Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box

Genre: Compilation / First-Person Shooter / Graphic Adventure / Visual Novel

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local, Local Wireless, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)

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Review:

Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box, released on Nintendo Switch in 2024, is a Compilation containing six games in the Borderlands series – every game in the franchise that has made the trip to Nintendo Switch (which is all of them save for the spin-off Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands), plus all DLC.

I have separately reviewed these games (with Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel both being released on Nintendo Switch in Borderlands: The Handsome Collection), and all others released individually, with some included in other Borderlands bundles. Here is what I thought of all of the games in this collection:

Game	Genre	# of Players	Score
Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition	First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A-
tl;dr Borderlands is a First-Person Shooter that combines the genre with gameplay progression comparable to something like Diablo, and the result is one of the best co-op experiences you will ever find, both locally and online. While the Nintendo Switch version has some compromises made to its visuals and its split-screen co-op drops down from 4 players to 2, this game still plays great, and it’s an absolute must-have for fans of First-Person Shooters and especially for fans of co-op.
Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition	First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A+
tl;dr Borderlands 2 takes everything that was great about the first game and makes it even better – the visuals are more detailed, with environments that have a lot more personality, the level design is much more interesting, the enemy variety is greater, the variety of weapons is greater, and even the explosive personality is bigger thanks to the compelling new villain, Handsome Jack. What’s more, this game holds onto the original game’s absolutely superb co-op gameplay and extremely compelling loot-fueled gameplay loop, and the Nintendo Switch release loses very little in the way of visual quality, and actually has a smooth online experience too. If you want a great First-Person Shooter on the Nintendo Switch, you want this game. If you want a great co-op experience on the Nintendo Switch, you want this game. If you want a great pick up and play experience where you can raid a dungeon and grab some loot while waiting for the bus, you want this game. Only the lack of the Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary expansion holds this game back from perfection.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Ultimate Edition	First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local, Online), 2-4 Co-Op (Online)	A-
tl;dr Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel uses the Borderlands 2 engine but manages to be quite different in terms of its gameplay, with new elements such as areas with low gravity and limited oxygen, though it’s debatable whether this is an improvement. This game also gives a completely different and unique perspective into Borderland 2’s villain, as well as events that transpired between the first and second games. Overall, this is a solid entry in the Borderlands series, albeit one that’s not quite as good as Borderlands 2.
Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition	First-Person Shooter	1-2 Co-Op (Local Wireless, Online)	B-
tl;dr Borderlands 3 on Nintendo Switch finally sees the fourth (yes, fourth) mainline entry in the “looter shooter” First-Person Shooter franchise make it to Nintendo’s handheld, but the game itself is something of a disappointment, and the Nintendo Switch version is heavily compromised, with the multiplayer drastically cut back, the visuals having numerous issues including some nasty framerate drops, and even occasional game crashes. This is still at its core an enjoyable game, but nowhere near as good as the Borderlands Legendary Collection.
Tales From the Borderlands	Graphic Adventure / Visual Novel	1	B+
tl;dr Tales From the Borderlands is a game that combines Graphic Adventure and Visual Novel elements that tells a tale set after the events of Borderlands 2. The characters, story, voice acting, and presentation here are all outstanding, and the only real issue is the use of tired “quick time events” that frustrate more than they add to the game. However, even with this annoyance, Tales From the Borderland is still an outstanding well-told interactive story that’s highly recommended for fans of sci-fi, and an absolute must for fans of the Borderlands franchise.
New Tales From the Borderlands	Graphic Adventure / Visual Novel	1	C+
tl;dr New Tales From the Borderlands is a game that combines Graphic Adventure and Visual Novel elements that tells a tale set after the events of Borderlands 3. This is a solid sci-fi adventure set in the world of the franchise, but there are a lot more issues this time around, with a slower-paced and less-cohesive plot, less-interesting characters, and some other frustrations. Where the first Tales of the Borderlands game was strong enough that even non-Borderlands fans could enjoy it, this feels like a game that’s really only for the most diehard fans of the series.

In short, this collection gives players two types of games – four First-Person Shooters, and two Graphic Adventures. The First-Person Shooters are renowned for their excellent co-op gameplay, semi-open world, and Diablo-style loot system, with Borderlands 2 pretty much universally agreed to be the pinnacle of the series, and Borderlands 3 generally seen as the low point, with the Nintendo Switch version being even worse due to some nasty cuts made to the game. The Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel “Tales” games, on the other hand, follow in the tradition of other Telltale games like The Walking Dead, with a strong focus on story and having players make narrative choices, with the first game being very good, and the second one being… less so.

However, make no mistake: even the worst games in this batch are still pretty good, and the best games here are absolute must-play games. In particular, the original Borderlands trilogy (that is to say, the three Borderlands games before Borderlands 3) are all among the finest co-op experiences to be had on the Nintendo Switch, which is saying quite a lot given how many great co-op games are on the platform.

Needless to say, this is a package with a lot of great games, so naturally the next question is “what about the price?”

Well, there’s good news and bad news there. At $150, this is a pretty big ask for anyone looking to get into the Borderlands series. Yes, it chops off nearly a quarter of the $195 price of getting all of these games separately, but it’s still quite a large price tag. On the other hand, this bundle launched on Nintendo Switch with a sale price under $40, and if it continues to see sales like this that is an absolute steal.

In the end, if you own a Nintendo Switch, haven’t gotten a Borderlands game, and enjoy First-Person Shooters and Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel-style games, you should absolutely get this bundle… if it’s on sale. $150 is an okay price for six great games, including 1 absolute must-play game and 3 more that are truly excellent, but $40 is such a great deal that you shouldn’t pass it up.

tl;dr – Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box is a Compilation containing all six Borderlands games released on the Nintendo Switch thus far, including four First-Person Shooters and two Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel games. All of these games are good, and a few are absolute must-haves. The $150 price tag is steep, but still a good savings… however, when this bundle goes on sale, it is an absolute steal that is definitely worth getting.

Grade: A

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