Borderlands 4 on Nintendo Switch 2: Gearbox Sets Performance Expectations

Gearbox Software’s acclaimed Borderlands franchise is making its way to Nintendo’s next-generation hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2, with Borderlands 4.

As anticipation builds for the next installment of this popular loot-shooter series, Gearbox Software President Randy Pitchford has offered clarity on how the game will perform on Nintendo's newest console. Borderlands 4 will be released across multiple platforms, and for Switch 2 owners, Gearbox wants to deliver the complete experience.

However, technical limitations of the hardware will also shape the final product.

Speaking directly to fans, Randy Pitchford outlined what Switch 2 players can expect, noting that Borderlands 4 will target a frame rate of 30 frames per second.

According to Pitchford, while the team wanted to maintain feature parity—including cross-play compatibility with other platforms—they had to make some trade-offs to ensure the game runs well on Nintendo Switch 2. "Our priority was not to remove any content or restrict cross-play with other systems," Pitchford emphasized in a response to fans seeking performance details.

"As such, the game will generally run at around 30fps, but there could be drops during intense combat scenarios or when someone is hosting a multiplayer session in handheld mode." This statement sets expectations for Nintendo Switch 2 users eager to experience Borderlands 4 at the high-performance levels seen on other consoles.

The decision to maintain cross-platform play highlights Gearbox’s commitment to a unified Borderlands community, even if this means sacrificing a higher frame rate typical of PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions. Pitchford also addressed community interest in bringing Borderlands 3 to Nintendo Switch 2.

He clarified that, while he is enthusiastic about investigating what’s possible, his team is currently focused on ensuring Borderlands 4’s success on the next-generation Nintendo hardware.

As such, development resources are committed to Borderlands 4, with any potential port or remaster of Borderlands 3 for Switch 2 remaining a future consideration. The Borderlands franchise has been a significant commercial success, known for its vibrant art style, engaging co-op gameplay, and humorous writing.

Gearbox Software has previously brought earlier entries to Nintendo platforms via the eShop, but the studio is now aiming to deliver a fresh flagship title for the Nintendo Switch 2 audience.

As more news emerges from Gearbox and Nintendo Direct presentations, fans can look forward to further updates on release timing, content details, and technical achievements brought to the next generation of Nintendo hardware. In summary, while Borderlands 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 will operate at a 30fps target with performance dips in certain modes, Gearbox Software emphasizes the importance of delivering a complete experience with full cross-play support—a significant step for Nintendo Switch 2’s evolving third-party library.

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