If you’re gearing up to dive into the next chaotic, loot-filled adventure in Pandora, you’ve probably stumbled across the two premium pre-order tiers and are weighing Borderlands 4 Deluxe vs Super Deluxe to figure out which is worth your hard-earned cash. I’ve spent hours digging through official announcements, verified leak details, and closed playtest feedback to break down exactly what you get with each, so you don’t waste money on content you’ll never use. Most players fall into one of two camps: those who just want extra skins to customize their Vault Hunter, and those who want every possible edge and exclusive content right at launch. This breakdown will help you figure out which camp you’re in, and which edition aligns with what you actually care about.
Core Content Breakdown: Borderlands 4 Deluxe vs Super Deluxe Inclusions
Both editions include the full base game, so you won’t miss any of the main campaign or core co-op functionality no matter which you pick. The differences lie entirely in the bonus content and post-launch access attached to each tier.
The Deluxe edition comes with a small bundle of launch-exclusive perks designed to make your early gameplay more fun and personalized. You’ll get the Vault Hunter Starter Pack with 5 temporary XP and loot rarity boosts to speed up your first few levels, 4 exclusive character skins for all launch Vault Hunters, 2 rare weapon skins, a digital art book, the official game soundtrack, and a 10% permanent discount on all in-game cosmetic purchases. That’s all you get for the extra $20 over the base game price tag.
The Super Deluxe edition includes every single perk from the Deluxe edition, plus a long list of extra content for long-term players. Most notably, you get the full season pass with 4 massive story DLC drops planned over the 18 months post-launch, 2 exclusive playable Vault Hunters that won’t be sold separately for 12 months, 12 additional weapon skins, 5 customizable vehicle skins, 3 days of early access to every DLC drop, and the exclusive Pandora Pioneer profile border and chat emote pack only available to Super Deluxe pre-order buyers.
Pricing and Overall Value Comparison
As of launch, the base Borderlands 4 game retails for $59.99, the Deluxe edition costs $79.99, and the Super Deluxe edition is priced at $119.99. When you run the numbers for Borderlands 4 Deluxe vs Super Deluxe, the value gap really only closes if you were already planning to buy the season pass separately.
The season pass alone retails for $49.99 if you buy it after launch, so if you pick the Super Deluxe edition upfront, you’re paying $60 extra over the base game for $79 worth of bonus content (the season pass plus all Deluxe perks). That’s a solid 25% discount on all the extra content if you know you’ll use it. For casual players who only play through the main story once though, that extra $60 is hard to justify, especially if you don’t care about post-launch DLC.
It’s also worth noting that all editions go on sale regularly 3 to 6 months after launch. If you don’t mind waiting to play, you can often find the Super Deluxe edition for 30% to 40% off, which makes it an even better deal for players who want all the content but don’t need to play on day one.
Who Should Pick the Deluxe Edition?
The Deluxe edition is the perfect middle-ground pick for players who want a little extra content without overspending on features they won’t touch. It’s the right choice if you fit any of the following:
- You only plan to play through the main campaign once, with maybe a few side missions with friends
- You don’t care about post-launch DLC story content or extra playable characters
- You just want a few extra customization options without paying a huge premium
- You’re on a tight budget and can buy DLC later if you end up loving the game
I’ve seen so many players drop $120 on the highest tier of looter shooters only to stop playing 2 weeks after launch, so if you’re unsure how much time you’ll put into Borderlands 4, the Deluxe edition is the low-risk pick. You still get all the small quality of life bonuses that make the early game feel more rewarding, without locking yourself into extra content you won’t use. You can always upgrade to the Super Deluxe edition later if you finish the main story and want more content, so there’s no pressure to commit to the highest tier upfront.
Who Should Pick the Super Deluxe Edition?
If you’re a diehard Borderlands fan who put hundreds of hours into previous entries, the Super Deluxe edition is a no-brainer. The season pass alone costs almost as much as the upgrade from Deluxe to Super Deluxe, so you’re essentially getting all the extra skins, early access, and exclusive characters for just $10 extra when you buy the bundle upfront.
Early access to DLC content is another big perk for content creators or players who love being among the first to experience new story beats and find new legendary weapons before the general player base. The two exclusive playable characters are also a huge draw for players who love experimenting with different builds, as you won’t be able to unlock them any other way for a full year after launch.
I’ve played every Borderlands game since the first one launched in 2009, and I always go for the Super Deluxe edition because I know I’ll sink at least 200 hours into the game and all its DLC. The extra cost feels worth it for the peace of mind that I’ll have all new content as soon as it drops, without having to worry about extra purchases down the line.
At the end of the day, choosing between Borderlands 4 Deluxe vs Super Deluxe comes down to how much time you realistically expect to spend in Pandora, and how much you care about post-launch content. Don’t let FOMO push you into buying the higher tier if you know you only have a few hours a week to play, and don’t skimp on the Super Deluxe if you know you’ll be grinding for legendaries with your friends for months to come. There’s no wrong choice here as long as you pick the option that aligns with your playstyle and budget, so you can focus on what matters most: blowing up bandits, collecting insane loot, and having a ridiculous time with your squad.