The Borderlands series has always been keen on recurring characters, with some of its core bunch — Lilith, Claptrap, Mad Moxxi, and Tiny Tina, to name a few — making the most reappearances. Now, Borderlands 4 is next in line to keep up that tradition, with many of its most beloved and familiar names returning to the fray, including two playable Vault Hunters from Borderlands 3 who will return as NPCs. However, one of the series' most charismatic characters has yet to be confirmed for Borderlands 4, though his presence will still surely be felt.
Marcus Kincaid is one of Borderlands' most memorable characters, as he has been with players from the series' 2009 origins. In essence, he is the face of Borderlands' weapons economy, and considering how much the franchise roots its identity in weapons, that increases his worth all the more. Add to that some comic relief and unforgettable charisma, and Marcus is one of those characters it would be hard to see absent in a Borderlands game. Unfortunately, it seems as though Marcus may be missing in person in Borderlands 4, as he has yet to be seen or mentioned in any of the game's marketing. He will still be around, though, just in a different form than usual.
Borderlands 4's Marcus Bobbleheads Could Keep Him in the Game Without Him Ever Appearing
Why Hundreds of Collectibles Might Replace a Full Character Role
While Marcus might not be returning as an NPC, he's still technically returning, just not in the form some might expect. Specifically, rather than returning in his normal fashion, his image is being used to give players over 200 reasons to explore beyond the visible boundaries of Borderlands 4's map. As players venture into the unknown in their thorough exploration of Kairos, they might stumble upon one of over 200 collectible Marcus Kincaid bobbleheads. What's most interesting about these collectibles, however, is that they don't reward players with a gameplay upgrade or even an achievement, but something that is arguably more worthwhile for its sentimental value.
As confirmed by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, Borderlands 4's Marcus bobbleheads are intended to be a message of appreciation from the developer to the community that says something along the lines of "Thank you for taking the time to explore what our environmental designers worked so hard to build." While this doesn't replace Marcus' role as the face of Borderlands' weapon economy, it does give him one of the most unique roles any NPC in the series has ever had — one that bridges the gap between developer and player, and one that does so with one of the series' most familiar faces.
How Bobbleheads Could Tie Marcus Into Borderlands 4's Lore
The lore behind these collectibles is already more fleshed out than many Easter eggs. According to Gearbox, the bobbleheads come from a shipment sent from Elpis that went catastrophically wrong, scattering them across Kairos. That premise opens the door for a subtle but effective bit of environmental storytelling. Finding a bobblehead lodged in a wrecked freighter or sitting beside a smuggler's ledger can make the search feel like uncovering the aftermath of a larger event.
That narrative thread also works as a quiet nod to long-time fans. Since Marcus has always been tied to the mercantile underbelly of the Borderlands universe, the idea of his likeness being painted onto a bobblehead and sold across planets fits perfectly with his character. Even without his physical presence, players can still piece together what he's been up to between Borderlands games simply by following the trail of misplaced merchandise. In that sense, Marcus might not actually be gone in Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
