The Loot is Flowing: Borderlands 4’s Record-Breaking Debut
Well, the numbers are in, and they’re bigger than a Badass Goliath. According to the latest data from market research firm Circana, Gearbox’s Borderlands 4 has absolutely crushed its September 2025 launch. The looter-shooter didn’t just sell well-it generated the highest launch month dollar sales of any title in the franchise’s history. This makes it a massive commercial victory for publisher 2K Games right out of the gate.
Not only did it top the charts, but it was also the first game in the series to debut as the number-one-selling game of its release month in the US. The game’s revenue was reportedly nearly 30% higher than the previous record-holder, Borderlands 3. However, this triumphant story of financial success is running parallel to a very different narrative playing out in player reviews and online forums.
A Mountain of Cash, But a Mountain of Complaints
The success of Borderlands 4 is undeniable. It was September’s best-selling premium game, launching straight to the #3 spot for the best-selling games of 2025 so far. It dominated on both Xbox and PC sales charts. But if you’ve been following the game’s launch, this news might be a bit surprising. Since its release, the game has been plagued by significant performance issues, particularly on PC. This has led to a ‘Mixed’ user review score on Steam, with thousands of players voicing their frustration over poor optimization, stuttering, and crashes, even on high-end hardware.
So, how can a game with such a troubled technical launch be such a massive seller? A few factors are at play. First, Circana’s data tracks dollar sales, not units sold. Borderlands 4 launched with a higher price point than its predecessor ($69.99 for the standard edition compared to $59.99 for BL3). It also had several pricier deluxe editions available. Furthermore, unlike Borderlands 3, which was a timed exclusive on the Epic Games Store, Borderlands 4 launched on Steam from day one, opening it up to a much wider PC audience at launch.
Controversy Can’t Stop the Claptrap
The launch wasn’t just rocky from a technical standpoint. Leading up to the release, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford stirred controversy with comments suggesting “real fans” would find a way to pay a rumored $80 price tag. After launch, he drew more criticism for his dismissive responses to players complaining about the performance issues. Many in the gaming community were shocked to see the game’s record-breaking sales figures in light of the negative sentiment.
This situation highlights a fascinating disconnect. The power of the Borderlands brand, combined with massive pre-release hype, was enough to drive historic sales, seemingly overpowering the negative press from technical problems and executive-level drama. It proves that for a huge portion of the audience, the promise of more over-the-top, loot-splosion action was too good to pass up.
What’s Next for the Borderlands?
While the accountants at 2K are surely celebrating, the team at Gearbox knows they still have work to do. The studio has been releasing patches to address the performance problems, but the community is eagerly awaiting a major “Day 30 Update” that is expected to bring more substantial fixes. The long-term success of Borderlands 4 will depend on whether Gearbox can right the ship and deliver the smooth, polished experience players were expecting.
The game is a financial titan, but its legacy will be defined by how the developers respond to the very valid criticisms from the community that rushed out to support it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How well did Borderlands 4 sell at launch?
According to Circana, Borderlands 4 had the most successful launch in the franchise’s history in terms of dollar sales, making nearly 30% more than Borderlands 3 in its launch month.
Was Borderlands 4 the best-selling game of September 2025?
Yes, it was the #1 best-selling premium video game in the U.S. for September 2025.
Why does the game have ‘Mixed’ reviews on Steam?
Despite strong sales, the game launched with significant technical and performance issues, especially on PC, leading to widespread player frustration and negative reviews.
Did Borderlands 4 sell more copies than Borderlands 3?
The data is based on revenue (dollar sales), not units sold. Because Borderlands 4 had a higher launch price and various special editions, it’s unclear if it sold more individual copies than its predecessor.
What were the other top-selling games in the US?
As of September 2025, the best-selling game of the year is NBA 2K26, followed by Monster Hunter: Wilds, with Borderlands 4 debuting at number three for the year-to-date.
Are the developers fixing the performance issues?
Yes, Gearbox has released several patches since launch and has a larger “Day 30 Update” planned to further address the game’s performance problems.
Conclusion
The launch of Borderlands 4 is a perfect storm of modern gaming. It’s a story of massive financial success fueled by brand loyalty and hype, clashing with the reality of a product that wasn’t quite ready for prime time. While the sales numbers are a clear win for 2K and Gearbox, they also serve as a powerful reminder that in the long run, player trust is the most valuable loot of all. Now, all eyes are on Gearbox to see if they can patch up the experience and make Borderlands 4 the game that its incredible sales figures suggest it should be.