:BioShock: The Collection

{{Infobox video game

| title = BioShock: The Collection

| image = BioShock- The Collection.jpg

| developer = Blind Squirrel Games{{efn|BioShock 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

| released = {{Collapsible list

| title = {{nobold|September 13, 2016}}

| PlayStation 4, Xbox One

| {{Video game release|NA|September 13, 2016|WW|September 15, 2016}}

| Windows

| {{Video game release|WW|September 16, 2016}}

| macOS

| {{Video game release|WW|August 22, 2017}}

| Nintendo Switch

| {{Video game release|WW|May 29, 2020}}

}}

| genre = First-person shooter

| modes = Single-player

}}

BioShock: The Collection is a 2016 video game compilation developed by Blind Squirrel Games and published by 2K. The Collection features upgraded versions of BioShock, BioShock 2 and BioShock Infinite, with new textures and support for higher resolution displays and framerates. The compilation was released in September 2016 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows; versions for macOS and Nintendo Switch followed in August 2017 and May 2020, respectively.

A remaster of the BioShock series was widely rumored for years before its official announcement. After its release, the game was updated to address bugs and crashes. Critical reception of The Collection was generally positive, with praise focusing on the value of the collection and its appeal for new players of the franchise. Complaints included the relative lack of updates to later games in the collection, and technical performance. The game was a bestselling title in the United States and United Kingdom in its initial months of release.

BioShock: The Collection contains all three titles in the BioShock series: BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite. The games are first-person shooters, with a focus on story and character customization.{{cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=August 22, 2007|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bioshock-review/1900-6177215/|title=BioShock Review|website=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures|access-date=December 23, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Sterling|first=Jim|date=February 8, 2010|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-bioshock-2-162864.phtml|title=Review: BioShock 2|website=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918182814/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-bioshock-2-162864.phtml|url-status=dead}} Players wield guns and superpower-granting genetic modifications called Plasmids or Vigors.{{cite web|author=Westgarth, Michael|date=February 12, 2014|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2014/02/science-is-slowly-building-towards-real-life-bioshock-like-plasmids/|title=Science inches closer to real BioShock-style plasmids|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Condé Nast|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109223935/https://arstechnica.com/science/2014/02/science-is-slowly-building-towards-real-life-bioshock-like-plasmids/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Barratt, Charlie|date=August 17, 2007|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/bioshock-plasmid-guide/|title=BioShock Plasmid Guide|website=GamesRadar+|publisher=Future Publishing|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103200535/https://www.gamesradar.com/bioshock-plasmid-guide/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2012-10-25 |title=Vigors - BioShock Infinite Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/bioshock-infinite/Vigors |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=IGN |language=en}} Also included in the collection are the games' single-player content originally released as exclusives or downloadable content packs, including BioShock 2: Minerva's Den and BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea. The multiplayer component of BioShock 2 is not included.{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=June 30, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/30/12064994/bioshock-the-collection-release-date |title=BioShock: The Collection officially announced |website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media |access-date=June 30, 2016}} It includes the challenge game modes from all three releases, and the Museum of Orphaned Concepts, a feature from an earlier collection in which the player explores an in-game gallery of abandoned development concepts.{{Cite web |last=Conditt |first=Jessica |title='BioShock: The Collection' hits PS4, Xbox One and PC in September |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016-06-30-bioshock-collection-remastered-ps4-xbox-one-pc.html |access-date=December 10, 2020 |website=Engadget|date=June 30, 2016 |publisher=Verizon Media}}

