Short answer: Mafia II: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the 2010 Mafia II, not a remake. 2K describes it as having improved visuals and audio; it also bundles the main game with all three story DLCs and four bonus packs. The available official information does not establish a platform-by-platform graphics or performance advantage, so the clearest reasons to choose it are the bundled content and the specific version available on your platform.
What is the difference between the two editions?
The original Mafia II launched in 2010. Mafia II: Definitive Edition is the remastered edition of that same game. 2K calls it “the lovingly remastered version of the 2010 fan favorite with greatly improved visuals and audio.” (2K Support’s Mafia: Trilogy FAQ)
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| 1 |
![Mafia II: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518uE4aLi4L._SL160_.jpg)
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Mafia II: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code] | $6.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Mafia Definitive Edition - PlayStation 4 | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mafia Trilogy (PS4) | $33.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Mafia III: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MS1FNE9yL._SL160_.jpg)
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Mafia III: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code] | $6.00 | Buy on Amazon |
It is not the same kind of project as Mafia: Definitive Edition, which 2K describes as a ground-up remake of the first Mafia. 2K called Mafia II: Definitive Edition an “ultra HD remaster” in its 2020 trilogy announcement.
What changed in the presentation?
2K says the remaster has improved visuals and audio, and describes the main game as a full 4K remaster with “completely remastered 4K compatible visuals.” That wording is a publisher description, not a guarantee that every platform renders or outputs native 4K.
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- Golden-era Drama: Inspired by iconic mafia dramas, be immersed in the allure and impossible escape of life as a wise guy in the Mafia.
- Empire Bay, NY: Post-World War 2 Empire Bay, NY, a city sprawling with opportunity and where organized crime thrives on the booming industries of post-war America.
- The Complete & Remastered Favorite: For the first-time ever experience the Mafia II crime drama all in one package and presented in stunning HD detail.
- Own Mafia II: Definitive Edition to unlock Vito’s Leather Jacket and Car in both Mafia and Mafia III Definitive Editions.
The official pages do not provide a detailed side-by-side change log for textures, lighting, resolution, or frame rate by platform. They also do not establish which edition runs more smoothly or has fewer bugs. Treat the visual and audio improvements as 2K’s broad description, rather than a precise technical comparison.
What does Definitive Edition add?
The Definitive Edition bundles the main game with three story DLCs and four bonus content packs:
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- Please note that this item is not currently eligible for Release Date Delivery, so pre-orders may not arrive on the day of release.
- Play a mob movie: Live the life of a prohibition-era gangster and Rise through the ranks of the Mafia.
- Lost heaven, il: Recreated 1930's cityscape, filled with interwar architecture, cars and culture to see, hear and interact with.
- Re-made classic: Faithfully recreated, with expanded story, gameplay and original score. This is the Mafia you remember and much more.
- Own Mafia: Definitive Edition to unlock tommy's suit and cab in both Mafia II and Mafia III Definitive editions.
- Betrayal of Jimmy
- Jimmy’s Vendetta
- Joe’s Adventures
- Greaser Pack
- Renegade Pack
- Vegas Pack
- War Hero Pack
According to 2K’s FAQ, content from the bonus packs unlocks by completing chapters in the main story.
Which version should you play or buy?
Choose Definitive Edition if you want the bundled content
It is the straightforward choice if you want the main game plus all three story DLCs and the four bonus packs in one edition. The official materials describe presentation improvements, but do not provide enough platform-specific detail to choose it solely on the expectation of a particular resolution or frame rate.
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- Mafia: Trilogy, includes main games and all DLC releases
- Three Eras of Organized Crime in America
- Mafia: Definitive Edition - 1930's, Lost Heaven, IL
- Mafia II: Definitive Edition - 1940's - 50's, Empire Bay, NY
- Mafia III: Definitive Edition - 1968, New Bordeaux, LA.Pre-Purchase bonus: The Chicago outfit: exclusive vehicle, weapon and outfit
Check your existing Steam PC library first
2K’s FAQ says existing owners of Mafia II on Steam PC received the Definitive Edition at no additional cost, while the original remained in their library as Mafia II (Classic). The FAQ also says Classic save games can transfer to Definitive Edition on Steam PC only. For other partner platforms covered by the FAQ, Definitive Edition was a separate listing requiring purchase. These are the FAQ’s stated ownership terms; check the current storefront for the terms that apply to your account.
Check PC requirements before buying
2K Support’s requirements article, published May 19, 2020 and updated September 3, 2025, lists these specifications for the Definitive Edition. They are not a comparison with the original game’s requirements.
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- NEW BORDEAUX, LA: A vast world ruled by the mob and detailed with the sights and sounds of the era.
- A LETHAL ANTI-HERO: Be Lincoln Clay, orphan and Vietnam veteran hell bent on revenge for the deaths of his surrogate family.
- REVENGE YOUR WAY: Choose your own play-style; brute force, blazing guns or stalk-and-kill tactics, to tear down the Mafia.
- A NEW FAMILY ON THE ASHES OF THE OLD: Build a new criminal empire your way by deciding which lieutenants you reward, and which you betray.
- Own Mafia III: Definitive Edition to unlock Lincoln’s Army Jacket and Car in both Mafia and Mafia II Definitive Editions.
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 8.1 64-bit | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel i5-2500K or AMD FX-8120 | Intel i7-3770 or AMD FX 8350 4.0 GHz |
| Memory | 6 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics card | Radeon HD7870 or GeForce GTX 660 | Radeon R9 290X or GeForce GTX 780 |
| Video memory | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Free storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
These are the specifications published by 2K Support. Check your machine and operating system against them before purchasing.
Physical availability depends on region
2K says the physical Mafia: Trilogy edition, which includes Mafia II: Definitive Edition, was released in select EMEA and Asia territories. The FAQ said there were no plans for an Americas physical edition when it was written. That regional information does not establish current stock or availability in every market; the 2K Store listing reviewed is digital, not a physical-game listing.
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The cited official pages do not give a technical, platform-by-platform comparison of the original and remaster, or verify comparative bug rates and performance. If you are deciding between versions based on a specific console’s image quality, frame rate, or stability, these sources do not establish which one is better on that platform.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
