The Secret’s Out: Gearbox Reveals Hidden Treasures Ahead of Release
Borderlands 4, the next chapter in the iconic looter-shooter franchise, has already sparked waves of hype ahead of its September 12, 2025 launch on Xbox Series X|S. But in a surprising twist, Gearbox president Randy Pitchford has revealed something no one saw coming: over 200 hidden collectible bobbleheads scattered across the new planet, Kyros — and now, their locations have been leaked.
This move comes as a shock because these items were intended to remain secret, tucked into the deepest corners of the game world. “Most players were never supposed to find them all,” Pitchford admitted. “Only the most dedicated explorers will uncover the entire set.”
A Playground for Completionists
Fans of open-world scavenger hunts will find a new home in Kyros. Like the Korok seeds in Zelda: BOTW, each of these Marcus bobbleheads has its own unique story and is hidden in spots designed to test a player’s movement and navigation skills.
Players will need to master new mechanics like double jumps, grapples, dashes, and gliding to reach the most obscure locations. According to Pitchford, the development team themselves had to test and fine-tune these traversal tools while hunting for the most “insane” hiding places — and that’s exactly where they planted the bobbleheads.
Why the Leak, and Why Now?
So why spoil the fun before the game is even out? Pitchford framed it as a way to reward the community early and show appreciation for die-hard fans. The shared map — reminiscent of post-launch maps from other titles like Blasphemous — is an unusual but calculated move. Most games keep collectible secrets under wraps until long after release. Gearbox, however, seems eager to spark early excitement and exploration theories.
The Lore Behind the Bobbleheads
These collectibles aren’t just random trinkets. According to game lore, a container of Marcus bobbleheads was ejected from Elpis, a satellite from the previous games, during a catastrophic event. The container crashed onto Kyros, scattering its contents across varied zones like Crater, RIP Tunnels, Order’s Hell, and the Beach — all of which were visible in the leaked map.
What About the Rewards?
Will there be an achievement for collecting them all? That part remains unclear. Pitchford hasn’t confirmed whether a full set unlocks a trophy or in-game bonus. But considering the effort required, it seems likely that Gearbox would add some form of recognition for completionists.
Conclusion: Borderlands 4 Doubles Down on Exploration
With its expansive interconnected world, fresh traversal mechanics, and now a treasure trove of collectibles, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be a dream come true for curious players and hardcore fans alike. While some gamers prefer surprises, Gearbox’s decision to reveal these hidden items early offers a new layer of hype and strategy ahead of release.
Whether you plan to uncover every last Marcus bobblehead or simply enjoy the ride, Borderlands 4 promises depth, discovery, and plenty of reasons to explore every inch of Kyros.
