Borderlands 4 on Switch 2 will run at 30 FPS, says Gearbox

As excitement builds for the upcoming Borderlands 4, fans on Nintendo’s next-gen handheld hybrid, the Switch 2, now have more clarity on what to expect performance-wise. According to Gearbox Software’s Randy Pitchford, the game will run “mostly around 30 FPS,” with occasional dips during intense combat or multiplayer sessions—particularly in handheld mode.

Pitchford responded directly to fan questions on social media, explaining that preserving the full game experience across all platforms took priority over frame rate targets. “It was important to us not to cut anything and to support cross-play with other platforms,” he said. As a result, while players on more powerful hardware may enjoy smoother frame rates, Switch 2 players will still get the complete core experience.

One of the trade-offs comes in storage as well. Even physical copies of Borderlands 4 on Switch 2 will require a download due to the game's large file size. This suggests the game will use a key-card system rather than fitting everything onto a single cartridge—something that has drawn mixed reactions from fans.

No Feature Cuts for Nintendo Players

Despite performance and storage concerns, there’s still plenty of good news for Switch 2 players. The game will support four-player local ad-hoc co-op and even mouse mode, offering unique control options that enhance play flexibility. Pitchford also acknowledged current issues with Borderlands 3 on the platform, stating that the team hopes to revisit that game in time—but right now, Borderlands 4 is their top priority.

This update follows recent news that players will finally be able to mute Claptrap in Borderlands 4, a long-requested feature from fans. That option, along with deeper player customization, points to a game more attuned to player preferences than ever before.

Borderlands 4 launches September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with the Switch 2 version arriving shortly after. Be sure to use our price comparison tool to find the best deal on Borderlands 4 for your platform of choice.