BioShock and BioShock 2 were remastered for the collection, with higher-resolution textures and new effects. The collection adds a director's commentary called Imagining BioShock, featuring the series' creative director Ken Levine and lead artist Shawn Robertson. Players unlock episodes of the commentary by finding new collectible objects added to the remastered BioShock.{{cite web |last=McKlusky |first=Kevin |date=August 29, 2016 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-new-bioshock-collection-features-developer-commentary-383441.phtml |title=The new BioShock collection features developer commentary |website=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924084539/https://www.destructoid.com/the-new-bioshock-collection-features-developer-commentary-383441.phtml |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|last=Gurwin|first=Gabe|date=August 29, 2016|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/bioshock-collection-golden-reels/|title='BioShock: The Collection' gives you even more to collect|website=Digital Trends|publisher=Designtechnica|access-date=December 10, 2020}} The remastered games run in 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.{{cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=June 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/30/bioshock-the-collection-officially-confirmed-release-date-and-trailer-revealed |title=BioShock: The Collection Officially Confirmed, Release Date and Trailer Revealed |website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=June 30, 2016}}

Development and release

Blind Squirrel Games, who previously worked with BioShock series developers Irrational Games on BioShock Infinite,{{cite web |last=Pagat |first=Mat |date=June 30, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioshock-remastered-collection-confirmed-for-ps4-x/1100-6441390/ |title=BioShock Remastered Collection Confirmed for PS4, Xbox One, and PC |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=June 30, 2016}} assisted series producer 2K with development of the remastered collection. 2K decided not to remaster the Windows edition of BioShock Infinite, which already met their graphical standards for the updated console editions when using its highest graphical settings. News of the remastered collection leaked from retailers and trademarks several times in advance of its June 2016 announcement.{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=June 30, 2016 |url=http://kotaku.com/bioshock-collection-leaks-yet-again-1782831686 |title=BioShock Collection Leaks (Yet Again) [UPDATE: Official] |website=Kotaku |access-date=June 30, 2016}}

The collection was released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms in North America on September 13, 2016, and worldwide two days later, on September 15, 2016.{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=September 12, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/12/12892556/bioshock-collection-pc-release-date |title=BioShock: The Collection to keep PC players waiting just a little longer |website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media |access-date=September 12, 2016}} The collection was released for Windows on September 15, 2016, and its remastered versions of BioShock and BioShock 2 were given as upgrades for those who owned the original Windows PC editions.{{cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=June 30, 2016 |url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/06/30/those-who-own-bioshock-or-bioshock-2-on-steam-get-remaster-upgrade-free/ |title=Those who own BioShock or BioShock 2 on Steam get remaster upgrade free |website=VG247 |publisher=videogaming247 Ltd|access-date=June 30, 2016}} A macOS version published by Feral Interactive released on August 22, 2017.{{cite web|last=Broussard|

first=Michael|date=August 22, 2017|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2017/08/22/bioshock-remastered-macos/|title='BioShock Remastered' Launches for macOS Computers on Steam, Mac App Store Coming Soon|website=MacRumors|access-date=December 11, 2020}} Also produced was a limited run of 450 "Ultra Limited Edition" copies of the game which included an art book, reversible poster, and coin.{{cite web|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|date=September 14, 2016|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/09/14/unboxing-bioshock-the-collections-ultra-limited-edition|title=Unboxing BioShock: The Collection's Ultra Limited Edition|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=December 10, 2020}} The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 retail release is spread across 2 discs.{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=August 17, 2016 | url = http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/17/12490794/bioshock-the-collection-impressions-2-infinite-trailer |title=BioShock: The Collection seems like a worthwhile return to Rapture |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media|access-date=August 17, 2016}}

On release, players of the Windows versions noted that the remastered versions of the games retained bugs and removed graphic options without tweaking configuration files.{{cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=September 16, 2016 |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/09/16/bioshock-remastered-fixes/ |title=Atlas Sighs: BioShock Remastered PC Is A Bit Of A Mess |website=Rock Paper Shotgun|publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=September 16, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Paget |first=Mat |date=September 16, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioshock-pc-remasters-having-issues-only-slightly-/1100-6443675/ |title=BioShock PC Remasters Having Issues; Only Slightly Better, Steam Reviews Say |website=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=September 16, 2016}} 2K acknowledged issues with the game,{{cite web|last=Te|first=Zorine|date=September 20, 2016|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioshock-pc-remaster-issues-being-addressed-says-2/1100-6443727/|title=BioShock PC Remaster Issues Being Addressed, Says 2K|website=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures|access-date=December 10, 2020}} and subsequently released a patch in early October 2016 to address a lack of graphics options, crashes, better monitor support and mouse controls.{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=October 7, 2016 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-20-bioshock-collection-pc-patch-takes-aim-at-mouse-graphical-issues |title=BioShock Collection PC patch takes aim at mouse, graphical issues |website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=October 7, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Paget |first=Mat |date=October 7, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-bioshock-pc-remasters-patch-fixes-multiple-iss/1100-6444277/ |title=New BioShock PC Remasters Patch Fixes Multiple Issues |website=GameSpot| publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=October 7, 2016}}

