If you’ve spent hours grinding for legendary guns, laughing at Claptrap’s terrible jokes, and blasting bandits across Pandora, you’re probably already hyped for the next entry in Gearbox’s iconic looter shooter franchise. For most fans, locking in their copy as soon as possible is non-negotiable, and that’s where digging into Borderlands 4 GameStop options makes perfect sense. GameStop has long offered some of the best exclusive pre-order perks for major AAA releases, and the Borderlands series is no exception to that trend. I’ve pre-ordered every mainline Borderlands game at GameStop since Borderlands 2, so I’ve picked up plenty of tips to make sure you get the most value for your money, no matter which edition you pick.
Borderlands 4 GameStop Pre-Order Perks You Won’t Get Anywhere Else
First off, let’s cut to the part everyone cares about: the free bonuses you get for pre-ordering through GameStop instead of other retailers. From past Borderlands releases, we know GameStop almost always locks in exclusive physical and digital perks that never make it to Steam, Epic, or other big box stores. For example, when I pre-ordered Borderlands 3 at GameStop, I got an exclusive Psycho bandit figurine, a double-sided Pandora map poster, and a unique weapon skin that wasn’t available anywhere else for 6 months post-launch. Most of these pre-order perks are only available for customers who reserve their copy before the official release date, so you don’t want to wait until the last minute if you want the good stuff.
We’ve also heard unconfirmed rumors from reliable industry leakers that GameStop will offer tiered perks depending on which edition of the game you buy. Standard edition pre-orders will likely get a bonus in-game weapon pack and a custom Vault Hunter skin, while deluxe and collector’s edition pre-orders will get physical merch like exclusive vinyl figures, art books, and even limited-edition console skins for PlayStation and Xbox users. It’s worth noting that GameStop’s pre-order bonuses are usually split between in-store only and online only, so you’ll want to check your local store’s listing to make sure you qualify for the perk you want. If you prefer physical copies of games, you’ll almost always get better physical perks by pre-ordering in-store instead of online.
- Exclusive "Vault Hunter Elite" weapon skin pack, compatible with all 4 starting playable characters
- Limited-edition Claptrap enamel pin for in-store pre-orders of all game editions
- 72-hour early access to the game’s first post-launch raid for all pre-order customers
- 10% off any Borderlands branded merchandise purchased at GameStop on release day
How to Choose the Right Borderlands 4 Edition for Your Budget
I’ve made the mistake of splurging on a collector’s edition before for a game I ended up playing for 10 hours, and I’ve also regretted buying the standard edition when I wanted all the extra campaign content later. So let’s break down what each edition will likely offer, so you don’t waste money on stuff you don’t want. The standard edition is the cheapest option, and it’s perfect if you only care about the base game and don’t care about extra skins, side content, or physical merch. It usually costs $69.99 for current gen consoles and PC, and you still get the base pre-order perks we listed earlier.
If you plan on playing Borderlands 4 for hundreds of hours with friends, the deluxe edition is almost always the best value for money. The deluxe edition usually costs $99.99, and it includes the base game, the first year of season pass content (which usually includes 4 new playable characters, 3 major campaign expansions, and dozens of exclusive weapon packs), and extra digital skins and cosmetics. For long-time Borderlands fans who love collecting physical merch, the collector’s edition will likely cost between $149.99 and $199.99, and it includes all the content from the deluxe edition plus high-quality physical items like replica Vault Hunter relics, art books, vinyl soundtracks, and limited-edition figurines.
But remember, collector’s editions sell out extremely fast, especially at GameStop, so if you want one, you should reserve it as soon as pre-orders go live. I missed out on the Borderlands 3 collector’s edition because I waited 3 days after pre-orders opened, and I still regret it. GameStop usually lets you put down a $5 or $10 deposit to reserve your copy, so you don’t have to pay the full price upfront if you don’t want to.
In-Store vs Online Pre-Orders: Which Is Better for You?
A lot of fans don’t realize that GameStop offers different perks and experiences depending on whether you pre-order online or in person, so it’s worth weighing your options before you commit. In-store pre-orders are great if you want to get your copy as soon as possible, because most GameStop locations host midnight release events for big franchise releases like Borderlands. I went to the Borderlands 3 midnight release at my local GameStop, and we got free snacks, entered raffles for extra merch, and got to pick up our copy 2 hours before online orders even started shipping. In-store pre-orders also usually get exclusive physical perks like enamel pins, posters, and stickers that aren’t available for online orders.
The downside of in-store pre-orders is that you have to go to the store to pick up your copy, which can be a hassle if you don’t live close to a GameStop location, or if you don’t want to deal with crowds on release day. Online pre-orders are much more convenient for most people, because your copy will be shipped right to your door, and you usually get free standard shipping if you’re a PowerUp Rewards member. If you’re a PowerUp Rewards Pro member, you’ll also get 2x points on your pre-order, which you can redeem for free games, merch, or store credit later.
The only downside of online pre-orders is that you might not get your copy on release day if there are shipping delays, so if you want to play as soon as the game comes out, in-store pre-order is the safer bet. It’s also worth noting that you can cancel your pre-order at any time for a full refund, no questions asked, so you don’t have to worry about losing your deposit if you change your mind before release day.
What to Do While You Wait for Your Pre-Order to Arrive
Pre-orders for big games usually open months before the official release date, so you’ll probably have a lot of time to kill before you get to jump into the new Pandora. If you’re looking to get hyped and prepare for the new entry, there are a few easy things you can do to make your release day experience even better. First, if you haven’t played the previous Borderlands games in a while, it’s worth going back and replaying Borderlands 3 or the Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands spin-off to refresh your memory on the story and get used to the gameplay loop again. You can also look up early gameplay previews from trusted gaming outlets to get a sense of what the new Vault Hunters can do, which will help you pick your main character as soon as you boot up the game for the first time.
If you plan on playing co-op with friends, make sure you coordinate which edition you’re all buying, so you don’t run into issues with season pass content later on. You can also clear out space on your console or PC hard drive ahead of time, because modern AAA games usually take up 70 to 100 GB of storage, and you don’t want to spend the first hour of release day waiting for old games to delete so you can install the new one. If you’re a PowerUp Rewards member, you can also check your account regularly for extra offers related to Borderlands 4, like discounts on accessories, controllers, or extra content that drops closer to release day.
At the end of the day, pre-ordering your copy through Borderlands 4 GameStop options is one of the best ways to get the most value for your money, whether you’re a casual fan who just wants to play the base game, or a long-time collector who wants all the exclusive merch. Just remember to check the specific perks for your local store, put down a deposit early if you want a collector’s edition, and pick the pre-order method that fits your schedule best. I’ve been using GameStop for Borderlands pre-orders for over a decade, and I’ve never been disappointed with the exclusive perks and reliable service they offer for franchise releases. No matter how you choose to buy your copy, the next entry in the Borderlands franchise is shaping up to be the biggest and best one yet, so get ready to grind for legendary guns and laugh your way across Pandora again soon.