Full Breakdown
Darksiders Warmastered Edition Launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S with Unequal Upgrade Policies
5/20/2026, 8:10:08 PM
Current-Gen Release Details
In May 2026 THQ Nordic released Darksiders Warmastered Edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The version adds native 4K rendering, a stable 60 FPS frame rate, and a new Photo Mode while preserving the original comic-inspired art style. The launch makes the 2016 remaster available on the latest hardware for both new buyers and owners of the previous-generation editions.
Pricing Structure and Upgrade Paths
- PlayStation 5 edition: €29.99 / $29.99
- PlayStation 4 edition (still sold): €19.99 / $19.99
- PlayStation 4 -> PlayStation 5 upgrade: €9.99 / $9.99
- Xbox Series X|S edition: €29.99 / $29.99
- Xbox One edition (price increased): €29.99 / $29.99 (up from €19.99 / $19.99)
- Xbox One -> Xbox Series X|S upgrade: free of charge
Thus, existing Xbox One owners receive a cost-free upgrade, while PlayStation 4 owners must pay a separate upgrade fee.
THQ Nordic’s Official Position
THQ Nordic announced the launch via a blog post, confirming that the Xbox One upgrade will be provided at no additional cost. The company also stated that PlayStation owners will need to purchase the upgrade for $9.99/€9.99. No further explanation for the divergent pricing was offered in the announcement.
Criticism and Opposition
PrimaGames called the paid upgrade “unfair,” noting that “updates that simply bump resolution and add a few features shouldn’t be paid” and that Xbox users get a better deal. Wolf’s Gaming Blog called the policy “rather pointless,” questioning any technical justification.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
All sources agree the PlayStation upgrade costs €9.99/$9.99, while Xbox owners receive a free upgrade. The Xbox One price rise to €29.99/$29.99 is also consistent. THQ Nordic has not explained the pricing disparity, leaving the rationale unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “players who own the Xbox One version will receive the upgrade to the Xbox Series X|S version free of charge” — THQ Nordic, Official Blog
- “Updates that simply bump resolution and add a few features shouldn’t be paid, in my opinion, and Xbox users are clearly getting a better deal for the same title.” — PrimaGames, Editorial
- “It seems rather pointless, so I’m assuming there’s some sort of technical reason behind the scenes on the different storefronts.” — Wolf's Gaming Blog, Commentary
- “One of the most beloved action-adventure classics of its era rides onto a new generation of consoles: Darksiders Warmastered Edition is available now for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.” — THQ Nordic, Launch Announcement
Impact and Outlook
The divergent upgrade policy has sparked debate over platform parity. A free Xbox upgrade may encourage owners to upgrade hardware, while the paid PlayStation upgrade could deter some players. THQ Nordic has not provided an explanation for the pricing disparity.
