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For most players, the best version of Borderlands 1 is Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, the 2019 package that bundles the 2009 base game with all four add-on packs. On PC, choose the GOTY Enhanced remastered build by default. Switch to the original Game of the Year build only if your system falls below Enhanced’s listed requirements or you specifically need the older release. On Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch, the Game of the Year Edition is the version the platform listings point to.
What the Game of the Year Edition adds
2K’s April 3, 2019 announcement called it “the brand new definitive version of the award-winning 2009 first-person shooter/role-playing game, loaded with additional content and enhancements.” The content split into two parts: the four add-on packs and the presentation and convenience upgrades.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Borderlands: Game of The Year Edition - Xbox One | $17.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition - Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zPagSPnuL._SL160_.jpg)
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Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition - Switch [Digital Code] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Borderlands Game of the Year -Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $11.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Borderlands Goty | $12.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Borderlands: Game of The Year Edition - PlayStation 4 | $13.51 | Buy on Amazon |
- Add-on packs: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution, all included in the bundle according to 2K’s announcement and the Xbox product listing.
- Visual and weapon updates: 2K describes visual upgrades and new weapons in its 2019 announcement. Xbox’s listing adds improved models, environments, weapons and textures.
- Quality-of-life changes: 2K cites convenience improvements, and the Xbox listing adds gold chests and keys.
The add-ons are the main reason to prefer this edition over the 2009 release. The visual changes are a secondary benefit, and they are the part most likely to differ between platforms.
PC: GOTY Enhanced or the original Game of the Year
On PC, the choice is between two builds. Borderlands Support treats the original Game of the Year and GOTY Enhanced as separate releases and labels Enhanced as the remastered version, as described in its PC system requirements article.
#1 Best Overall
- Bazillions of guns: rocket-launching shotguns, enemy-torching revolvers, smgs that Fire Lightning rounds, and tons more.
- Radical art style: traditional rendering combined with hand-drawn textures give Borderlands its iconic style.
- Intense vehicular combat: behind the wheel, engage in frenetic vehicle-to-vehicle combat.
- Co-op frenzy: online or together on the couch, tear through enemies as a Crew of up to 4.
- With improved character models, weapons, textures, and more, Borderlands shines on a 4K display.
GOTY Enhanced: the remastered build
Enhanced is the right pick for most PC players. It carries the remastered presentation and the same bundled content, and it is the version to buy if you are starting fresh on a current Windows install. Its listed requirements are higher, so confirm your hardware before purchase.
Original Game of the Year: the older build
The original build is the fallback for older machines, older operating systems, or players who want the release as it first shipped. Its requirements are lower on memory and storage, and it accepts older Windows versions.
Rank #2
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| Official minimum (per Borderlands Support) | Original Game of the Year | GOTY Enhanced |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | XP/Vista or greater | Windows 7 64-bit or greater |
| RAM | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 8 GB | 25 GB |
These are minimums, not performance measurements. The sources cited here do not compare frame rates, stability or load behavior between the two PC builds, so a lower requirement list does not by itself mean the original runs better. Choose the original only when the lower requirements or older operating-system support solve a real compatibility problem.
Console and Switch
Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Xbox currently lists the Game of the Year Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Its listing includes the four add-ons, 4K Ultra HD and HDR capabilities, and co-op for solo play or up to four players, with local split-screen and online modes.
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- Includes all four add-on packs released to date (on disc), as well as fold-out gameworld map
- Intense combination of FPS and RPG gameplay with Borderlands' random gun generator provides endless weapon variety
- Tear through the relentless monsters of Pandora with a crew of up to 3 of your friends in multiple modes including split-screen co-op
- Get behind the wheel of and engage in intense vehicle-to-vehicle combat
- Online multiplayer support for up to 4 players
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo’s UK listing offers both a download version and a game-card version, with a release date of May 29, 2020. The download is listed at 13.7 GB. Two to four players can play locally or online. Choose the game card if you want a physical copy and the download if you want to avoid a disc swap or have the storage.
PlayStation
The 2019 announcement named PS4 alongside Windows PC and Xbox One. The sources cited here do not confirm a current PlayStation storefront listing for this edition, so check the PlayStation Store for availability in your region before buying.
Rank #4
- Includes all four add-on packs released to date (on disc), as well as fold-out gameworld map
- Intense combination of FPS and RPG gameplay with Borderlands' random gun generator provides endless weapon variety
- Tear through the relentless monsters of Pandora with a crew of up to 3 of your friends in multiple modes including split-screen co-op
- Get behind the wheel of and engage in intense vehicle-to-vehicle combat
- Online multiplayer support for up to 4 players
Co-op and save transfers
- Co-op on Xbox: solo play or up to four players, with local split-screen and online modes, per the Xbox listing.
- Co-op on Switch: two to four players, local or online, per the Nintendo UK listing. Confirm any network or subscription requirement in the Nintendo eShop before purchase.
- Save transfers: 2K said players could import Vault Hunters when moving saves within the same console family, giving Xbox 360 to Xbox One as an example. That statement does not establish every cross-generation or cross-family transfer path, so consult platform-specific support before relying on a transfer.
Which version to choose
- PC, wanting the remastered build: GOTY Enhanced, if your system meets its 4 GB RAM and 25 GB storage minimums on Windows 7 64-bit or later.
- PC with older hardware or an older Windows: the original Game of the Year, which lists 1 GB RAM, 8 GB storage and Windows XP/Vista or greater.
- Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S: the Game of the Year Edition on Xbox, with all four add-ons and 4K/HDR support.
- Nintendo Switch: the Game of the Year Edition, either as a game card or a download.
- PlayStation 4: the Game of the Year Edition if a current PlayStation Store listing is available in your region.
Across all platforms, the add-on content is the deciding factor. Every version that includes the four add-on packs is a stronger choice than the base game alone, and the platform and hardware checks above determine which version of that bundle to buy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bazillions of guns: rocket-launching shotguns, enemy-torching revolvers, smgs that Fire Lightning rounds, and tons more.
- Radical art style: traditional rendering combined with hand-drawn textures give Borderlands its iconic style.
- Intense vehicular combat: behind the wheel, engage in frenetic vehicle-to-vehicle combat.
- Co-op frenzy: online or together on the couch, tear through enemies as a Crew of up to 4.
- With improved character models, weapons, textures, and more, Borderlands shines on a 4K display.
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.