In 2020, enhancement patches were released to increase the resolution of the games when played on Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro. The patch boosted the resolution of the first two games to 1440p on PS4 Pro and 2160p on Xbox One X, and 1440p for both consoles for Infinite.{{cite web|last=Battaglia|first=Alex|date=June 4, 2020|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-bioshock-the-collection-ps4-pro-xbox-one-x-patch-test|title=BioShock: The Collection gets upgraded for PS4 Pro and Xbox One X - and the results disappoint|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=December 10, 2020}} The collection was also released on the Nintendo Switch in May. It maintains the upgraded assets for the remasters of BioShock and BioShock 2, and runs at 1080p at 30 frames per second when docked, dropping to 720p in portable mode.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Thomas |title=BioShock: The Collection for Switch - classic games get a solid remaster |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-bioshock-the-collection-switch-port-analysis |website=Eurogamer|date=June 6, 2020 |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=June 7, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo/2020/3/26/21195331/nintendo-switch-direct-mini-release-date-announcements-bioshock-borderlands|title=BioShock, Borderlands games coming to Nintendo Switch in May|date=March 26, 2020|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|first=Nicole|last=Carpenter|access-date=March 26, 2020}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PS4: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock-the-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=BioShock: The Collection for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic|publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=September 13, 2016}}
XONE: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock-the-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=BioShock: The Collection for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic|publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=September 13, 2016}}
PC: 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock-the-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=BioShock: The Collection for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic|publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=September 13, 2016}}
NS: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock-the-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=BioShock: The Collection for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic|publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=July 16, 2020}}

| GameRev = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Paras |first=Peter |date=September 21, 2016 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/bioshock-the-collection |title=Bioshock: The Collection Review |website=Game Revolution|publisher=CraveOnline |access-date=September 21, 2016}}

| IGN = 8.2/10{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=September 13, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/14/bioshock-the-collection-review |title=BioShock: The Collection Review |website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=September 13, 2016}}

| VG = 8/10{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=September 15, 2016 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/bioshock-the-collection-review |title=BioShock: The Collection Review |website=VideoGamer|publisher=Resero Network |access-date=September 15, 2016}}

| NLife = 8.7/10

}}

BioShock: The Collection received "generally favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic, with platform scores between 80 and 84 out of 100. Critics generally recommended the collection for players unfamiliar with the franchise, as well as returning players,{{cite web|last=Andrews|first=Stuart|date=September 16, 2016|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a808125/bioshock-the-collection-review/|title=BioShock: The Collection review – The best way to play|website=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=December 10, 2020}} though others, such as IGN{{'}}s Jonathon Dornbush, felt that the collection's appeal to longtime players was less clear.

