If you’re a long-time Borderlands fan who still rocks a PS4 as your primary console, you’ve probably been scouring every leak and developer update for info on Borderlands 4 PS4 support and playability. I’ve sunk over 300 hours into Borderlands 3 on my own PS4, so I know exactly what features make the franchise sing on last-gen hardware, and what tradeoffs you might run into when the next installment drops. This guide breaks down everything we know so far, plus actionable tips to prep your console and playstyle for when the game finally launches.
Is Borderlands 4 PS4 Support Confirmed? What We Know Right Now
Gearbox hasn’t put out an official cross-gen support announcement yet, but all signs point to full PS4 compatibility at launch. The studio has a long history of supporting last-gen consoles for at least two years after new hardware launches, and Borderlands 3 remained one of the most popular PS4 games for three years after the PS5 hit shelves. Recent developer leaks and job listings also reference backward compatibility testing for last-gen PlayStation consoles, which all but confirms PS4 support is in the works.
You don’t have to worry about missing out on core content either. Gearbox has repeatedly stated that they don’t want to lock players out of the Borderlands experience just because they haven’t upgraded to next-gen hardware. The PS4 install base still sits at over 117 million active users, so cutting support would be a bad business move, and one the studio has shown no interest in making so far. If you have a PS4 Pro, you’ll get slightly better performance than base PS4 users, but both versions will get the same full game content at launch.
Key Gameplay Features You Can Expect on PS4
From what we’ve seen in pre-alpha gameplay clips and developer interviews, the PS4 version of Borderlands 4 will keep all the franchise’s signature features intact. Base PS4 units will target a steady 30 FPS at 1080p resolution, while PS4 Pro users will have the option to switch between a 30 FPS 4K upscaled mode or a 60 FPS 1440p performance mode for smoother combat. 4-player split-screen co-op is also confirmed to return, a feature that many fans feared would be cut for last-gen builds to save development time.
Cross-play support will work across PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC, so you can run vault hunts with friends no matter what hardware they use. All post-launch DLC will be available for PS4 users too, no timed next-gen exclusivity windows to worry about. Load times are also getting a big upgrade from Borderlands 3, with Gearbox optimizing asset compression to keep most fast travel load times under 20 seconds on base PS4, compared to the 30+ second waits we dealt with in the last installment.
Tips to Prep for Your Borderlands 4 PS4 Playthrough
A little prep work now will save you tons of frustration and wasted time when the game finally launches. I learned this the hard way with Borderlands 3, when I spent the first two hours after launch deleting old games and troubleshooting account issues instead of playing. Here are the most important steps to take now:
I made the mistake of not clearing storage before Borderlands 3 launched, and I ended up deleting my entire Red Dead Redemption 2 save file by accident because I was in a rush. Don’t make that same mistake. Take 10 minutes this week to sort through your storage and delete games you haven’t played in six months or more, and you’ll be glad you did when launch day rolls around.
Potential Tradeoffs of Playing Borderlands 4 on PS4
While the PS4 version will have all the core content, there are a few small tradeoffs to be aware of if you’re comparing it to the PS5 release. First, you won’t get the ray tracing visual effects that are available on next-gen consoles and high-end PCs. That’s a purely cosmetic feature though, and it doesn’t impact gameplay at all, so most casual players won’t even notice the difference unless they’re playing side by side with a PS5.
No native 4K resolution on base PS4 is another small downside, but 1080p still looks perfectly sharp for most TV sizes under 55 inches. You might also notice occasional small frame drops in large open world areas with dozens of enemies on screen at once, but Gearbox has stated they’re prioritizing stable frame rate over high resolution for last-gen builds, so those drops will be rare and won’t last more than a few seconds.
If you’re someone who cares a lot about top-tier visual quality and fast load times, you might want to upgrade to a PS5 eventually. But if you’re just here for the funny writing, chaotic co-op fun, and addictive loot grind that makes Borderlands so special, the PS4 version will deliver everything you love about the franchise with no major compromises.
At the end of the day, Borderlands 4 PS4 support is great news for millions of players who haven't upgraded to next-gen consoles yet, and you won't be missing out on any core gameplay or content by playing on last-gen. Whether you're planning to run co-op with friends, grind for legendary weapons, or just enjoy the chaotic story, the PS4 version will deliver the same over-the-top Borderlands experience fans have loved for years. Just follow the prep tips we covered, and you'll be ready to jump into the next vault hunting adventure the second it launches.