Fallout 4 GOTY = base game plus all 6 official DLCs. Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition = everything in GOTY plus 150 bundled Creation Club items like quests, weapons, cosmetics, and player homes.
- Quick Comparison Table: Fallout 4 GOTY vs Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition
- What Exactly Is Included in Fallout 4 GOTY?
- What Exactly Is Included in Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition?
- Does Anniversary Edition Improve Graphics or Performance?
- If You Already Own GOTY, Do You Need to Rebuy Anything?
- Which Edition Should You Buy?
- Important Caveats Players Should Know
- Conclusion
TL;DR
Fallout 4 GOTY vs Anniversary Edition — Quick Summary
Fallout 4 GOTY gives you the base game plus all 6 official DLCs, while Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition includes everything in GOTY plus a large curated bundle of Creation Club content.
- Core difference: GOTY = base game + all 6 DLCs. Anniversary = GOTY + ~150 Creations (quests, weapons, cosmetics, player homes, settlement items).
- Official DLCs are identical: both editions include Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World.
- More content out of the box: Anniversary adds a bundled Creations pack and often lists ~14 brand-new Creations, plus a unified Creations menu (platform-dependent).
- No exclusive graphics/performance boost: Anniversary is a content bundle, not a visual overhaul. The next-gen update is separate and not the main reason to buy Anniversary.
- If you own GOTY already: you usually don’t need to rebuy the whole game — look for an Anniversary Upgrade / Creations Bundle instead.
- Which to buy: pick GOTY for the best value and simpler setup; pick Anniversary if you want maximum extras without hunting for add-ons.
- Important caveat (PC mods): a large number of Creations can affect mod compatibility (especially F4SE/script-heavy mods), so it’s smart to back up saves and check recent community reports before enabling everything.
Fallout 4 GOTY vs Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition (Detailed Comparison)
Quick takeaway:
GOTY = Base game + all 6 official DLCs.
Anniversary = GOTY + a big curated bundle of Creations.
| Category | Feature | Fallout 4 GOTY | Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Content | Base game | Included | Included | — |
| Official DLCs (all 6) | Included | Included | — | |
| Story expansions | Included
| Included
| — | |
| More details | Show DLC list
Both editions include the exact same official DLC set. | — | ||
| Extra Content | Creation Club / Creations bundle | Not included | Included
| Anniversary |
| Brand-new Creations | — | Includes additional new Creations (often listed as ~14) | Anniversary | |
| Unified Creations menu | Not included | Included (supported platforms) | Anniversary | |
| Tech & Platform | Next-gen / graphics update | Available separately (platform-dependent) | Available separately (platform-dependent) | — |
| Mod support (community mods) | Supported (platform-dependent)
| Supported (platform-dependent)
| — | |
| Install size | Base game + DLCs | Base game + DLCs + Creations bundle (usually larger) | GOTY (smaller) | |
| Buyer Takeaway | Best for |
|
| Depends |
| TLDR; | Definitive “DLC-complete” edition. | GOTY + lots of curated extras. | GOTY (value) / Anniversary (extras) | |
Note: Some details (like next-gen patches or platform support for Creations menus) can vary by platform/store.
When publishing, consider adding a short platform note (PC / PS / Xbox).
Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Genres: Shooter, Role-playing (RPG)
Fallout 4 | Anniversary Edition
Release Date: November 10, 2025
Genres: Shooter, Role-playing (RPG)
What Exactly Is Included in Fallout 4 GOTY?
You get the full base game and all six major DLCs in one purchase:
- Automatron: short questline that lets you build and customize your own robots
- Wasteland Workshop: adds new settlement items, traps, and creature cages
- Far Harbor: large story expansion set on a mysterious island
- Contraptions Workshop: settlement building tools like conveyor belts and logic gates
- Vault-Tec Workshop: lets you build and manage your own vault with experiments
- Nuka-World: adds a new area with its own story where you can run raider gangs
What Exactly Is Included in Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition?
Anniversary Edition includes:
- Base game and all six official DLCs from the GOTY edition
- Over 150 pieces of Creation Club content including:
- New quests
- Unique weapons and armor
- Cosmetics and visual upgrades
- Player homes
- Settlement packs and workshop items
- 14 brand new Creations not available elsewhere
- Unified Creations menu (platform dependent)
Bethesda maintains the full list of included content on its official Creation Club site. The bundle removes the need to purchase each item separately.
Does Anniversary Edition Improve Graphics or Performance?
No, The Anniversary Edition is about content, not visuals.
Fallout 4’s next-gen update is available separately and adds support for modern consoles and minor improvements. This is a free upgrade for most players. It is not tied to the Anniversary Edition and should not be the reason to buy it. There is no new engine or full visual overhaul exclusive to this release.
If You Already Own GOTY, Do You Need to Rebuy Anything?
You do not need to repurchase the whole game.
If you already own the base game or GOTY and want the extra content, look for the Anniversary Upgrade or the Creations Bundle. These are sold as add-ons and are much cheaper than buying the full package again. Pricing varies by platform, but it is usually around 20 dollars or the local equivalent.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
- Choose GOTY if you want the core game and official DLCs like Far Harbor and Nuka-World and prefer a classic setup with fewer variables
- Choose Anniversary Edition if you want the most content possible and like having more quests, extra weapons, and customization options built into the game
Important Caveats Players Should Know
- On PC, a large number of Creations may affect mod compatibility or break load order, especially if you use F4SE or script-heavy mods
- Some users report performance drops or UI glitches tied to bundled Creation Club content
- It is smart to back up your saves before enabling large numbers of Creations
- Always check recent community reports and patch notes before installing on modded setup
Conclusion
Anniversary Edition equals GOTY plus a full Creations bundle.
If you want the official DLC and nothing more, GOTY gives you the best value. If you like having more gear, side quests, and customization baked into the game from day one, Anniversary is the all-in version worth the extra cost.