Buy Civilization VI Anthology if you want the publisher-described complete package. It includes the base game, the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, six New Frontier Pass DLC packs, six Leader Pass DLC packs, and additional leader and scenario DLC. Choose the base game instead if you want to learn the core game first and add content later.
The best value depends on what you already own, which platform you use, and the live price shown in your regional storefront. Store bundles, discounts, ownership credits, and DLC availability can change, so use the comparison below as a buying framework rather than a permanent price guide.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sid Meier's Civilization VI - Nintendo Switch | $28.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Sid Meier’s Civilization VI - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dd3FHFHDL._SL160_.jpg)
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Sid Meier’s Civilization VI - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Civilization VI Expansion Pack - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SNUy+0zyL._SL160_.jpg)
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Civilization VI Expansion Pack - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Civilization VI (Nintendo Switch) | $47.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Sid Meier's Civilization VI (Nintendo Switch) | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Edition comparison at a glance
| Option | What it includes | Best for | Important check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base game | The core Civilization VI game. | New players who want to start with the fundamentals. | Do not assume expansions or passes are included unless the store page says so. |
| Rise and Fall | One of Civilization VI’s two major expansions. | Players who want additional systems and content beyond the base game. | Confirm whether your chosen bundle already contains it. |
| Gathering Storm | The second major expansion. | Players seeking the other major expansion’s mechanics and scenarios. | 2K’s store information says it requires Civilization VI to play. |
| New Frontier Pass | Six DLC packs. | Players expanding their roster and scenarios after the major expansions. | Check whether the pass is included in your edition. |
| Leader Pass | Six DLC packs. | Players who want the additional leaders and related content in the current official package. | Verify inclusion on the platform page you are using. |
| Anthology | Base game, Rise and Fall, Gathering Storm, both named passes, and additional leader and scenario DLC described by the publisher. | Players who want the broadest single purchase. | Compare its current, ownership-adjusted price with the content you still need. |
The official Civilization site calls Anthology “The ultimate entry point to one of the greatest strategy games series of all time.” That is promotional wording, not an independent ranking, but its accompanying contents list is the clearest description of what the publisher intends the collection to contain.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat the base game gives you
The base game is the foundation: you lead a civilization, establish cities, research technologies and civics, negotiate with other leaders, manage resources, and pursue the game’s victory conditions. Steam lists Civilization VI as a separate product, so a storefront page for the base game should be treated as a standalone purchase unless its description explicitly names add-ons.
#1 Best Overall
- The path to victory is the one you determine
- See the marvels of your empire spread across the map
- Unlock boosts that speed your civilization's progress through history
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Drug reference, language, mild violence, suggestive themes
- Supported play modes: TV Mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode
Starting with the base game makes sense when you are unfamiliar with the series, are unsure how much complexity you want, or find a low introductory price. It also lets you spread purchases over time. The trade-off is that later expansions and passes remain separate decisions, and a sequence of individual purchases may not equal the price of a discounted collection.
What the expansions add to your purchase decision
Rise and Fall
Rise and Fall is one of the two major expansions included in the official Anthology description. If a store lists it separately, treat it as an add-on unless the bundle’s contents explicitly include it. A package that names only the base game does not automatically grant Rise and Fall.
Gathering Storm
Gathering Storm is the other major expansion named by the publisher. 2K’s store listing states that it requires Civilization VI to play, so it is not a replacement for the base game. If you are buying it separately, verify that the account and platform on which you own the base game are the same ones that will run the expansion.
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When comparing two offers, look for both expansion names rather than relying on a phrase such as “complete” or “deluxe.” Store naming is not always consistent across platforms, while the individual product list reveals what you actually receive.
Rank #2
- The path to victory is the one you determine.
- See the marvels of your empire spread across the map.
- Unlock boosts that speed your civilization's progress through history.
Understanding the two passes
New Frontier Pass
The publisher describes New Frontier Pass as six DLC packs. In practical buying terms, it is a grouped purchase rather than a major expansion name. Anthology’s official contents list includes all six packs, while a base-game listing does not imply ownership of the pass.
Leader Pass
The current official Anthology description also lists six Leader Pass DLC packs. This is important when reading older guides or store descriptions that may predate the pass. If a platform page has a shorter contents summary, open its detailed DLC list and confirm whether Leader Pass is included.
The numbers six and six are counts of product packs stated by the publisher. They are not player, sales, performance, or other market statistics.
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What Anthology includes
Anthology is the widest included-content package described on the official Civilization site. Its stated contents are:
Rank #3
- 2019 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Sid Meier’s Civilization, Civilization, Civ, 2K, Firaxis Games, Take-Two Interactive Software and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
- 2019 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Sid Meier’s Civilization, Civilization, Civ, 2K, Firaxis Games, Take-Two Interactive Software and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
- The Civilization VI base game.
- The Rise and Fall expansion.
- The Gathering Storm expansion.
- Six New Frontier Pass DLC packs.
- Six Leader Pass DLC packs.
- Additional leader and scenario DLC packs identified by the publisher.
An Xbox Windows PC listing also identifies the base game, both named expansions, individual civilization and scenario packs, and New Frontier Pass among Anthology’s contents. The publisher’s fuller page additionally names Leader Pass and other leader and scenario DLC. Because storefront descriptions can differ in length, use the exact listing for your platform when checking the final contents.
Which edition should you buy?
Choose the base game when you want a low-commitment start
- You have never played Civilization VI and want to learn the core interface first.
- You are buying on a platform where the base game is substantially cheaper than a collection.
