Borderlands 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2 has its fair share of both ups and downs, with the balance between the two ultimately coming down to perspective. On the one hand, Borderlands 4's Switch 2 version is likely to fall short of PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 in terms of raw power, performance, and visuals, putting the rest of the market at an advantage there. On the other hand, there's nothing quite like the portability and convenience offered by the Switch 2 — especially considering its improvements over the original Switch — and some may consider that enough to justify its other shortcomings altogether.
If that weren't enough, Borderlands 4's Switch 2 release date of October 3, 2025 (compared to the game's initial September 12 release date on every other platform) also puts it as a big disadvantage, as some players might wish to play it sooner rather than later, and they'll ultimately benefit by getting a better-looking, better-performing game anyway. If Borderlands 4 wanted to increase its viability on the Switch 2, though, and make it more worth the purchase in the long run, it may only need to add one missing feature that has yet to be confirmed or denied.
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's Value on Switch 2 Hinges on One Missing Feature
Cross-Save Would Make Switch 2 the Ideal Travel Companion
If there's one thing to say about Borderlands 4 coming to the Switch 2 in October, it's that those who own the console and none of the game's other platforms will be able to join in on the excitement of its release, albeit a few weeks later than most. This marks a major shift in Nintendo's third-party support, as previous Borderlands games, though they did eventually arrive on the Nintendo Switch, didn't actually arrive until years after their initial launches. Borderlands 4 is a different story in that regard, making the Switch 2 one of its first homes within weeks of its launch.
Again, that's great news for those who only own a Switch 2, but for those who own a PC, Xbox Series X|S, and/or a PS5, as well as a Switch 2, it's difficult to justify throwing money down for a second copy of the game if they aren't able to access their save across platforms. In other words, a feature like cross-save would make the Switch 2 the ideal travel companion, giving those who may play Borderlands 4 on PC, for example, a chance to play on the Switch 2 as well and pick up right where they left off. Without cross-save implemented, Borderlands 4 on the Switch 2 has less value to those who prefer the power, performance, and punctuality of the game on other platforms.
Gearbox's SHiFT System Already Holds the Key
Believe it or not, even though it has never featured cross-save in the traditional sense, Borderlands' SHiFT system already holds the key to the feature. SHiFT, the same account system that powers cross-play and reward redemption in past Borderlands titles, could theoretically be used to sync character progression across platforms. Gearbox has already confirmed that Borderlands 4 supports full cross-play, so it's clearly designed for a cross-platform ecosystem. If SHiFT can power synchronized play, it should be able to carry a save file too.
At the end of the day, Borderlands 4's Switch 2 version doesn’t need to match the other platforms in power to be worth playing. Rather, it just needs to meet players where they already are. While there will likely be plenty of Borderlands 4 players who exclusively own a Switch 2 or simply would rather play it on there than any other platforms, there is also likely an audience of players who want the chance to play it at home and on the go. And if SHiFT can already connect players across platforms, then it should be able to carry their progress too.
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
WHERE TO PLAY
