Borderlands on Game Pass: A Looter-Shooter Dream? (Not Quite!)
If you're thinking of diving into the world of Borderlands with the help of Game Pass, you might want to reconsider. Unfortunately, while you can find some serious discounts for Borderlands games, they aren't readily available through Xbox Game Pass, or PlayStation Plus, and getting into the Borderlands series isn't as easy as grabbing a subscription. Sure, the series has become one of the biggest names in looter shooters and continues to rack up awards. However, you can't hop in on the fun for the low monthly price.
So why isn't Borderlands a part of Game Pass, and are there other options? Here's the rundown.
Game Pass Troubles
In the past, a few of the original Borderlands games were on Game Pass. Remember the good old days? No one else does because the original Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel were booted off the service back in March of 2020. They haven't returned since. Plus, while Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, and Tales from the Borderlands had a few dalliances with other Xbox services, they've never made it onto Game Pass, either. This might lead some to assume the same thing is happening with Borderlands 3. You know what they say, 'once bitten twice shy' and based on that, it probably isn't going to join the party anytime soon. Although it is still possible a short term deal could come to light in the lead-up to the launch of the new game. With Borderlands 4 seemingly a while away, it's a safer bet that the franchise will remain absent from the service.
If you were hoping for some good news there, let's see if we can shift gears and bring in a little positivity about the game.
PS Plus: Hopeful But Hopeless
Alright, Playstation Plus gamers, don't get your hopes up too high either! Borderlands 3 made its PS Plus debut last July, and unfortunately, its stay was brief. That means if you were hoping for the series to stay in the PS Plus rotation, you're out of luck. And before you get all excited about some big plan by Sony to put the entire franchise on the service, it's time to temper expectations. Like with Game Pass, there haven't been any promises or signs pointing towards the series joining the PS Plus lineup permanently, but that could always change in the future.
And lastly, in case you're considering some of those smaller cloud-based services like GeForce Now, keep in mind they haven't had Borderlands pop up on their list, either.
Where's a Loot-Seeking Vault Hunter to Go?
So, you're thinking - "So much for those deals! How can I grab Borderlands?". Fortunately, these games aren't some hidden treasures. While you might be sad to know you can't just pop in a code and enjoy the game, keep in mind these games tend to be heavily discounted on various storefronts. If you want the entire experience, it may be worthwhile keeping an eye out for the occasional mega deals or seasonal sales so you can save a lot of cash. There may not be a magic button on PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass for these looter shooters, but there are always more ways than one to hunt those loot-filled drops!
