Borderlands 4 struggles to run on the Nintendo Switch 2 console, raising doubts about third-party support and the future of Switch 2 games.
By Wright Robinson, August 26, 2025
The hype surrounding the upcoming Borderlands 4 should have been an easy win for Gearbox and 2K. Instead, the early buzz around the game’s performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 console has cast a shadow of doubt over what was expected to be one of the most high-profile releases of the year. During Gamescom 2025, players who got hands-on time with the Switch 2 build walked away with one resounding impression: the game simply isn’t ready. Reports described sluggish frame rates, heavy input lag, and downgraded visuals, which is beginning to create concern among fans who hoped this title would be a flagship showcase for the next generation of nintendo switch 2 console games.
Framerate Problems Plague One of the Most Anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Games
Performance is at the heart of the criticism. Early testers revealed that Borderlands 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2 console struggled to maintain a steady 30 frames per second, even with only a handful of enemies on screen. In docked mode, where players usually expect smoother gameplay, the system buckled under the strain. For a fast-paced shooter that thrives on chaos and split-second reactions, frame drops of this magnitude are more than just an inconvenience- they’re a game breaker. If this continues into launch, it risks damaging trust in how third-party developers delivering ambitious games on the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Input Lag and Visual Downgrades on Nintendo Switch 2 Console
The framerate isn’t the only problem. Input lag in Borderlands 4 has been described by those at the event as “the worst they’ve ever experienced,” making combat feel clunky and unresponsive. Combined with visuals that were likened to “Play-Doh textures”- blurry, rough, and muddy. This makes it paint a grim picture for the Switch 2 build. The chaotic firefights that define Borderlands lose their punch when every button press feels delayed and every explosion is marred by fuzzy resolution. Many gamers won’t see it as just a performance hiccup- it’s a question of whether the Nintendo Switch 2 console can handle sprawling, modern looter-shooters at all.
Comparing Borderlands 4 on PC and Nintendo Switch 2 Console
What stings most is the contrast. On PC, Borderlands 4 has been praised for its sharp visuals, fluid framerates, and overall polish. The gap between that experience and the one shown on the Nintendo Switch 2 console is so stark that it feels like two different games. There is a risk of a divide being created in the community due to this split, where Switch 2 owners may feel shortchanged compared to players on other platforms. It’s a stark reminder that even as the console launches with powerful marketing and first-party hits, the real test for the nintendo switch 2 console will be whether it can handle demanding multiplatform titles without compromise.
Gearbox CEO Nervous About Borderlands 4 Challenges
Adding to the conversation, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford recently admitted he was “a little nervous” about how Borderlands 4 would be received, particularly due to some challenging gameplay sections. While his comments were focused on design philosophy, he acknowledged that not all players crave “deep, hard challenges”- a statement that now take on new meaning in light of the Switch 2 concerns. Difficulty spikes are one thing; fighting against poor performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 console is another entirely.
The Future of Nintendo Switch 2 Console Games
This situation also raises bigger questions for the platform. The Nintendo Switch 2 console is launching with enormous expectations, and while first-party titles like Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition have shown the hardware’s potential, third-party support will ultimately determine how broad the system’s appeal really is. If major franchises like Borderlands can’t run smoothly, it could limit confidence among developers and fans alike, especially when stacked against the competition in 2025’s crowded gaming landscape. The performance of Borderlands 4 may end up being a case study for how future nintendo switch 2 console games are optimized—or not.
Borderlands 4 Release Details
Borderlands 4 is scheduled to release on October 3, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Nintendo Switch 2 console. Switch players will be getting it a few weeks later than other platforms, adding more time for optimization. Whether that delay will be enough to fix the glaring issues remains to be seen, but fans are clinging to the hope that the Switch 2 version won’t be treated as a rushed, downgraded afterthought. Fans of the franchise want the same care and polish given to other platforms, not a compromised experience simply because they chose to play on Switch.
