What is Borderlands 2?

Borderlands 2 is a first-person shooter with deep action RPG elements, known as a 'looter-shooter'. The core gameplay is about completing quests and defeating enemies to find a near-infinite variety of procedurally generated guns.

Is Borderlands 2 a multiplayer game?

Yes, the entire game can be played solo or with up to three other players in drop-in/drop-out online co-op. The game's difficulty and loot quality scale with the number of players.

Who is Handsome Jack?

Handsome Jack is the main antagonist of Borderlands 2 and is widely considered one of the most charismatic, funny, and well-written villains in video game history.

What is the best version to play?

The best way to experience the game today is through 'The Handsome Collection' (available on PC, PS4, Xbox One) or the 'Legendary Collection' (on Nintendo Switch), as these bundles include the base game and almost all of its extensive DLC content.

Borderlands 2

Action RPG, First-Person Shooter, Looter-Shooter, Co-op

(13 Ratings)

$19.99

Borderlands 2 is the epic sequel to the acclaimed four-player, co-op, looter-shooter RPG. Set five years after the events of the original game, players take on the role of one of four new Vault Hunters on the planet Pandora. Their mission is to stop the tyrannical Handsome Jack, the brilliant, egotistical, and ruthless CEO of the Hyperion corporation, from awakening an ancient alien evil known as 'the Warrior'. Featuring a massively expanded world, a memorable and hilarious cast of characters, and a nearly infinite arsenal of procedurally generated guns, Borderlands 2 perfected the formula that defined the genre. With its signature cel-shaded art style, deep character progression, and non-stop action, the game is a bombastic adventure of revenge and redemption.

Details

Developer:
Gearbox Software

Publisher:
2K Games

Released:
Sep 18, 2012

Updated:
Aug 9, 2025

Themes

Sci-FiLooter-ShooterAction RPGDark HumorCo-op

Borderlands 2

(13 Ratings)$19.99Action RPG, First-Person Shooter, Looter-Shooter, Co-op

Dev: Gearbox Software Pub: 2K Games Rel: Sep 18, '12 Upd: Aug 9, '25

🖥️

Build a PC for Borderlands 2

Get expert PC build recommendations at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions — with exact CPU, GPU, and RAM specs for smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.

View PC Build Guide →

✅ Free expert recommendations 📊 3 build tiers 💻 Laptop alternatives included

Themes

Sci-FiLooter-ShooterAction RPGDark HumorCo-opSpace WesternProcedural Generation

Check Deal

Buy on Epic Games

🖥️

Build a PC for Borderlands 2

Get expert PC build recommendations at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions — with exact CPU, GPU, and RAM specs for smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.

View PC Build Guide →

✅ Free expert recommendations 📊 3 build tiers 💻 Laptop alternatives included

Borderlands 2 Key Specifications

Key Specifications for Borderlands 2
Specification	Detail
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
Genre	Action RPG, Looter-Shooter
Initial Release	2012-09-18
Developer	Gearbox Software
Publisher	2K Games
Setting	Planet Pandora
Perspective	First-Person
Platforms	PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Multiplayer	4-Player Online Co-op
Unique Feature	A genre-defining looter-shooter experience with a massive, procedurally generated arsenal of guns and a highly-acclaimed story driven by one of gaming's most memorable villains.

Note: OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Borderlands 2. This information is based on the official PC specifications from developer Gearbox Software, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As an older title, the requirements are very low by modern standards. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated for context and to show how modern hardware would perform.

Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance. Given the game's age, almost any modern gaming laptop will run Borderlands 2 at maximum settings and high framerates without any issues.

GPU TGP: Not a critical factor for this title, as even low-power modern GPUs will be more than sufficient.

Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems, but good thermals are always beneficial for system health.

CPU Power Limits: The game is not CPU-intensive by modern standards, and any recent mobile CPU will handle it easily.

MUX Switch Optimus: While not essential for this title, a MUX switch can help reduce system latency, which is a general benefit for gaming.

Optimization Note: Borderlands 2 does not have official integrated support for modern upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR. Performance is based on native resolution rendering. The game does feature NVIDIA PhysX for advanced particle effects, which can be demanding on the CPU or GPU. Performance is most affected by settings like View Distance, PhysX Effects, and Ambient Occlusion. Disabling or lowering PhysX is the most effective way to improve framerates on non-NVIDIA or older hardware.

Borderlands 2 System Requirements

1080p

Minimum (Targets 1080p, Low settings, ~30-60 FPS) – Low Preset, 1080p resolution. This tier aims for a basic playable framerate.

CPU: 2.4 GHz Dual Core Processor (Official minimum desktop CPU requirement. This is a very low-end requirement by modern standards.)

Laptop CPU: Intel Core i3-7100U / AMD Ryzen 3 2200U or better. (Any modern entry-level laptop CPU will easily meet this requirement.)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT or ATI Radeon HD 2600 (Official minimum desktop GPUs. These cards are extremely old, making the game highly accessible.)

Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX250, RTX 3050 Laptop (4GB), RTX 4050 Laptop (6GB). (Future-proof: RTX 5050 Laptop) (Any modern entry-level laptop GPU, including integrated graphics on recent CPUs, will easily meet this requirement.)

RAM: 2 GB (2GB RAM is the official minimum requirement.)

