Borderlands 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Release Paused as Gearbox and Take-Two Refocus Efforts
The much-anticipated release of Borderlands 4 for Nintendo Switch 2 has officially been put on hold, as developer Gearbox and publisher Take-Two Interactive shift their attention to enhancing existing versions and supporting future Nintendo titles.
This decision reflects recent industry trends prioritizing post-launch improvement and live service elements, especially on newer console platforms. Borderlands 4, the latest installment in Gearbox’s critically acclaimed looter-shooter franchise, was initially planned for major console platforms, including the unreleased Nintendo Switch 2.
The game’s prior launches, however, were marred by widespread criticism concerning technical performance and stability on consoles.
In response, Gearbox had previously announced an indefinite delay for the Switch 2 version, informing fans that more development time was required to deliver "the best possible experience." Now, Take-Two Interactive has confirmed a significant change in direction.
In a statement provided to Variety, Take-Two spokesperson Alan Lewis announced, "We made the difficult decision to pause development on that SKU.
Our focus continues to be delivering quality post-launch content for players along with ongoing improvements to optimize the game." Lewis emphasized continued collaboration with Nintendo, mentioning forthcoming releases such as 'PGA Tour 2K25' and 'WWE 2K26' for Switch 2.
He added, "We’re incredibly excited about bringing more of our titles to that platform in the future." Both Gearbox and Take-Two have extensive histories of supporting their releases with post-launch updates, a practice that has become essential given the evolving standards of game development and player expectations.
The Borderlands franchise, known for its fast-paced gunplay and cooperative gameplay, has sold millions of units worldwide and remained a flagship title for Gearbox across multiple console generations and digital storefronts, including the Nintendo eShop. While the indefinite pause of the Switch 2 version is undoubtedly disappointing for Nintendo fans, Take-Two’s commitment to ongoing collaboration signals a robust pipeline of future games.
The focus on shoring up performance and post-launch content for existing Borderlands 4 players appears to be the publisher’s immediate priority, with possible resumption on Switch 2 development dependent on resolving earlier technical challenges. Looking ahead, Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to feature a growing lineup of AAA releases, as seen with announcements of PGA Tour 2K25 and WWE 2K26 for the platform.
Despite this setback for Borderlands 4, the continued partnership between Nintendo, Gearbox, and Take-Two bodes well for Switch owners eager for new gaming experiences on upcoming hardware.
Readers can stay tuned for further updates via the Nintendo Direct presentations and official publisher channels.
This decision reflects recent industry trends prioritizing post-launch improvement and live service elements, especially on newer console platforms. Borderlands 4, the latest installment in Gearbox’s critically acclaimed looter-shooter franchise, was initially planned for major console platforms, including the unreleased Nintendo Switch 2.
The game’s prior launches, however, were marred by widespread criticism concerning technical performance and stability on consoles.
In response, Gearbox had previously announced an indefinite delay for the Switch 2 version, informing fans that more development time was required to deliver "the best possible experience." Now, Take-Two Interactive has confirmed a significant change in direction.
In a statement provided to Variety, Take-Two spokesperson Alan Lewis announced, "We made the difficult decision to pause development on that SKU.
Our focus continues to be delivering quality post-launch content for players along with ongoing improvements to optimize the game." Lewis emphasized continued collaboration with Nintendo, mentioning forthcoming releases such as 'PGA Tour 2K25' and 'WWE 2K26' for Switch 2.
He added, "We’re incredibly excited about bringing more of our titles to that platform in the future." Both Gearbox and Take-Two have extensive histories of supporting their releases with post-launch updates, a practice that has become essential given the evolving standards of game development and player expectations.
The Borderlands franchise, known for its fast-paced gunplay and cooperative gameplay, has sold millions of units worldwide and remained a flagship title for Gearbox across multiple console generations and digital storefronts, including the Nintendo eShop. While the indefinite pause of the Switch 2 version is undoubtedly disappointing for Nintendo fans, Take-Two’s commitment to ongoing collaboration signals a robust pipeline of future games.
The focus on shoring up performance and post-launch content for existing Borderlands 4 players appears to be the publisher’s immediate priority, with possible resumption on Switch 2 development dependent on resolving earlier technical challenges. Looking ahead, Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to feature a growing lineup of AAA releases, as seen with announcements of PGA Tour 2K25 and WWE 2K26 for the platform.
Despite this setback for Borderlands 4, the continued partnership between Nintendo, Gearbox, and Take-Two bodes well for Switch owners eager for new gaming experiences on upcoming hardware.
Readers can stay tuned for further updates via the Nintendo Direct presentations and official publisher channels.
