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Short answer: Mafia II: Definitive Edition is a remaster of the 2010 Mafia II, not a remake. 2K says it improves the original’s visuals and audio, and the edition packages the main game with its three story expansions and four bonus content packs. The official material does not establish platform-by-platform graphics or performance gains, so the clearest practical differences are the presentation 2K describes, bundled content, and platform-specific ownership rules.
Is Mafia II: Definitive Edition a remake or a remaster?
It is a remaster of the 2010 game. 2K calls it “the lovingly remastered version of the 2010 fan favorite with greatly improved visuals and audio” in its Mafia: Trilogy FAQ. The publisher also described it as an “ultra HD remaster” in its May 19, 2020 announcement.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Mafia II: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518uE4aLi4L._SL160_.jpg)
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Mafia II: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code] | $6.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Mafia Definitive Edition - PlayStation 4 | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mafia Trilogy (PS4) | $33.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Mafia III: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MS1FNE9yL._SL160_.jpg)
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Mafia III: Definitive Edition - Steam PC [Online Game Code] | $6.00 | Buy on Amazon |
That wording matters because Mafia: Definitive Edition—the first game in the series—is a ground-up remake. It is a different project; the Mafia II edition remasters the 2010 game rather than rebuilding it as a remake.
What changed in the visuals and audio?
2K says the Definitive Edition has improved visuals and audio and describes the main game as a full 4K remaster. Its announcement refers to “completely remastered 4K compatible visuals.” That is the publisher’s description, not confirmation that every console or PC configuration renders at native 4K.
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#1 Best Overall
- Golden-era Drama: Inspired by iconic mafia dramas, be immersed in the allure and impossible escape of life as a wise guy in the Mafia.
- Empire Bay, NY: Post-World War 2 Empire Bay, NY, a city sprawling with opportunity and where organized crime thrives on the booming industries of post-war America.
- The Complete & Remastered Favorite: For the first-time ever experience the Mafia II crime drama all in one package and presented in stunning HD detail.
- Own Mafia II: Definitive Edition to unlock Vito’s Leather Jacket and Car in both Mafia and Mafia III Definitive Editions.
The official pages reviewed do not provide a detailed, platform-by-platform change log for resolution, textures, lighting, or frame rate. They also do not establish which edition has fewer bugs or runs more consistently. Treat the presentation improvements as 2K’s stated intent, not a guarantee of a particular result on your hardware.
What does Mafia II: Definitive Edition add?
The edition bundles the main game with all three story DLCs and four bonus content packs, according to 2K’s FAQ:
Rank #2
- Please note that this item is not currently eligible for Release Date Delivery, so pre-orders may not arrive on the day of release.
- Play a mob movie: Live the life of a prohibition-era gangster and Rise through the ranks of the Mafia.
- Lost heaven, il: Recreated 1930's cityscape, filled with interwar architecture, cars and culture to see, hear and interact with.
- Re-made classic: Faithfully recreated, with expanded story, gameplay and original score. This is the Mafia you remember and much more.
- Own Mafia: Definitive Edition to unlock tommy's suit and cab in both Mafia II and Mafia III Definitive editions.
| Included content | What it is |
|---|---|
| Betrayal of Jimmy | Story DLC |
| Jimmy’s Vendetta | Story DLC |
| Joe’s Adventures | Story DLC |
| Greaser | Bonus content pack |
| Renegade | Bonus content pack |
| Vegas | Bonus content pack |
| War Hero | Bonus content pack |
2K says bonus pack content unlocks by completing chapters in the main story. If you own only the 2010 game, check your platform’s current listing to see which content is already in your library and what the Definitive Edition includes there.
Which version should you play or buy?
Choose the Definitive Edition if you want the bundled content
If you want the three story expansions and four bonus packs alongside the main game, the Definitive Edition is the more complete package. It is also the version to consider if you want the remastered presentation described by 2K, with the caveat that the official sources do not verify exact image quality or performance on each platform.
Rank #3
- Mafia: Trilogy, includes main games and all DLC releases
- Three Eras of Organized Crime in America
- Mafia: Definitive Edition - 1930's, Lost Heaven, IL
- Mafia II: Definitive Edition - 1940's - 50's, Empire Bay, NY
- Mafia III: Definitive Edition - 1968, New Bordeaux, LA.Pre-Purchase bonus: The Chicago outfit: exclusive vehicle, weapon and outfit
Check your Steam PC library before buying
2K’s FAQ states that existing Steam PC owners of Mafia II received the Definitive Edition at no additional cost, while the original remained in their library as Mafia II (Classic). The FAQ also says Classic save games can be transferred to the Definitive Edition on Steam PC only. On the other partner platforms it discusses, the Definitive Edition is a new listing that requires purchase. These are the FAQ’s stated ownership rules; check the current storefront before paying, since listings and terms can change.
Use current PC requirements as a compatibility check
2K Support’s requirements article, published May 19, 2020 and updated September 3, 2025, lists the following specifications for the Definitive Edition. These figures are not a comparison with the original game’s requirements.
Rank #4
- NEW BORDEAUX, LA: A vast world ruled by the mob and detailed with the sights and sounds of the era.
- A LETHAL ANTI-HERO: Be Lincoln Clay, orphan and Vietnam veteran hell bent on revenge for the deaths of his surrogate family.
- REVENGE YOUR WAY: Choose your own play-style; brute force, blazing guns or stalk-and-kill tactics, to tear down the Mafia.
- A NEW FAMILY ON THE ASHES OF THE OLD: Build a new criminal empire your way by deciding which lieutenants you reward, and which you betray.
- Own Mafia III: Definitive Edition to unlock Lincoln’s Army Jacket and Car in both Mafia and Mafia II Definitive Editions.
| PC requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 8.1 64-bit | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel i5-2500K or AMD FX-8120 | Intel i7-3770 or AMD FX 8350 4.0 GHz |
| Memory | 6 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics card | Radeon HD7870 or GeForce GTX 660 | Radeon R9 290X or GeForce GTX 780 |
| Video memory | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Free space | 50 GB | 50 GB |
These are the publisher’s listed requirements, not a guarantee of compatibility with every current system configuration. Review the full 2K PC system requirements and verify compatibility with your operating system and hardware before buying.
Physical copies depend on region
2K said the physical Mafia: Trilogy edition, which includes Mafia II: Definitive Edition, was released in select EMEA and Asia territories. At the time its FAQ was written, 2K said there were no plans for a physical edition in the Americas. This describes the announced regional release, not current stock or every market. The 2K Store page reviewed is a digital listing, not evidence of a physical copy being available.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat the official comparison does—and does not—establish
2K identifies Hangar 13 as developer and 2K as publisher on its store listing. The available official information clearly distinguishes the editions by remastered presentation and included content, and specifies a Steam PC ownership and save-transfer policy. It does not provide enough detail to rank the editions by bugs, frame-rate stability, or exact graphics quality across platforms. If those factors are decisive for you, consult current platform-specific information rather than assuming the remaster is technically superior in every respect.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
