BioShock: The Collection
Compilation of remastered BioShock games with upgraded visuals.
BioShock: The Collection bundles the three main entries in the first-person shooter series—*BioShock*, *BioShock 2*, and *BioShock Infinite*—along with their single-player expansions, such as *Minerva’s Den* and *Burial at Sea*. The multiplayer mode from *BioShock 2* is absent, but the pack includes challenge modes from all three games. Blind Squirrel Games, who had previously worked with Irrational Games on *Infinite*, handled the remastering for publisher 2K. The first two titles received higher-resolution textures and new visual effects, while *Infinite* on Windows is the same as the original release, not a remaster. On Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the remastered games run at 1080p and 60 frames per second. A director’s commentary, *Imagining BioShock*, featuring creative director Ken Levine and other developers, is unlocked by finding new collectibles in the remastered *BioShock*.
Rumors of a remastered collection circulated for years before the official announcement in June 2016, following several leaks from retailers and trademarks. The compilation launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in North America on September 13, 2016, and worldwide two days later; the Windows version arrived on September 15, with free upgrades for owners of the original PC editions. A macOS port from Feral Interactive came out in August 2017, and a Nintendo Switch version followed in May 2020. A limited edition in some regions included an art book, reversible poster, and coin. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 retail release spans two discs. After launch, Windows players reported that the remastered versions retained bugs and removed some graphics options unless configuration files were tweaked. 2K acknowledged the issues and released a patch in early October 2016 that added back graphics settings, fixed crashes, and improved monitor support and mouse controls. In 2020, enhancement patches boosted resolution on PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X: the first two games reached 1440p on PS4 Pro and 2160p on Xbox One X, while *Infinite* hit 1440p on both. The Switch version runs at 1080p at 30 frames per second when docked and 720p in portable mode.
Quick Facts
- Title
- BioShock: The Collection
- Developer
- Blind Squirrel GamesBioShock was developed by 2K Boston and 2K Australia, BioShock 2 by 2K Marin, and BioShock Infinite by Irrational Games.
- Publisher
- 2K
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Windows / macOS / Nintendo Switch
- Series
- BioShock
- Genre
- First-person shooter
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
BioShock: The Collection contains all three titles in the BioShock series: BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite. The games are first-person shooters focusing on story and character customization, with players wielding guns and genetic modifications called Plasmids or Vigors. Included are single-player content originally released as exclusives or downloadable content, such as BioShock 2: Minerva's Den and BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea, but the multiplayer component of BioShock 2 is not included. The collection also features challenge game modes from all three releases.
Reader's Guide
BioShock: The Collection received generally favorable reviews, with critics recommending it for players unfamiliar with the franchise. Praise focused on the value of the collection and its appeal for new players, while complaints included the relative lack of updates to later games and technical performance issues. The remastered BioShock and BioShock 2 run at 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with later patches boosting resolution on Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro. The Windows edition of BioShock Infinite was not remastered, as it already met graphical standards. The collection was a bestselling title in the United States and United Kingdom in its initial months of release, and updates were released to address bugs and crashes.
Did You Know?
- The collection includes a director's commentary called Imagining BioShock, featuring creative director Ken Levine and lead artist Shawn Robertson.
- A limited run of 450 'Ultra Limited Edition' copies was produced, including an art book, reversible poster, and coin.
- The Nintendo Switch version runs at 1080p at 30 frames per second when docked, dropping to 720p in portable mode.
- The remastered Windows versions of BioShock and BioShock 2 were given as free upgrades to owners of the original PC editions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BioShock: The Collection?
It is a 2016 remastered compilation that bundles the three core BioShock titles—BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite—along with their single-player DLC such as Minerva's Den and Burial at Sea. Blind Squirrel Games performed the remaster work, and 2K published the pack for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.
Which games and extras are included in BioShock: The Collection?
The pack ships with the full single-player campaigns of all three main entries plus expansions like Minerva's Den and Burial at Sea, and it also carries challenge modes from each game. The BioShock 2 multiplayer mode, however, was not carried over into the collection.
Who remastered BioShock: The Collection?
Blind Squirrel Games, the studio that had previously collaborated with Irrational Games on BioShock Infinite, handled the remastering work. The finished product was published by 2K in 2016.
What visual upgrades did BioShock: The Collection receive?
BioShock and BioShock 2 were given higher-resolution textures and additional visual effects as part of the remaster. BioShock Infinite on Windows, by contrast, remains essentially the same build as the original 2013 release.
Why do fans still recommend BioShock: The Collection as an entry point?
It is the most convenient single purchase for experiencing the entire trilogy plus all major single-player expansions in one package. The upgraded presentation on the first two titles and the included challenge modes make it an accessible, complete way to dive into the series.
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