Gearbox Software boss Randy Pitchford has revealed more details about the Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4, stating that the game will largely run at 30 FPS and will support the Joy-Con 2's unique mouse mode. Scheduled to release for Nintendo's new console in October, Borderlands 4 promises to maintain its signature gameplay style while introducing new Vault Hunters and updating its humor.
Officially announced in August 2024, Borderlands 4 will be the fifth mainline entry in the franchise, and promises to be the largest title in the series to date. While it will release for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on September 12, the Switch 2 release has been staggered until October 3, with pre-orders going live last month. Following comments from Pitchford, many fans were initially concerned that the title would cost $80, but this proved to be false, with Borderlands 4 boasting a $70 price tag. Gamers thinking about picking up the looter shooter for the Switch 2 may want to study the specs first, and some new details may serve to sway prospective buyers one way or the other.
After Burning So Brightly, It May Be Time for Borderlands 4 to Cool Its Jets
As the release of Borderlands 4 approaches, it's time for the Gearbox to slow down and consider how a less is more approach can help sustain the hype.
In a Twitter thread, Pitchford revealed several new interesting tidbits regarding Borderlands 4's performance on the Switch 2. The Gearbox boss stated that, in order not to cut any content for the Nintendo version and to support cross-play, the game will run "mostly around 30 FPS, with dips in some intense moments." Unfortunately, this means that performance will take a hit while players are in particularly intense battles or when hosting a multiplayer game while in handheld mode. While details remain scarce, Pitchford also confirmed that Borderlands 4 will support the new mouse mode capabilities included with the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Anyone thinking of purchasing the looter shooter for the Switch 2 may also want to free up some space, as a download will be required even for those snagging a physical copy.
Borderlands 4 Will Run at 30 FPS on the Nintendo Switch 2, Will Support the Joy-Con 2’s Mouse Mode
For those buying the newest Gearbox title on PC, Borderlands 4 has some hefty requirements, with gamers needing an Intel Core i7-12700 or an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X when it comes to CPU and a graphics card with at least 12GB of VRAM, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 or the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. Borderlands 4 comes complete with ray tracing capabilities and was built in Unreal Engine 5, placing it on the more graphically demanding side.
Earlier this month, Pitchford took to social media to share Borderland 4's complete map, along with the location of 200 of the game's hidden collectibles. According to the developers, the title won't feature any loading screens as players explore its massive world, and like past titles, co-op play will be supported.
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
