The base Red Dead Redemption 2 already includes the full single-player campaign (Story Mode) and Red Dead Online. Ultimate Edition does not add a separate game or a different campaign. It adds the Special Edition content and a further set of Ultimate bonuses: story and gameplay extras, a horse, outfits, rank bonuses, and weapons. Whether that is worth the price difference depends on which platform you are buying for, whether you share your library, and how much you care about the bonus items.
What both editions include
Rockstar Games’ edition comparison on its PC store listing shows that both versions contain two core modes:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Brand New Factory Sealed | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 (XBox One) | $25.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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X1 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 | $26.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 4 | $24.39 | Buy on Amazon |
- Story Mode, the single-player campaign following Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang.
- Red Dead Online, the multiplayer and online world.
If you only want to play the campaign and the online mode, the base edition covers both.
What Ultimate Edition adds
Ultimate Edition bundles the Special Edition content with a further set of Ultimate bonuses. Rockstar’s listing groups the extras into story-related bonuses that come with the Special Edition and bonuses specific to the Ultimate bundle.
#1 Best Overall
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun;Engage in conversation with people you meet. Your actions influence Arthur's honour;Horses are a cowboy's best friend, both transport and personal companion;Bond with your horse as you ride together to unlock new abilities
| Content | Red Dead Redemption 2 (base) | Ultimate Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Story Mode | Included | Included |
| Red Dead Online | Included | Included |
| Special Edition content | Not listed as included in the base edition | Included |
| Special Edition story and gameplay bonuses | Not listed as included in the base edition | Bank Robbery Mission and Del Lobos Gang Hideout; Dappled Black Thoroughbred; talisman and trinket gameplay bonuses; gameplay boosts, cash bonuses, and discounts; Nuevo Paraiso Gunslinger Outfit |
| Additional Ultimate Edition bonuses | Not listed as included in the base edition | Bonus outfits, rank bonuses, Black Chestnut Thoroughbred, and additional weapons |
Story and gameplay bonuses
The Special Edition story content is tied to progression through Story Mode rather than being a separate mode. The Bank Robbery Mission and the Del Lobos gang hideout are unlocked as you progress. If you miss the in-game alert for the Bank Robbery Mission, you can replay it from the Pause Menu under the Story option. The Dappled Black Thoroughbred, the talisman and trinket bonuses, and the cash, discount, and gameplay boosts are also part of this group.
Online bonuses
The Ultimate-only online items are the most visible differences for multiplayer players: bonus outfits, rank bonuses, the Black Chestnut Thoroughbred, and additional weapons. These are tied to your Red Dead Online progress and profile rather than to the single-player campaign. Rockstar’s listing does not say that any of this content changes the underlying story.
Rank #2
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created. 4K Ultra HD not available on Xbox One or Xbox One S consoles
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun
Shared accounts and game sharing
This is the point most likely to surprise buyers. Rockstar Games Support states:
“Story Mode content is accessible when using game sharing, however online bonus content associated with Ultimate Edition or Pre-Order is restricted to the primary account.”
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- Get exclusive access to a bank robbery mission
- A collection of exclusive story mode boosts, bonuses and discounts
- Get three weapons Free at gunsmiths
In practice, if you buy Ultimate Edition and someone else shares your console or account library, they can access the Story Mode content but not the online bonus items tied to your purchase. Buyers who plan to share a library with a family member should expect the Ultimate online bonuses to stay with the primary account.
Why PS4 may show Special Edition
On PlayStation 4, an Ultimate Edition installation may appear as Special Edition in the game’s display. Rockstar Support explains that the bonuses are associated with your player profile and become available when Red Dead Online launches. This is a platform-specific answer, so if the label does not match your purchase, check your purchase receipt and profile before assuming the wrong version was installed.
Rank #4
- When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.
- Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed adventure.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the ground-breaking horror story expansion that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
- Experience the epic western adventures that defined a generation
Which edition fits your situation
- Choose the base edition if you want the campaign and Red Dead Online and do not care about the horse, outfits, weapons, or rank bonuses.
- Choose Ultimate Edition if you want the Special Edition story bonuses and the online extras and you play on your own primary account.
- Be cautious with Ultimate Edition if you share a console or library, because the online bonuses stay with the primary account.
- Check the platform first. Rockstar’s comparison material shown here is for the PC store listing. Edition labels and availability can differ on PlayStation and other platforms, so confirm the listing for the platform you are buying on.
Checking current price and availability
Prices change and differ by platform and region. Before buying, open the Rockstar Games store listing for your platform and compare the edition contents shown there with the table above. Do not rely on a price from an old article, including this one. If you buy through a retailer, make sure the listing names the exact edition and platform you want, and check whether it is a physical or digital copy.
Quick Recap
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.
