Digital Release | PC August 23, 2010 - Steam March 30, 2017 - GOG.com Xbox 360 April 19, 2011 (AU, EU, US) PlayStation 3 February 8, 2012 (AU, EU) February 21, 2012 (US) |
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Delisting | August 22, 2015 - All May 19, 2020 - Steam |
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Relisting | June 1, 2016 - Steam August 30, 2016 - PlayStation 3 September 15-22, 2016 - Xbox 360 |
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Developer | Illusion Softworks | |
Publisher | Gathering of Developers, 2K Games | |
Available On | PC (Retail, GOG.com) PlayStation 3 (Retail, Download) Xbox 360 (Retail, Download) |
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Links | Mafia 2 homepage Illusion Softworks/2K Czech homepage |
Delisting & Relisting
Mafia II was delisted from Steam on August 22nd, 2015 and from Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 around the same time. The last active Archive.org capture shows it was available for Xbox 360 on July 30th and removed by August 26th, 2015. Support forums begin questioning the game and it’s DLC availability on August 15th (Xbox) and September 3rd (PlayStation). The Steam version was put on sale the week before it was delisted and the Xbox 360 version was offered as a Games with Gold “freebie” just a few months before in May. The likely cause for the delisting is expired music licensing. A list of songs as they appeared on the original game’s music credit page, and have since been removed from the game, is provided below.
The game and DLC reappeared on Steam nine months after the previous delisting on June 1st, 2016. On August 30th, 2016 the official Mafia homepage announced that Mafia II was once again available for digital purchase on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Slightly delayed, the Xbox 360 version would return between September 16th and 22nd, 2016. The game eventually made its debut on the GOG.com platform on March 30th, 2018.
No official changelog was released but users on Steam confirmed that several songs were removed from the game. This indicates another music license expiration which is also what forced the original Mafia game to be removed from Steam (relisted in November 2017). The tracks confirmed as removed are not from any one individual label or publishing company although many of them are credited to Sony Music Licensing or EMI.
The original version of Mafia II was then delisted again on Steam on May 19th, 2020 alongside the release of Mafia II: Definitive Edition. The same thing happened with Mafia III but as of this update in January of 2021 the original version of the first Mafia game remains available alongside Mafia: Definitive Edition.
“Good Little Bad Little You” – Edwards, Cliff and his hot combination
Courtesy of JSP Records
Published by Holliday Publishing (ASCAP) and Chappell-Co Inc.
“You’re Driving Me Crazy” – Django Reinhardt
Courtesy of Hasmick International Limited
© 1930 WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
© Donaldson Publishing Company (ASCAP)
“Buttons and Bows” – Dinah Shore
Courtesy of Columbia Records
© 1948 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203.
“It Don’t mean a thing” – Duke Ellington
Published by EMI Mills Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
© 1932 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Mills Music Inc.
All rights on behalf of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203.
“Sing, Sing, Sing 3:00 minutes” – Benny Goodman
Courtesy of Columbia Records
Published by EMI Robbins Catalog (ASCAP)
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
“There’ll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin” – Andrews Sisters, The
Courtesy of Hasmick International Limited
Published by Barton Music Corp.
“Ain’t that a kick in the head” – Dean Martin
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
Published by Maraville Music Corp.
“Che La Luna” – Louis Prima
Courtesy of Prima Music LLC
Used by Permission of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc.
“Makin’ Whoopee” – Doris Day
Courtesy of Hasmick International Limited
© 1928 (Renewed) Gilbert Keyes Music Company (ASCAP) And Donaldson Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
All Rights on Behalf of Gilbert Keyes Music Company. Administered by WB Music Corp.
© Donaldson Publishing Company (ASCAP)/ WB Music Corp o/b/o Gilbert Keyes Music Co. (ASCAP).
“Oh Marie” – Louis Prima
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Published by EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
“When You’re Smiling” – Louis Prima
Music by Shay (ASCAP) and EMI Music Publishing
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Published by EMI Mills Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
“Ain’t that a Shame” – Fats Domino
Courtesy of Hasmick International Limited
Published by EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (BMI)
“I Put a Spell on You” – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Courtesy of Epic Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Published by EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (BMI)
“Why Do Fools Fall In Love” – Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
Courtesy of Hasmick International Limited
Published by EMI Virgin Songs, Inc. d/b/a EMI Longitude Music (BMI)
About the Game
From the developers of the award-winning Mafia comes Mafia II, a beautifully crafted look into the dark and unforgiving world of the Mob. Expanding upon the original hit that captivated more than 2 million gamers around the world, 2K Czech takes players deeper into the Mafia with a mature and exciting experience that will immerse players like never before.
Powered by 2K Czech’s next-generation engine built specifically for Mafia II, players will experience the true evolution of the Mob game that defined a genre. Gunfights, hand-to-hand combat and vehicular exploration feature new depth and dimension that allow players to experience the world of Mafia II in a way that will keep them coming back for more.
- Gangster-Movie Experience: Through strong, authentic characterization and compelling narrative, the mature storyline will make you understand the pull and impossible escape of life in the Mob
- Action-Packed Gameplay: Take part in heart-stopping car-to-car gunfights, white-knuckled hand-to-hand combat and intense gunplay, all of which come together to form an intense and exciting experience
- All-New Engine Powers the Next Generation of Mob Videogames: 2K Czech’s next-generation engine, allows gamers to travel from beautifully rendered outdoor environments to intricately designed interiors seamlessly without the need for loading times
- Authentic Script From the Writer of Mafia I: The writing team from Mafia I returns to deliver another powerhouse script that portrays a stunning tale of survival, camaraderie and the pitfalls of pursuing the American Dream
- Music as Environment: Players will be immersed in the Golden Era of America as Mafia II features tracks from some of the era’s most influential artists