Gearbox is back at it. When the teaser for Borderlands 4 dropped at Gamescom 2024, the internet basically exploded, but then came the platform list. PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S. Notice something missing? Nintendo.
It’s the same old song and dance for handheld fans. We’re sitting here wondering if we’ll ever get to loot and scoot on the go without the frame rate dropping into the single digits. But things feel different this time around because of the "Switch 2."
Rumors are flying. Honestly, the timing is almost too perfect. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has been pretty vocal about his love for Nintendo in the past, yet the technical gap between the current Switch and Unreal Engine 5 is like trying to fit a gallon of water into a shot glass. It just doesn't work.
What we know about Borderlands 4 Switch 2 compatibility
Let's look at the hardware. We know Borderlands 4 is being built on Unreal Engine 5. That's a massive deal. UE5 is a beast that eats CPUs for breakfast, specifically because of features like Lumen and Nanite. The current Switch? It’s rocking a Tegra X1 chip from 2015. My toaster has more processing power than that thing does in handheld mode.
But the Switch 2—or whatever Nintendo ends up calling their next-gen successor—is rumored to be a different animal entirely. We’re talking about a custom NVIDIA chip based on the Ampere architecture. Think DLSS 3.1. Think Ray Reconstruction. If the leaks from reputable sources like Digital Foundry and various shipping manifests are even 50% accurate, the Switch 2 will have the "grunt" to handle modern engines.
Does that mean a day-and-date release? Probably not. Gearbox confirmed a 2025 release window for the main platforms. If the Switch 2 launches in early 2026, we might be looking at a "Deluxe Edition" port later that year.
The DLSS factor changes everything
Here’s the thing most people get wrong about "impossible" ports: it’s not just about raw horsepower anymore. It’s about AI upscaling.
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If Borderlands 4 Switch 2 becomes a reality, it’ll be because of Deep Learning Super Sampling. NVIDIA's tech allows a console to render at a lower resolution (like 720p or 1080p) and then use AI to make it look like 4K. It saves a massive amount of overhead. The original Borderlands 3 port on Switch was a miracle, but it was a messy one. It had long load times. The textures looked like mud sometimes. With a more powerful chip and DLSS, Gearbox wouldn't have to compromise nearly as much on the art style.
Why Gearbox won't ignore Nintendo this time
Money talks. The Switch has sold over 140 million units. Even if the Switch 2 only captures half of that audience in its first two years, that’s a massive market Gearbox and 2K Games can't ignore.
Take a look at the history.
- Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition (Ported)
- Borderlands 2 (Ported)
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (Ported)
- Borderlands 3 (Ported years later)
The pattern is obvious. They wait. They optimize. They release.
Randy Pitchford actually tweeted recently about the excitement surrounding new hardware. While he didn't name-drop Nintendo specifically, he’s a guy who likes his games everywhere. If the Switch 2 can run it, Gearbox will put it there. They’ve already done the hard work of getting the older games to run on ARM-based architecture.
The technical hurdles are still real
Don't get too ahead of yourself, though. Even with a beefier console, Borderlands 4 is going to be a massive game. We're talking huge open zones, thousands of projectiles on screen, and that signature chaotic elemental effects system.
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Physics are usually the first thing to get cut. Remember how the enemy density in Borderlands 3 on Switch felt a little... lonely? That's because the CPU couldn't handle the AI calculations for twenty psychos at once. The Switch 2 needs a serious CPU upgrade, not just a GPU one, to keep the "Borderlands feel" intact. If the rumors of an 8-core ARM Cortex processor are true, then we're in business.
What the fans are saying
I’ve been lurking in the subreddits. Most fans are skeptical. They remember the Mortal Kombat 1 disaster on Switch. Nobody wants a version of Borderlands 4 where the Vault Hunters look like PS1 characters.
But there’s a sense of optimism because of how well Hogwarts Legacy was handled. If a game that massive can run on the old Switch, imagine what a dedicated "Pro" or "Next Gen" port could look like. It’s all about the dev team. If 2K hires a porting house like Saber Interactive or Panic Button, the Borderlands 4 Switch 2 version might actually be the best way to play it portably. Better than the Steam Deck? Maybe, if the battery life is superior and the OLED screen is standard.
The 2026 Timeline
Let's be real about dates.
- 2025: Borderlands 4 launches on PS5/Xbox.
- Early 2026: Nintendo finally reveals and launches the Switch 2.
- Late 2026: The inevitable "Legendary Edition" of Borderlands 4 hits the Nintendo eShop.
It’s a long wait. You might be tempted to just buy it on PC. I get it. But there’s something about farming for a legendary Unkempt Harold (or whatever the new meta weapon is) while sitting on a plane or a bus. That's the Nintendo magic.
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Actionable insights for Vault Hunters
If you're holding out for the Borderlands 4 Switch 2 version, here is what you should actually do:
- Don't buy a current Switch for this game. Seriously. It won't happen. The hardware is too old, and Gearbox has already moved on to UE5. If you want a handheld Borderlands 4 experience right now, look at a Steam Deck or ROG Ally.
- Watch the 2K earnings calls. This sounds boring, but it's where the real info is. Executives often mention "unannounced platforms" or "expanding to new ecosystems" when talking to investors. That's your signal.
- Track the "T2" (Take-Two Interactive) release schedule. They own 2K. They are notoriously tight-lipped until about six months before a port drops. If you see a "Borderlands Collection" getting a refresh, the sequel isn't far behind.
- Save your pennies. Switch 2 isn't going to be $299. Most industry analysts are looking at a $399 to $499 price point. Start stashing away some cash now if you want the console and the game at launch.
The wait for Borderlands 4 on a Nintendo platform is going to be a test of patience. The hardware gap is finally closing, and for the first time in a decade, we might actually get a version of a AAA looter-shooter that doesn't feel like a compromise. Keep your eyes on the direct. The announcement is coming; it's just a matter of when.