Collectibles in Mafia II

Documenting Empire Bay

The original release of Mafia II contains two principal collectible sets:

• 50 Playboy magazines
• 159 wanted posters

The two collections are found in very different ways. Magazines are generally connected to story chapters and mission interiors, while wanted posters encourage broad exploration of Empire Bay.

Some later editions and downloadable content may track additional content separately. This guide focuses on the collectible structure of the original main campaign.

Playboy magazines

Playboy magazines appear during specific chapters, often inside buildings or restricted mission areas.

Because many interiors cannot be freely revisited from the open city, missed magazines may require replaying the relevant chapter.

Useful habits include:

• Search rooms before following an objective marker
• Check desks, shelves, floors and side rooms
• Look before leaving a location that cannot be re-entered
• Record the chapter where a magazine was missed
• Use chapter selection after completing the story

Collected magazines can be reviewed through the game’s extras or collectibles menu.

Wanted posters

Wanted posters are distributed throughout Empire Bay.

They are commonly attached to exterior walls, fences, alleys, industrial structures and less-traveled corners of the city. Unlike chapter-specific magazines, poster hunting is primarily an exercise in urban exploration.

A systematic district-by-district search is more reliable than driving randomly.

A practical search method

Divide Empire Bay into manageable areas and finish one before moving to the next.

• Search both sides of major streets
• Inspect alleys behind commercial buildings
• Walk around warehouses and industrial compounds
• Check beneath elevated structures and near rail lines
• Explore dead ends and service roads
• Mark completed areas on a city map

Use a slower, easy-to-control vehicle and leave it when walls or narrow passages require a closer inspection.

Chapter replay considerations

When replaying a chapter for magazines, remember that the story state, available locations and equipment may reflect that chapter rather than the end of the campaign.

Create a simple checklist containing:

• Chapter number
• Collectible number or description
• Location
• Whether the collectible has been confirmed

This prevents repeated searches and makes it easier to distinguish mission collectibles from citywide posters.

Collecting without breaking the story

First-time players may prefer to complete the narrative before consulting a detailed location list. Mafia II’s strongest moments depend on pacing and surprise.

A useful compromise is to search naturally during the first playthrough, then use chapter selection and free exploration to finish the collection afterward.

The collectibles extend the life of Empire Bay by drawing attention to interiors, alleys, architecture and environmental details that are easy to miss during the main story.