Game Revolution{{'}}s Peter Paras praised the updated visuals for the first two games, although they also noted that they felt dated graphically compared to modern games. While reviews generally noted improved performance on most games, others highlighted frame rate inconsistencies that Infinite still suffered from.{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Matt|date=September 30, 2016|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/bioshock-collection-review|title=BioShock Collection Review|website=Windows Central|publisher=Future plc|access-date=December 15, 2020}} The games' atmosphere was regarded to have remained intact and effective, beyond the aging of the graphics themselves.{{cite news|last=White|first=Sam|date=September 21, 2016|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/bioshock-the-collection-review---a-wonder-to-revisit-rapture/|title=BioShock: The Collection Review—A Wonder to Revisit Rapture|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=December 15, 2020}}

Nintendo Life noted that the earlier game's lack of more recent genre conventions such as aim down sights or sprinting gave them a decidedly "old school" feel that took time to get acclimated to.{{cite web|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|date=June 8, 2020|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/bioshock_the_collection|title=BioShock: The Collection Review (Switch)|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=December 10, 2020}} More critically, Insider Gamer{{'}}s Derek Taal said that the gameplay of the early games had aged poorly, and occasionally proved frustrating.{{cite web|last=Taal|first=Derek|date=September 24, 2016|url=https://www.insidegamer.nl/recensies/124891/bioshock-collection-review-atlas-haalt-zijn-schouders-op|title=BioShock Collection Review: Atlas Shrugs|website=InsideGamer.nl|publisher=Reshift Digital|language=nl|access-date=December 15, 2020}} Dornbush and others lamented that most of the improvements were for the first BioShock and the subsequent titles received less attention. Other criticisms included inconsistent controls between games{{cite web|last=Pillon |first=Thomas|date=June 30, 2020|url=http://www.gameblog.fr/tests/3675-bioshock-the-collection-switch|title=BioShock The Collection (Switch)|website=Gameblog.fr|publisher=E-Borealis|access-date=December 15, 2020|language=fr}} and audiovisual glitches.

The game was the first best-selling retail video game in the United Kingdom in its week of release in competition with seven other new releases.{{cite web |last=Hussain |first=Tamoor |date=September 19, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-uk-sales-chart-bioshock-the-collection-debu/1100-6443695/ |title=Top 10 UK Sales Chart: BioShock The Collection Debuts at No.1 |website=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=September 19, 2016}} Sales dropped by 50% in its second week, but it maintained its top position on the charts.{{cite magazine|author=Staff|date=September 26, 2016|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/bioshock-the-collection-claims-second-uk-no-1/|title=BioShock: The Collection claims second UK No.1|magazine=MCV|publisher=Biz Media|access-date=December 10, 2020}} It dropped to fourth place the following week, and out of the top 10 games the next.{{cite web|last=Hebblethwaite|first=Luke|date=October 10, 2016|url=http://ukie.org.uk/news/2016/10/fifa-17-holds-no1-ahead-2ks-mafia-iii|title='FIFA 17' holds on to No.1 ahead of 2K's 'Mafia III'|website=UKIE.org|publisher=The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment|access-date=December 10, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102223216/http://ukie.org.uk/news/2016/10/fifa-17-holds-no1-ahead-2ks-mafia-iii|archive-date=January 2, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Hebblethwaite|first=Luke|date=October 17, 2016|url=http://ukie.org.uk/news/2016/10/ea%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98fifa-17%E2%80%99-tops-chart-third-consecutive-week|title=EA's 'FIFA 17' tops the chart for a third consecutive week|website=UKIE.org|publisher=The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment|access-date=December 10, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023222516/http://ukie.org.uk/news/2016/10/ea%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98fifa-17%E2%80%99-tops-chart-third-consecutive-week|archive-date=October 23, 2016}} In the United States, the collection was the fifth best-selling title of September according to NPD Group, before dropping out of the top ten the following month.{{cite web|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|date=October 20, 2016|url=http://venturebeat.com/2016/10/20/september-2016-npd-nba-nfl-fifa-and-nhl-top-the-sales-chart/|title=September 2016 NPD: NBA, NFL, FIFA, and NHL top the sales chart|website=VentureBeat|access-date=December 10, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Hillier|first=Brenna|date=November 21, 2016|url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/11/21/battlefield-1-was-the-best-selling-game-in-a-month-with-a-36-year-on-year-software-spike-october-npd/|title=Battlefield 1 was the best-selling game in a month with a 36% year-on-year software spike – October NPD|website=VG247|publisher=videogaming247 Ltd|access-date=December 10, 2020}}