- Mafia III Definitive Edition bundles the full base game with every story expansion and bonus pack in one package
- Included DLC: Faster, Baby!, Stones Unturned, Sign of the Times, plus the Family Kick-Back and Judge, Jury & Executioner packs
- Platforms: PC (Steam, GOG), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One — playable on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles via backward compatibility
- Free update: The free frame rate update unlocks 60 FPS on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and capable PCs
- New players: Buy Definitive Edition, not the 2016 original — the complete package replaced the base game everywhere
What Is Mafia III Definitive Edition?
Mafia III Definitive Edition is the complete re-release of Hangar 13's 2016 open-world crime game. It launched in May 2020 alongside the Mafia anniversary re-releases, and it folds the base campaign together with every piece of post-launch story content into a single package.
The story remains the same Lincoln Clay revenge saga: a Vietnam veteran betrayed at Sammy's bar wages a district-by-district war on Sal Marcano's empire in 1968 New Bordeaux. What the Definitive Edition changes is scope — the campaign now flows straight into three full expansions without separate purchases.
What the package includes:
- The complete Mafia III base campaign across all nine districts
- Faster, Baby! — high-speed chases and the Sinclair Parish countryside
- Stones Unturned — a jungle-hunting side story with CIA handler John Donovan
- Sign of the Times — a slower, voodoo-tinged chapter set in Southdowns
- Bonus cosmetics and weapons from the Family Kick-Back and Judge, Jury & Executioner packs
Definitive Edition vs the Original 2016 Release
Storefronts have replaced the original 2016 version with the Definitive Edition, so the comparison is mostly about what owners of the old release are missing.
| Original (2016) | Definitive Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Base campaign | Yes | Yes |
| Three story DLCs | Sold separately | Included |
| Bonus packs | Separate pre-order items | Included |
| 60 FPS free update | Applies to both | Applies to both |
| Current storefront availability | Delisted | The standard version |
If you already own the 2016 base game, the season pass route can still complete your collection — but for anyone starting fresh, Definitive Edition is the only version on sale and the simplest way to play everything in order.
Where You Can Play It
Mafia III Definitive Edition ships for three platform families, and the free frame rate update treats them differently.
Key Takeaways
- PC (Steam, GOG) — the definitive way to play: ultrawide support, higher frame rates, and graphics settings; check the PC requirements guide before installing
- PlayStation 4 / PS5 — runs on PS5 via backward compatibility with the 60 FPS update enabled
- Xbox One / Xbox Series — same backward-compatible treatment, with Series X|S performance gains from the free update
- Steam Deck — verified playable, with setup tips covered in the Steam Deck guide
Check the platforms hub for store-specific setup guides — PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Steam, Steam Deck, and GOG each have their own walkthrough.
How to Start the Definitive Edition Campaign
Play the base campaign first
Finish the nine-district takeover before touching the expansions. The DLCs assume Lincoln's empire already exists, and the story hits harder in release order.
Enable the 60 FPS update
On PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or a capable PC, make sure the free frame rate update is active — it is the single biggest quality-of-life change since 2016.
Move on to the DLC in order
Play Faster, Baby!, then Stones Unturned, then Sign of the Times. The DLC play order guide explains what each expansion adds and when its story lands.
DLC Play Order
60 FPS Update Setup
Definitive Edition Review
FAQ
Q: What is included in Mafia III Definitive Edition?
The Definitive Edition includes the full Mafia III base campaign, all three story expansions — Faster, Baby!, Stones Unturned, and Sign of the Times — plus the Family Kick-Back Pack, the Judge, Jury & Executioner Weapons Pack, and all free post-launch updates such as the 60 FPS frame rate patch.
Q: How is Definitive Edition different from the original Mafia III?
The original 2016 release sold each story expansion separately and has since been delisted. Mafia III Definitive Edition bundles the base game with every expansion and bonus pack in one package, making it the standard and most cost-effective way to play the complete story.
Q: Which platforms support Mafia III Definitive Edition?
The game runs on PC via Steam and GOG, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility, and the free frame rate update brings 60 FPS gameplay to newer consoles and capable PCs.
Q: Do I need to play the DLC expansions in order?
The expansions can be started after reaching a certain point in the base campaign, and the recommended order is Faster, Baby!, then Stones Unturned, then Sign of the Times. Playing the base story first keeps Lincoln's arc and the expansions' character introductions in the intended sequence.
Q: Should new players buy Definitive Edition or the original Mafia III?
New players should buy Mafia III Definitive Edition. The original release is no longer sold on storefronts, and the Definitive Edition is the only package that contains the complete story with all expansions and bonus content included.