Year after year, we are treated to a re-release of the modern RPG classic Skyrim from Bethesda. The new version has launched on the Nintendo Switch 2 and has already drawn the ire of fans shortly after its release.
What kind of version is this? It has become somewhat of a running gag: Skyrim has been released in different editions on almost every platform since 2011. Bethesda itself has been parodying this for some time, as you can see in a video for the “Very Special Edition” on YouTube.
Now, the version for Switch 2 has been surprisingly released, and immediately the eyes of fans have turned to the technical performance of the game on Nintendo’s new console. Skyrim is said to come with several improvements compared to Switch 1. Among other things, the resolution, DLSS anti-aliasing, load times, and overall performance are reported to be improved (via gamepro.de). The new mouse controls are also part of the current version.
However, initial reports on Reddit do not bode well; on the contrary: According to some users, the technical state is even worse than on the previous console, Switch 1.
Here you can see the self-ironic trailer for the version for Switch 2, including Skyrim Grandma:
Input lags and bugs make Skyrim nearly unplayable
What are users reporting? The version for Switch 2 was supposed to provide a technical upgrade compared to Switch 1. After all, the new console boasts more power in terms of performance – to find out what exactly is inside, check out the overview on MeinMMO.
Users across the internet have shared their experiences. For instance, FF_Gilgamesh1 reports in his post on Reddit about worse performance than on Switch 1:
“I’m playing it right now, and wow, damn, this thing runs like a wet sack, it’s really impressive. Sure, the Switch 1 version had 30 FPS, but at least it was playable. Skyrim [for] Switch 2 feels like a much more tedious version with 30 FPS. Do we even know if there was an upgrade, or did they just slap on It’s better on the packaging and shipped it?!”
User Dr_Moustachio also complains in his Reddit post about 30 frames per second and a graphics that have only marginally improved. However, there is another problem:
“After every input, there’s almost a whole second of delay. I knew that Bethesda has never been particularly good with optimization, but this is just absurdly bad. Honestly, I would rather play the Switch 1 version, it at least didn’t feel so sluggish.”
Other users also report about the aforementioned input lag and find that Skyrim on Switch 2 becomes “unplayable” as a result. User McWhitey3 recalls on Reddit the release of the version for Switch 1: “It was in a terrible state until they [Bethesda] released a patch about a week later.”
In the discussion, the question repeatedly arises as to why the developers cannot just let the fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series rest. After all, there are plenty of ways to play it.
User m4ng3lo summarizes his thoughts on Reddit as follows: “I think Skyrim’s time is over when it comes to porting to new systems. I can’t even imagine what kind of patchwork mess is under the hood to ensure constant compatibility.”
King_Treegar on Reddit sees the problem more with the developers, who seem to not know how to handle the Switch 2: “It is absolutely powerful enough to run Skyrim just like the Xbox Series consoles or PS5.”
The future will show whether Bethesda will provide improvements for this version. For owners of the Special Edition on Switch 1, the new version is free of charge; those who only own the Standard Edition will pay €19.99. The title currently costs €59.99 new. Have you already tested the new version? Please feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments. Fans of the franchise recently had reason for hope: The organizer of the Game Awards posted a few coordinates, and suddenly Elder Scrolls 6 doesn’t seem so unlikely anymore