- You expect to play only occasionally and do not yet know which expansions interest you.
- You want to wait for a sale before purchasing additional content.
Before checkout, note that later upgrades may be sold as separate expansions, passes, or civilization and scenario packs. Keep a record of what you own so you can compare a future bundle without buying the same content twice.
Choose Anthology for the broadest one-time purchase
- You want both major expansions and the publisher-listed passes.
- You prefer one library entry instead of assembling multiple add-ons.
- You are starting fresh and the current local Anthology price is close to the cost of the content you would otherwise buy.
- You want the additional leader and scenario content described on the official page.
Anthology is not automatically the cheapest choice in every region or sale. Its advantage is scope and simplicity; the storefront determines the actual price and any discount for content you already own.
Buy individual DLC when your needs are narrow
Separate expansions or packs can be sensible if you already own most of the package, want only one specific addition, or are testing whether you enjoy the base game before committing further. Compare the individual items you still need against the store’s ownership-aware bundle total before paying.
Rank #4
- PLAY YOUR WAY: The path to victory is the one you determine
- THE WORLD'S GREATEST LEADERS: Play as one of 24 different leaders from around the world
- EXPANSIVE EMPIRES: See the marvels of your empire spread across the map
- ACTIVE RESEARCH: Unlock boosts that speed your civilization's progress through history
- DYNAMIC DIPLOMACY: Interactions with other civilizations change over the course of the game.EXCITING AND UNIQUE SCENARIOS: Civilization VI for Nintendo Switch includes four playable scenarios.COOPERATIVE AND COMPETITIVE MULTIPLAYER: Up to 4 players can cooperate or compete for supremacy
If you already own the base game
Do not assume that buying Anthology means paying the full sticker price again. Many storefronts calculate a bundle using the items already attached to your account, but the retrieved product pages do not establish one universal formula or discount across platforms and regions.
- Sign in to the account that owns Civilization VI.
- Open the Anthology page on the same platform storefront.
- Read the “included,” “owned,” or bundle-completion section rather than only the headline price.
- List the expansions and passes you already own and the ones still missing.
- Compare the ownership-adjusted Anthology total with the sum of only the missing items.
- Check the final checkout screen for taxes, currency, and sale terms before confirming.
If the store does not show an ownership-aware calculation, do not infer one. The safest comparison is the amount displayed after you are signed in, alongside the separate prices for the missing content.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platform and installation checks
Edition availability and DLC management are storefront-specific. 2K Support directs players to the base game’s store page or to a platform search, then to the platform’s DLC management area to see ownership and installation status. DLC included with a game downloaded from Epic is generally downloaded during the initial game download, but the exact behavior belongs to the launcher and edition you purchased.
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- Confirm that the edition is offered for your operating system or console.
- Check that the store account you will use is the account that owns the base game.
- Read the detailed contents list for expansions, passes, civilization packs, and scenarios.
- Look for platform-specific restrictions or separate versions of the game.
After buying
- Open your library and select Civilization VI.
- Open the game’s store, properties, or downloadable-content management screen.
- Verify that each purchased expansion or pass shows as owned.
- Install or enable any item that is not already selected for download.
- Restart the game or launcher if the new content does not appear immediately.
If an item is missing, return to the platform store while signed into the purchasing account. Searching for the DLC directly can reveal whether it is owned, installable, or unavailable for that platform.
Best Value
- The path to victory is the one you determine.
- see the marvels of your empire spread across the map.
- unlock boosts that speed your civilization's progress through history.
- Entertainment software rating board (esrb) content Description: drug reference, language, mild violence, suggestive themes
Common buying mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake: treating “complete” as a guaranteed contents list
Marketing names can be shorter than the actual package description. Check for the specific names Rise and Fall, Gathering Storm, New Frontier Pass, Leader Pass, and the additional leader or scenario packs.
Mistake: buying an expansion without checking the base game requirement
Gathering Storm is explicitly described as requiring Civilization VI. Confirm the same account and platform hold the base game before purchasing any standalone expansion.
Mistake: comparing prices from another country or an old sale
Regional currency, taxes, promotions, and sale dates change. A price quoted elsewhere may not match your checkout total. Use your own storefront immediately before purchase.
Mistake: paying twice for owned content
Sign in first and inspect the bundle’s ownership calculation. If the store does not adjust the total, compare the individual missing items instead of assuming a credit.
Mistake: expecting identical DLC presentation on every platform
Xbox Windows PC, Steam, Epic, and console storefronts may display different summaries or installation controls. The platform page and its DLC manager are authoritative for your copy.
A practical decision path
- Start with ownership: If you own nothing, compare the base game with Anthology. If you own the base game, inspect the signed-in bundle price.
- Define your desired scope: Core game only means base; both major expansions and the publisher-listed passes point toward Anthology.
- Check the platform: Confirm that every desired item is available for the device and account you will use.
- Compare live totals: Use the final regional prices, not an old article, screenshot, or price from another country.
- Choose simplicity or selectivity: Anthology favors one broad purchase; individual DLC favors a narrower collection.
Bottom line for different buyers
A first-time player who wants to explore Civilization VI without committing to every add-on can begin with the base game. A new buyer who already expects to play extensively should look first at Anthology because it combines the base game, both major expansions, six New Frontier Pass packs, six Leader Pass packs, and the additional leader and scenario content named by the publisher. An existing owner should make the decision from the signed-in storefront’s ownership-adjusted total, not from the bundle’s headline price.
Quick Recap
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.
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