Borderlands 4 Faces Early Performance Hurdles on Nintendo Switch 2
Expectations are high for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with Nintendo actively promoting its ability to handle major AAA titles on the go. While initial presentations at Gamescom seemed promising, showcasing games like an 'Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition' and 'Cyberpunk 2077' to highlight the system's power, the reality for some titles appears to be less optimistic. While Cyberpunk 2077 reportedly ran stably, 'Elden Ring' faced such significant performance issues that its publisher reportedly restricted gameplay recording at the event. Now, another highly anticipated game, Borderlands 4, seems to be encountering similar difficulties.
Insider Reports Detail Significant Issues
According to insider EpicNNG, the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 shown at Gamescom suffered from severe frame rate drops. EpicNNG bluntly stated, "Borderlands 4 on the Switch 2 could barely run at 30fps with 4 enemies on screen in docked mode. It had horrendous input delay, and the render resolution was seemingly turned all the way down." These observations paint a concerning picture for a game known for its fast-paced action and numerous on-screen enemies.
It's worth noting that not all attendees experienced the same issues. Some individuals commenting on EpicNNG's post on X (formerly Twitter) claimed the game ran "smoothly" for them, reporting no problems. However, the majority of feedback leaned towards dissatisfaction with the optimization.
Fan Concerns and Developer Insights
Fans of Nintendo are voicing their disappointment, fearing that such performance issues could negatively impact the console's sales and reputation. Industry experts suggest that the problems might not solely lie with the developers. Nintendo reportedly provided development kits to studios quite late and in limited numbers, leaving developers with insufficient time to properly optimize their projects for the new hardware.
Interestingly, Gearbox Software co-founder Randy Pitchford previously commented on the performance target for Borderlands 4 on Switch 2. When asked about achieving 60 frames per second, Pitchford stated, "It was important for us not to cut anything and to support cross-play. So—no. The game will run mainly at 30 fps, with drops in busy scenes or when acting as the host server in portable mode." This prior statement indicates that even a stable 30 frames per second was the initial goal, which, based on recent reports, appears to be a challenge for the Switch 2 version.
Release Details and Future Hopes
Borderlands 4 is set to launch on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5 on September 12th. The Nintendo Switch 2 version is scheduled for a slightly later release on October 3rd. Players can look forward to text localization in Russian, among other languages.
With a few weeks remaining until the Switch 2 release, fans and critics alike are hopeful that Gearbox will have enough time to significantly improve optimization. The ability of the Switch 2 to consistently deliver a smooth experience for demanding titles like Borderlands 4 will be crucial for its success and for meeting the high expectations set for Nintendo's next-generation hardware.
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