The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim has landed on Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s not the triumphant return fans were hoping for. Despite Bethesda’s promises of improved load times, enhanced resolution, and better performance, the Skyrim Switch 2 port is being slammed by players for severe input lag, locked 30 FPS performance, and frustrating upgrade issues.
For a 14-year-old game that’s been ported to nearly every platform imaginable, the fact that it’s struggling this badly on modern hardware has fans understandably furious.
Skyrim Switch 2 Port: What Went Wrong?
Bethesda shadow-dropped Skyrim on Switch 2 on December 9, 2025, with some enticing promises:
- Improved load times
- Enhanced resolution
- Better overall performance compared to the original Switch version
- Full Anniversary Edition content included
- Free upgrade for existing Switch owners
On paper, this sounded like a no-brainer for fans who wanted a portable Skyrim experience with modern improvements. Unfortunately, reality didn’t match the marketing.
Major Issues Reported by Players
Within hours of launch, complaints flooded Reddit and social media:
1. Severe Input Lag
- Multiple users report input lag so bad it’s “beyond playability”
- Some players experiencing up to one full second of delay between button presses and on-screen actions
- Makes combat, menu navigation, and basic movement frustrating
2. Locked at 30 FPS
- Skyrim runs at a locked 30 frames per second on Switch 2
- While some games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake also run at 30 FPS on the system, Skyrim is over a decade old and should theoretically perform better
- Fans expected at least 60 FPS given the game’s age and the Switch 2’s capabilities
3. Difficult Upgrade Process
- Players trying to claim the free upgrade from Switch 1 to Switch 2 encountered major headaches
- One Reddit user described having to manually delete all existing Skyrim files before downloading the entire 53GB game again
- No seamless upgrade path—just a messy, time-consuming process
4. Poor Optimization Overall
- Multiple posts on the Nintendo Switch and Skyrim subreddits call the port “an absurdly poor effort”
- Some players say they’d rather play the original Switch version than deal with the Switch 2 port’s problems
Fan Reactions: “A Disaster” and “Beyond Playability”
The backlash has been swift and harsh.
What Players Are Saying
On the Nintendo Switch subreddit:
- “This port is a disaster. The input lag is beyond playability, and it only runs at 30 FPS. For a 14-year-old game, this is unacceptable.”
On Reddit:
- “An absurdly poor effort. The input lag and optimization are so bad, I’d rather play the Switch 1 version.”
On social media:
- “How does a game from 2011 run THIS poorly on 2025 hardware? Bethesda, come on.”
The common thread: Skyrim’s age makes these performance issues inexcusable. This isn’t a cutting-edge AAA game pushing hardware limits—it’s a 14-year-old RPG that’s been optimized for platforms ranging from the Xbox 360 to modern PCs.
Why Is a 14-Year-Old Game Struggling on Switch 2?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind: How is this even possible?
Bethesda Has Ported Skyrim Everywhere
Skyrim has been released on:
- PC (original, Special Edition, Anniversary Edition)
- Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch (and now Switch 2)
- VR platforms (PlayStation VR, PC VR)
- Even Amazon Alexa (as a voice-controlled game)
With over a decade of experience porting Skyrim to various platforms, Bethesda should have this process down to a science. So what went wrong this time?
Possible Explanations
1. Rushed Release
- Shadow-dropping the game suggests a quick turnaround, possibly cutting corners on optimization
2. Switch 2 Development Challenges
- The Switch 2 is still new hardware—developers might still be learning its quirks
- Optimization tools and SDKs may not be fully mature yet
3. Outsourced Port Work
- Bethesda may have handed the port to an external studio with less experience
- This has caused issues with past Skyrim ports as well
4. Legacy Code Problems
- Skyrim’s aging Creation Engine might not play nicely with Switch 2’s architecture without extensive rework
Whatever the reason, fans aren’t buying excuses—they just want a playable version of the game.
History Repeats: The Original Switch Port Also Had Issues
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Skyrim Switch port has launched with problems.
Original Switch Version (2017)
When Skyrim first launched on the original Nintendo Switch in 2017, players reported:
- Frame rate drops in busy areas
- Longer-than-expected load times
- Occasional crashes
However, Bethesda released patches in the weeks following launch that significantly improved performance. Many users in the current Reddit threads are hoping for a similar fix this time around.
Will Bethesda Fix the Switch 2 Port?
Given the precedent, it’s likely Bethesda will release patches to address the most glaring issues. The question is: How long will it take?
- Best case scenario: Patches arrive within a few weeks, fixing input lag and performance
- Worst case scenario: Bethesda deprioritizes the Switch 2 port, leaving it in a broken state for months
Microsoft’s commitment to Switch 2 support (Microsoft owns Bethesda) suggests fixes should be a priority, but there’s no official word yet on when patches might arrive.
Should You Buy (or Upgrade to) Skyrim on Switch 2?
Given the current state of the port, here’s our advice:
Skip It (For Now) If:
- You already own Skyrim on another platform: The PC, Xbox, or PlayStation versions all perform better
- You’re sensitive to input lag: The current delay makes combat and exploration frustrating
- You expected 60 FPS: 30 FPS is a dealbreaker for many players
Consider Waiting If:
- You want portable Skyrim: The Switch 2 is the only way to play Skyrim handheld (besides Steam Deck)
- You’re willing to wait for patches: If Bethesda fixes the issues, this could become the definitive portable version
- You got the free upgrade: If you already owned the Switch 1 version, at least you’re not paying again
Avoid Until Patched If:
- You’re a new player: Your first Skyrim experience shouldn’t be marred by technical issues
- Performance matters to you: Wait for optimization patches before diving in
What About Future Elder Scrolls Games on Switch 2?
Microsoft has emphasized its commitment to Switch 2 support, which theoretically bodes well for future Elder Scrolls releases on the platform. However, the Skyrim Switch 2 disaster raises concerns:
- If Bethesda can’t properly optimize a 14-year-old game, how will The Elder Scrolls 6 run on Switch 2?
- Will future ports get more attention, or is this a sign of ongoing issues?
For now, the future of Elder Scrolls on Switch 2 is uncertain. The Elder Scrolls 6 is still years away (Todd Howard says it’s “still a long way off”), so there’s time for Bethesda to figure out their Switch 2 optimization pipeline.
Final Thoughts: A Disappointing Launch for a Beloved Game
Skyrim is one of the most successful RPGs of all time, with over 60 million copies sold across all platforms. Its longevity is a testament to its quality and enduring appeal.
But the Switch 2 port is a reminder that even a legendary game can be undermined by poor technical execution. Fans deserve better than input lag, locked 30 FPS, and a frustrating upgrade process—especially for a game that’s been ported successfully to so many other platforms.
Hopefully, Bethesda releases patches soon to address the most critical issues. Until then, the Skyrim Switch 2 port remains a cautionary tale about rushed releases and the importance of proper optimization.
While you’re keeping up with gaming news, check out the latest on Minecraft’s Mounts of Mayhem update with new weapons and mounts, Fortnite’s leaked Bleach collaboration for Chapter 7, and our earlier coverage of Skyrim’s Switch 2 announcement.
Bottom line: The Skyrim Switch 2 port needs serious work before it’s worth recommending. Wait for patches, or stick with the PC/console versions for now.