Storage: 20 GB HDD (An HDD is sufficient for the minimum spec.)

Recommended (Targets 1080p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1080p resolution, aiming for a consistent 60 FPS or higher.

CPU: 2.3 GHz Quad Core Processor (Official recommended desktop CPU for a solid 60 FPS experience.)

Laptop CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U / AMD Ryzen 5 2500U or better. (A modest mobile CPU is more than enough to maintain a stable framerate.)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 (1GB) or ATI Radeon HD 5850 (1GB) (Official recommended desktop GPUs for a high-quality 1080p experience.)

Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile (2GB), RTX 3050 Laptop (4GB), RTX 4050 Laptop (6GB). (Future-proof: RTX 5050 Laptop) (Entry-level gaming laptop GPUs will comfortably run the game at max settings and high framerates.)

RAM: 2 GB (2GB RAM is the official recommended amount, though 8GB is advised for modern operating systems.)

Storage: 20 GB HDD (An HDD is sufficient for this tier, but an SSD is recommended for faster loading.)

1440p

High (Targets 1440p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1440p resolution, aiming for a high and stable framerate.

CPU: Intel Core i3-10100 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100 (A modern entry-level CPU is more than enough to prevent bottlenecks at 1440p.)

Laptop CPU: Intel Core i5-10300H / AMD Ryzen 5 4600H or newer. (Any modern gaming laptop CPU will handle 1440p with ease.)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580 (8GB). (Future-proof: RTX 3050) (Desktop GPUs capable of a strong 1440p/60FPS experience. A modern card like the RTX 3050 would be overkill.)

Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Mobile (6GB), RTX 3050 Ti Laptop (4GB), RTX 4050 Laptop (6GB). (Future-proof: RTX 5050 Laptop) (An entry-level RTX laptop GPU is excellent for 1440p. A future RTX 5050 Laptop would offer an extremely smooth experience.)

RAM: 8 GB (16GB Recommended) (8GB RAM is sufficient, but 16GB is recommended for smooth 1440p gaming with modern operating systems.)

Storage: 20 GB SSD (An SSD is recommended for the best loading times at 1440p.)

2160p

4K Ultra Settings (Targets 2160p/4K, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 2160p (4K) resolution, aiming for 60 FPS or higher.

CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (A solid mid-range CPU is recommended to support 4K gaming and minimize any potential stutters.)

Laptop CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H / AMD Ryzen 7 4800H or newer. (Mid-range laptop CPUs are more than sufficient to pair with capable GPUs for a smooth 4K experience.)

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8GB). (Future-proof: RTX 4060 / RTX 5060) (Mid-range GPUs are recommended for a stable 4K/60FPS experience. A future RTX 5060 would likely handle this with ease.)

Laptop GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB), RTX 4060 Laptop (8GB), RTX 4070 Laptop (8GB). (Future-proof: RTX 5060 Ti Laptop) (Mid-range and high-end laptop GPUs are recommended for a playable 4K experience. A future RTX 5060 Ti Laptop would be a prime target for high-refresh-rate 4K mobile gaming.)

RAM: 16 GB (16GB RAM is sufficient for 4K in this title.)

Storage: 20 GB NVMe SSD (A fast NVMe SSD is highly recommended for the best 4K gaming experience.)

Borderlands 2 Laptop Recommendations

MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen

Borderlands 2

Quick Navigation:

Borderlands 2

Quick Navigation:

Build a PC for Borderlands 2

Themes

Build a PC for Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 Key Specifications

Borderlands 2 System Requirements

1080p

Minimum (Targets 1080p, Low settings, ~30-60 FPS) – Low Preset, 1080p resolution. This tier aims for a basic playable framerate.

Recommended (Targets 1080p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1080p resolution, aiming for a consistent 60 FPS or higher.

1440p

High (Targets 1440p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1440p resolution, aiming for a high and stable framerate.

2160p

4K Ultra Settings (Targets 2160p/4K, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 2160p (4K) resolution, aiming for 60 FPS or higher.

Borderlands 2 Laptop Recommendations

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2

Build a PC for Borderlands 2

Similar Games

Themes

Where to Buy Borderlands 2

Build a PC for Borderlands 2

You Might Also Like

Borderlands 2 Gameplay Video

Borderlands 2 Key Specifications

Borderlands 2 System Requirements

1080p

tune Minimum (Targets 1080p, Low settings, ~30-60 FPS) – Low Preset, 1080p resolution. This tier aims for a basic playable framerate.

tune Recommended (Targets 1080p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1080p resolution, aiming for a consistent 60 FPS or higher.

1440p

tune High (Targets 1440p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1440p resolution, aiming for a high and stable framerate.

2160p

tune 4K Ultra Settings (Targets 2160p/4K, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 2160p (4K) resolution, aiming for 60 FPS or higher.

Borderlands 2 Laptop Recommendations

Minimum (Targets 1080p, Low settings, ~30-60 FPS) – Low Preset, 1080p resolution. This tier aims for a basic playable framerate.

Recommended (Targets 1080p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1080p resolution, aiming for a consistent 60 FPS or higher.

High (Targets 1440p, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 1440p resolution, aiming for a high and stable framerate.

4K Ultra Settings (Targets 2160p/4K, High settings, ~60+ FPS) – High Preset, 2160p (4K) resolution, aiming for 60 FPS or higher.