Key Takeaways
1. Performance issues: Borderlands 4 demo on Nintendo Switch 2 struggles to maintain 30 FPS, even with few enemies on screen.
2. Input lag and low resolution: The demo displayed considerable input lag and significantly lowered render resolution, raising concerns about graphical quality.
3. Other games affected: Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition also experiences performance problems, dropping to 15 FPS on the Switch 2 shortly after its release.
4. Developer challenges: Limited access to Nintendo’s developer kits has hindered third-party developers, impacting game performance and quality.
5. Download requirements: Physical copies of Borderlands 4 for the Switch 2 will require a major download due to the game’s size exceeding cartridge capacity.
An unfortunate series of reports from the Gamescom 2025 hands-on demo of Borderlands 4 for the Nintendo Switch 2 have labeled the game’s performance as “horrendous”.
Performance Concerns
According to a widely shared post on X by user EpicNNG, the demo version of Borderlands 4 at Gamescom faced significant issues, barely managing to hold a steady 30 FPS. This performance becomes even more alarming considering that EpicNNG tested the game in docked mode, struggling to maintain this frame rate with only four enemies on screen.
The user noted that the demo experienced considerable input lag, and the render resolution was noticeably lowered, raising doubts about whether DLSS and Frame Generation were functioning correctly. Nevertheless, their observations indicated that the visual quality was quite lacking, as the render resolution was set extremely low. This is not the first instance of a game on the Nintendo Switch 2 experiencing major performance issues.
Other Titles Affected
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition has also been reported to have substantial performance problems on the Nintendo Switch 2, with players noting that the game occasionally drops to 15 FPS. This is surprising since the Nintendo Switch 2 has only been available for two months, leading to concerns about whether the console can manage demanding AAA titles in the future.
Gearbox Software is currently working to enhance Borderlands 4 for its scheduled release on October 3, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2, following its launch on September 12 for Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Developer Challenges
However, developers have faced challenges with third-party titles, as there have been reports of limited access to Nintendo’s developer kits for the Switch 2. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has acknowledged the performance difficulties on the Switch 2, stating that the focus has been on content parity and cross-play support with other platforms rather than achieving a higher framerate.
It’s also important to mention that Randy Pitchford confirmed that physical copies of the Switch 2 version will necessitate a significant download, likely a Game-Key Card, since the game’s size of 68GB exceeds the cartridge capacity of the Switch 2.
This information has ignited a heated discussion in the gaming community regarding the viability of the Switch 2 as a portable option for playing AAA titles, particularly those that demand a lot from the hardware while on the go.
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