The Borderlands 4 release date is finally upon us, and I’m stoked — here’s exactly when you can play at launch time and enjoy “the return of the looter-shooter king”

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It’s been quite a while since we last got our hands on a primary Borderlands game (even though Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, released in 2022, was fantastic), with the most recent one, Borderlands 3, hitting stores in 2019. However, that drought is about to end with the upcoming release of the next installment in the series from Gearbox Software – Borderlands 4.

In Borderlands 4, you can choose from four fresh Vault Hunter characters to control. The story unfolds on the planet Kairos, where your mission is to overthrow the oppressive ruler, the Timekeeper. Expect an abundance of weapons, dangerous foes, and thrilling cooperative gameplay. As it releases this year, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular and enjoyable new games of the season.

Due to the widespread popularity of the looter-shooter franchise across first-person shooter, cooperative, and role-playing game communities, there’s a great deal of anticipation for the upcoming title. Consequently, many devoted fans are eagerly inquiring about when they can begin playing it on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5.

With great anticipation, Gearbox and its publisher 2K have disclosed the precise release dates and launch times for Borderlands 4. In other words, Borderlands 4 is set to debut on September 11, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time/12 p.m. Eastern Time on PC platforms, and on console systems at 9 p.m. Pacific Time/midnight on September 12.

Feedback on the game has generally been quite favorable. My coworker, Michael Hoglund, went ahead and labeled it as the peak of any Borderlands adventure.

The table and chart provided give a comprehensive overview of when Borderlands 4 will be released worldwide across different time zones. Notably, players in Europe or regions west of it can start playing on PC on September 11. However, access to the game for all platforms becomes available starting from September 12.

Furthermore, should your time zone not be listed, feel free to utilize a converter such as this one to determine the exact launch time for the game in your specific location.

Time zone Launch time (PC) Launch time (console)
PT Sept. 11, 9 a.m. Sept. 11, 9 p.m.
ET Sept. 11, 12 p.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
BRT Sept. 11, 1 p.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
BST Sept. 11, 5 p.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
CEST Sept. 11, 6 p.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
SGT Sept. 12, 12 a.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
JST Sept. 12, 1 a.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
AEST Sept. 12, 2 a.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.
NZST Sept. 12, 4 a.m. Sept. 12, 12 a.m.

In a mere few days, Borderlands 4 will make its grand debut, marking one of the most highly-anticipated game releases of 2025. Known as the pioneer of the looter shooter genre, Borderlands didn’t invent this blend of first-person shooter mechanics and loot systems reminiscent of games like Diablo, but it was indeed the first to seamlessly combine these elements in a way that has shaped and defined the genre we enjoy today.

The early reviews of the game have been extremely favorable, with my coworker Michael Hoglund going as far as describing it as “the peak of any Borderlands gaming experience” after getting a chance to play it during recent testing. He further emphasized that Borderlands 4 appears to be the comeback of the looter-shooter genre’s ruler.

Keeping track of the game’s performance is essential, considering the high-end specifications needed for running Borderlands 4 smoothly on a PC.

Certainly, an initial play might not reveal the full depth that Borderlands 4 has to offer in the long run. However, to ease any concerns, Gearbox has shared extensive details about the game’s endgame content. For instance, the Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode will make a comeback, offering tougher enemies and exclusive enemy types for more challenging yet rewarding experiences.

Additionally, you’ll find contracts that motivate you to journey extensively across Kairos, taking on weekly tasks. A novel feature called Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine is introduced, allowing you to battle vanquished bosses and collect resources from them without restarting your game saves. Towards the end of 2025, the developers are planning to introduce “Invincible” bosses; these formidable opponents will boast enormous health reserves and deadly attacks, serving as the ultimate challenge for experienced players striving for the top.

Overall, it appears that Borderlands 4 will be an exciting new addition to the series that I can’t wait to explore. Following the controversial response to Borderlands 3, it seems like a potential return to the series’ roots. However, whether it can successfully land with its humor and writing is yet to be determined; the previous game struggled to maintain the delicate balance between endearing and awkward for the franchise. I truly hope that this time around, they manage to pull it off, as I have always found the Borderlands series to be hilarious when executed well.

It’s worth noting that the game’s performance could be crucial, especially considering the high system demands for Borderlands 4 on PC. If you’re considering playing it on your computer but your system only just scrapes by the minimum requirements, it might be wise to hold off until after the launch when extensive tests have been conducted, to ensure a smooth gaming experience.

Should you choose to preorder Borderlands 4 or buy it at launch, you can purchase it for $69.99 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as PS5. It’s worth mentioning that the Steam version is currently available for $10 less, offering a price of $60.69 at Loaded (previously known as CDKeys).

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2025-09-09 00:11