March 24, 2015ShooterESRB MMetacritic 82
The Verdict
Best if you want dozens of hours of loot-driven shooting with friends, where every gun feels different and cooperative builds create satisfying synergies—provided you can tolerate juvenile humor and repetitive mission structure.
Software architect and father of two based in the Netherlands. Been gaming since MS-DOS Mario. Writes honest recommendations for people with limited evenings and too many games left to play.
The Handsome Collection delivers two complete looter-shooters where the core loop—shoot enemies, grab loot, compare stats, equip upgrades, repeat—creates a rhythm that either clicks immediately or feels tedious within the first hour. What sets Borderlands apart is the procedural weapon generation: you'll constantly evaluate firearms with different elemental effects, fire rates, and quirky special traits, making each loot drop feel like opening a small present. This variety keeps the gunplay fresh even when missions often boil down to "go here, shoot that, collect this." The RPG systems offer genuine depth through skill trees that fundamentally change how each character plays. Choosing between turret builds, stealth sniping, or melee-focused berserker styles means replaying with different vault hunters feels substantially different, not just cosmetically. Co-op amplifies this: coordinating complementary builds—one player drawing aggro while another focuses on critical damage—transforms chaotic firefights into strategic takedowns. Expect 20-30 minute mission chunks that fit well into evening sessions, though the leveling curve encourages longer binges. The difficulty scales with your level and gear quality, creating a satisfying challenge when you're appropriately geared but punishing walls when you're undergeared or underlevel. Side missions offer alternative leveling paths if you hit these walls, though the writing quality varies wildly—some genuinely funny, others painfully trying too hard. The learning curve is gentle for shooter fundamentals but steeper for understanding elemental matchups, skill synergies, and gear optimization. Casual players can absolutely enjoy the base experience, but extracting maximum value requires learning which weapons counter which enemy shields, how to spec for your playstyle, and when to farm specific bosses for gear upgrades. Replayability comes from multiple vault hunters, higher difficulty modes with better loot, and the sheer volume of content across both games—easily 100+ hours if you engage with everything. However, the humor's aggressive irreverence and constant pop-culture references create a specific tonal experience that some find exhausting. If the opening hours' comedic style grates on you, it doesn't let up.
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How Borderlands: The Handsome Collection supports playing with other people, broken down per platform.
| Platform | Local | Online | LAN | Split-screen | Co-op campaign | Drop-in/out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | No | Yes, up to 4 players | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| PlayStation 4 | Yes, up to 4 players | Yes, up to 4 players | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Xbox One | Yes, up to 4 players | Yes, up to 4 players | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
CrossplayNo Crossplay
Team sizes · Co-op teams up to 4
Includes Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Supports 4-player co-op online and (on supported consoles) up to 4-player split-screen local. PC version supports online co-op and LAN; split-screen is not supported on PC. Drop-in/drop-out co-op supported. Online play on PlayStation typically requires PlayStation Plus; on Xbox typically requires Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold). No cross-platform play for this collection.
How rating boards around the world have classified Borderlands: The Handsome Collection. Open a board for its content descriptors.
Strong violence, online interactivity
Which version to buy, and what differs between platforms.
This collection includes both Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel with all previously released DLC, representing the most complete package available. The Pre-Sequel explores events chronologically before Borderlands 2 but was released later, so either game works as a starting point.
On Switch, expect noticeable frame rate drops and resolution compromises compared to other platforms. Split-screen exacerbates these issues with very small text that strains readability on handheld or smaller displays. PlayStation and Xbox versions deliver significantly smoother performance.
Subtitles are available but quite small in split-screen mode, potentially difficult for players with vision concerns. No colorblind modes for the elemental damage system, which relies heavily on color coding. Control remapping is limited. Twin-stick shooter mechanics require precise aiming.
Titles we've handpicked for readers who liked Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, grouped by what they share with it — a similar vibe, more challenge, or the same multiplayer setup.
Cooperative multiplayer games that emphasize teamwork and shared objectives, building on the social aspects of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection.
Mission-based co-op where roles truly matter—mining, objectives, and swarms create constant team moments, with clear pings and friendly pacing for groups.
Tight shooting plus loot progression, designed around strikes and raids. Great for a fireteam that wants shared goals, drops to chase, and weekly rituals.
Co-op third-person shooting with meaningful builds and boss fights. Procedural zones keep runs fresh, and teamwork makes tough encounters far smoother.
A co-op loot snowball where items stack into wild synergies. Runs are fast, chaotic, and hilarious with friends as difficulty ramps the longer you stay in.
Loot explosions and build-driven power growth, but in an ARPG format. Easy to drop in with friends, smash rifts, and chase set bonuses together.
Expansive alternatives to Borderlands: The Handsome Collection featuring larger worlds, deeper progression systems, and extended campaigns for players seeking more content.
More of the looter-shooter loop with bigger worlds, deeper builds, and flashier guns/skills—ideal if you want the same formula scaled up for long co-op runs.
A loot-driven shooter built for endgame: shared-world zones, raids, seasonal grinds, and buildcraft that keeps a squad chasing gear for dozens of hours.
A massive co-op loot chase with constant progression: frames, mods, weapons, and missions stack into a long-term hobby game with endless build tinkering.
Cheerful, upbeat games that offer a lighter tone than Borderlands: The Handsome Collection while maintaining similar gameplay mechanics.
If you want co-op laughs without the grind, this is pure arcade energy: simple combos, big personalities, and breezy sessions that suit any group night.
Same couch-co-op chaos, totally different genre: frantic teamwork, silly disasters, and short levels that turn coordination (and yelling) into the main game.
Head-to-head competitive games for players who enjoy the competitive elements found in Borderlands: The Handsome Collection.
Squad-based PvP with strong class-style abilities and crisp gunplay. The team synergies and constant loot upgrades scratch the co-op shooter itch in PvP.
For a competitive switch-up: quick matches, clear mechanics, and endless mastery. Great with a buddy in doubles, with the same 'one more game' pull.
This game appears in 1 article on this site.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection stands out as one of the few Switch split-screen games offering deep progression and loot-driven campaigns. Two players can develop distinct character builds, coordinate skill trees, and grind for legendary weapons together across massive storylines. Performance and tiny text on Switch can strain the experience, but dedicated co-op duos seeking long-term systems will find depth few other local games match.
Common questions about this game, answered by our team.
Difficulty scales with your level and gear quality. Properly geared, most content is manageable; undergeared or underlevel, you'll hit punishing walls. Co-op makes it easier through revive mechanics and complementary builds. No traditional difficulty settings.
Each game's main campaign runs 20-30 hours. With DLC, side missions, and multiple vault hunters, expect 100+ hours for completionists. Sessions naturally break into 20-30 minute mission chunks.
Absolutely playable solo, though co-op enhances the experience significantly. Some boss fights and late-game content are balanced assuming multiple players, making them tougher but not impossible alone.
Yes. Expect constant pop-culture references, meme humor, and irreverent jokes throughout. If the first few hours' comedic style annoys you, it maintains that tone for 50+ hours. Some players love it; others find it exhausting.
Not strictly. The Pre-Sequel chronologically precedes Borderlands 2 but was designed assuming you've played BL2. Starting with either works, though BL2 is generally considered the stronger game mechanically.
Game data and imagery provided by IGDB.com
