Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Borderlands: The Handsome Collection (Xbox One) Review
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection bundles Borderlands 2 (2012) and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014) with every DLC pack released up to 2015, then polishes the package for current-gen hardware. On Xbox One it targets 1080p/60 fps in solo play (30 fps in 4-player split-screen), delivers noticeably sharper textures, and slashes load timesmaking it the definitive console way to experience Gearboxs loot-shooter duology.
Content & Value
| Included | Highlights |
|---|
| Borderlands 2 + 10 story DLCs | Tiny Tinas Assault on Dragon Keep, Captain Scarlett, Mr. Torgue, Sir Hammerlock, two extra Vault Hunters, level-cap increases |
| Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel + 6 DLCs | Claptastic Voyage story, Holodome, two extra Vault Hunters, level-cap boosts |
| All skin/weapon packs & headhunters | Hundreds of cosmetic items |
Thats well over 120 hours of campaign content before even touching endgame raids, OP levels, or True/Ultimate Vault Hunter modes.
Graphics & Performance
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Resolution bump to native 1080p gives Pandora and Elpis fresher comic-book crispness.
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Higherres textures and improved anisotropic filtering make cell-shaded edges pop.
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Stable 60 fps in single-player; occasional dips in split-screen chaos but still smoother than the 360 versions.
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Four-player couch co-op now uses a 2×2 grid instead of the cramped horizontal split, vastly improving visibility.
Minor drawbacks: volumetric smoke and ragdoll physics can still tank frames temporarily, and texture pop-in on fast travel hasnt been eradicated.
Gameplay Upgrades
Core gunplay, skill trees, and loot fountains remain intact:
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Millions of procedurally generated guns, grenade mods, and shields ensure near-constant dopamine hits.
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Skill respec kiosks let you experiment freely with over a dozen playable Vault Hunters across both games.
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Cross-save lets you import characters from Xbox 360 (cloud or USB), carrying over levels and gear.
Quality-of-life touches: inventory now sorts by rarity/type, the mini-map from Borderlands 2 is back-ported into The Pre-Sequel, and aiming feels tighter thanks to higher frame rates.
Online & Split-Screen Co-op
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Drop-in/drop-out online remains seamless; SHiFT matchmaking is quicker on Xbox Ones SSD.
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Couch co-op up to four players is the star attraction. Text is legible at last, but menus can still become cluttered with four inventories at once.
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Cross-play is not supported outside the Xbox ecosystem; youre limited to Xbox One / Series consoles.
Audio
The cel-shaded chaos is matched by:
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Punchy weapon effects and satisfying elemental pops.
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Memorable voice work (Handsome Jacks sardonic taunts still steal the show).
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Licensed tracks such as The Heavys Short Change Hero retain their punch, now in higher bitrate.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Two massive campaigns plus every DLCphenomenal value
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1080p/60 fps single-player, improved split-screen layout
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Cross-save from last gen, tighter gunplay, quality-of-life tweaks
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Endless loot and class build depth keep the grind fresh
Cons
Frame dips in four-player mayhem and during heavy particle effects
HUD still overwhelms in split-screen
No native 4K assets or new content beyond DLC bundle
Final Verdict
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection doesnt rewrite the looter-shooter rulebookit perfects it for consoles. If you missed the golden age of Pandora (or simply want to relive it at double the frame rate), this package is a no-brainer. Even veterans will appreciate the buttery performance, cleaner visuals, and all-inclusive DLC buffet.
Score: 9/10 A treasure trove of guns, gags, and gleeful co-op carnage, now handsomer than ever.
