2025 has already seen several excellent games arrive, with two of them, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, both landing exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. Now, another one of this year's most anticipated titles, Borderlands 4, is almost here as well, and while it will be playable on multiple platforms — PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 — it will also be finding an unlikely home on Nintendo's latest console. It's not the first Borderlands game to be playable on the Switch, but it is the first Borderlands title to be developed with the Switch in mind. And given the Switch 2's increased performance over its predecessor, Borderlands 4 is positioned to feel quite comfortable on the portable console.
The only thing about Borderlands 4 coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, however, is that there's a catch. The idea of looting and shooting on the go — and on a Nintendo console, for that matter — is rather enticing, to say the least. Unfortunately, those who plan on playing Borderlands 4 exclusively on the Switch 2 will have to come to terms with its release date, and that might be difficult to do considering how much earlier PC, Xbox, and PlayStation players will get to experience the game before its Switch 2 launch.
Borderlands 4 Devs Share Opinions on Nintendo Switch 2
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford shares his thoughts on the Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 and what makes the upcoming game and console so exciting.
Borderlands 4 May Feel Right at Home on Switch 2, If Players Can Stomach the Wait
Portable Borderlands Is the Dream
Portable gaming has become increasingly prevalent since the original Nintendo Switch essentially renewed interest in the idea by becoming one of the most successful consoles ever made. In its earlier years, Nintendo was known for portable consoles like the Game Boy, DS, and their many variants. However, portable gaming eventually took a backseat to other consoles that Xbox and PlayStation were putting out, simply due to how much more power those machines offered than anything Nintendo was putting out. Then the Nintendo Switch came along and, while it still fell behind in power, it offered an innovative hybrid design, strong first-party game lineup, and an appealing family-friendly image.
Now, the Switch 2 has arrived with power that actually puts it closer to the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, along with maintaining what made the original so successful. This is ultimately why playing Borderlands 4 on the Switch 2 might be a dream, as it could end up offering competitive performance in the console market, in addition to letting players loot and shoot on the go. What might have been a major downgrade if it were ported to the original Switch is now taking more advantage of the Switch 2's improvements, and that could seal the deal for owners and those who plan to play Borderlands 4.
Performance and Timing Create a Rift
However, regardless of how appealing it might be to play Borderlands 4 on the Switch 2, the ultimate catch is that those who wish to will have to wait a few more weeks after the game lands on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Specifically, Borderlands 4 launches first on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 12, 2025, but Switch 2 players can port the exact same version, complete with cross‑play and four‑player co‑op, about three weeks later on October 3, 2025.
To some, that might not seem like too much of a wait, but performance and timing create quite a rift here. Despite the Switch 2's ability to handle Borderlands 4 better than its predecessor, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S will still offer better performance in the long run. As such, those who own the Switch 2 and either the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or a gaming PC might prefer to get started on day one, especially given they would be able to do so with better visuals, higher frame rates, and faster load times. At the same time, this only applies to those who own multiple consoles or gaming platforms, the Switch 2 included. Regardless, Borderlands 4 on the Switch 2 is poised to be a great time.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
