Red allowed me to keep both gyro/thumbstick and mouse controls on at the same time. If you enable mouse controls, you disable thumbsticks and gyros. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond promises to allow players to swap from thumbsticks to mouse just by plopping their controller on a surface. Something like that for Cyberpunk 2077 would go a long way to helping players avoid wrist pain. Cyberpunk 2077 plays at 1080p resolution in both handheld mode and when docked. Either way, you can expect it to get between 30 and 40 fps under 'quality' graphics settings, even during an intense gunfight. That's equivalent to what you may get on a Steam Deck, though I found the performance to be more consistent on Switch 2. I experienced some frame rate dips when driving in third person in dense environments (first-person mode aids frame rates by taking up a portion of the screen with the players' gun or car models—a longtime performance trick used by most first-person shooters). Any occasional performance hitching wasn't enough to distract from the game's visuals. If you're somebody who absolutely demands 60 fps from every game they play, you're not going to find that experience with Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2. There are occasional visual glitches. On complicated textures like rugs or fabric, the game rendered odd kaleidoscope effects that could become distracting in cutscenes. This is likely due to the use of Nvidia's DLSS. The Nintendo Switch 2 uses a custom Nvidia-made chip, and this means it can run AI upscaling to take a frame rendered at 720p and massage it to look like it's 1080p. The most recent version of Nvidia's upscaler, DLSS 4, is normally devoid of these glitches. The Switch 2's graphics processor is essentially equivalent to Nvidia's Ampere microarchitecture built close to five years ago, though Nvidia has obviously fine-tuned the system-on-chip (SoC) for Nintendo's hardware specs. This allows for some ray tracing lighting effects, though it can't ever be as punch-to-the-face spectacular as it can be on an ultra-expensive PC running with path tracing effects. The fact that we're still talking about Cyberpunk 2077 as a high bar for graphically demanding games five years after launch is a testament to just how beautiful—and intensive—the game can be. What gets lost in the obsession with performance is just how rich of a world CD Projekt Red established for the game. It's a game where the environment informs the story. Every bag of trash dumped on the side of the road speaks to a world that has become so corporatized there are no social services as simple as garbage pickup available to all but the wealthy. The player can climb to the top of an overlooking skyscraper and watch the evening haze choke Night City and all its inhabitants in a thick gloom. You need some amount of visual fidelity to represent that, and the Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 maintains that atmosphere. The first time I played the game shortly after launch, I ran through the full 60 hours in a state that would better be described as an interactive slideshow. The game was so bugged I sometimes felt like my PC was infected with an in-game neurovirus. But I still loved it for the wonderful, human-centric story it told—of characters who felt real and personable and themes of corporate oppression that feel more pertinent today than they did in 2020.