Randy Pitchford recently revealed the release date for Borderlands 4 on Nintendo Switch 2. It’s coming shortly after the game drops on all other platforms, but his recent comments on social media have some fans mildly concerned.
Firstly, it seems that Borderlands 4 will utilize the game-key card mechanic, rather than opting for a cartridge-exclusive approach. This is the assumption following Pitchford’s comment: ‘It’s a big game. There will be a download, even for physical copies.’
It also looks like the game might have some performance-related issues.
‘Important to Us’
Pitchford took to social media to respond to fans clamouring with questions following the announcement of the Borderlands 4 release date on Switch 2. One comment simply asked if the game would run at 60 FPS on Nintendo’s latest console, to which Pitchford explained:
It was important to us to not cut anything and to support cross play with other platforms. So, no. It’ll be mostly around 30 fps, with some dips in some intense moments heavy combats or if hosting a multiplayer game in handheld mode, etc.
Fans were quick to fire back, with one writing, ‘No buy without perf mode at lower res. Even B3 was 45fps on Switch 1.’ Another was playing the comparison game: ‘Metroid Prime 4 is coming in the same month or month before or after and will be at least 60fps. I mean, seriously?’
When asked about squeezing the game down to 64 GB to fit it on a cartridge, Randy explained:
It’s a big game. There will be a download, even for physical copies.
This has prompted many to be ‘concerned’ that the game will utilise the game-key card method rather than being a cartridge with an additional download.
There’s good news for existing Borderlands fans playing the third game on the Switch 2, though. Pitchford addressed the stability issues players are experiencing in Borderlands 3:
Borderlands 3 was not made for Switch 2. I want us to get on that and see what we can do. We need some help and we need some time. Borderlands 4 is everything right now.
Here’s what else Randy confirmed:
- Borderlands 4 will support the ‘mouse mode’ on Switch
- Borderlands 4 will feature four-player local ad-hoc co-operative play
Are you looking forward to Borderlands 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2? Tell me what you think about these performance concerns on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be rated soon for Switch 2
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
