Borderlands 4 on Nintendo Switch 2: Release Date, Performance Details, and Physical Edition Download Requirement

Gearbox Software has officially announced that Borderlands 4 will be arriving on the Nintendo Switch 2, with a global release date set for October 3, 2025.

This marks one of the most anticipated launches for the next-generation Nintendo hardware, further expanding the popular Borderlands franchise onto new platforms.

With the original Borderlands debuting in 2009 and the series amassing millions of fans worldwide, the announcement underlines Nintendo’s continued commitment to delivering major third-party titles for its newest handheld-console hybrid. In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford provided new insights into Borderlands 4’s upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version.

In particular, Pitchford confirmed that the game aims to maintain performance mostly around 30 frames per second.

However, he cautioned that players might experience dips in frame rate during particularly intense combat sequences or while hosting multiplayer matches in handheld mode.

"It was a priority for us not to cut any features—including cross-play compatibility with other platforms," Pitchford explained, noting that maintaining gameplay parity sometimes came at the cost of higher frame rates. While earlier comments suggested Gearbox aimed for 60fps on home consoles, the development team ultimately decided that preserving the full Borderlands 4 experience, including seamless cross-play support, outweighed striving for a higher frame rate on the Switch 2.

This decision ensures that Nintendo Switch 2 owners will enjoy the complete package, just like players on other gaming systems. A significant detail for physical media collectors: Gearbox has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 will require a mandatory download, even when purchasing a physical edition.

This means that buyers should expect a Game-Key Card release rather than a traditional fully-contained cartridge, a move that aligns with recent trends for large-scale third-party AAA games on Nintendo hardware. Regarding the performance of Borderlands 3—which experienced several technical challenges on the Switch 2—Pitchford clarified that the earlier title was never originally designed for this new hardware.

He emphasized that the team may require additional time and resources to revisit Borderlands 3’s Switch 2 optimization, but for the moment, the studio's chief focus is the successful rollout of Borderlands 4. The Borderlands franchise, known for its distinctive cel-shaded art style, looter-shooter gameplay loop, and irreverent humor, has consistently ranked among the best-selling action RPG series.

The move to bring Borderlands 4 to Nintendo Switch 2 not only broadens the console’s third-party library but also reaffirms Nintendo’s ability to attract marquee releases from leading developers like Gearbox Software. As Borderlands 4 prepares for its October 2025 debut, Nintendo Switch 2 users should anticipate an action-packed release featuring full cross-play support, robust post-launch development, and a required download even for physical copies.

More official updates are expected as the release date approaches, and information will be available through official channels, including future Nintendo Direct presentations and the Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Borderlands 4 Switch 2 Switch Borderlands Gearbox Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford GamesRadar+