The Borderlands* series has long been synonymous with high-end visuals and demanding system requirements, a reputation that now extends to its upcoming sixth installment. While Borderlands 4 launched to critical acclaim on PC and consoles, its journey to the Nintendo Switch 2 has been anything but smooth. After months of delays and unmet performance expectations, 2K Interactive has officially shelved development of the handheld port, redirecting resources toward refining the game for platforms where it’s already available.
Announced in a recent earnings call, the decision marks a significant shift for Gearbox, the studio behind the franchise. The Switch 2 version had already faced an indefinite delay, with developers citing the need for additional optimization to meet their standards. Yet, despite repeated assurances that the game would run at 30 FPS with occasional dips—a far cry from the fluid 60+ FPS experiences common on modern consoles—the port never materialized. Now, with development paused, the future of Borderlands 4 on Nintendo’s next-gen handheld remains uncertain.
The move comes as Nintendo’s new console grapples with its own challenges. The Switch 2, though more powerful than its predecessor, has struggled to deliver consistent high-frame-rate experiences, particularly for demanding titles. While some games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows have managed 30 FPS with DLSS, others have fallen short, raising doubts about whether Borderlands 4—a game known for its fast-paced action—could ever achieve a satisfying performance on the platform.
Industry speculation suggests two primary factors behind the decision: performance limitations and market viability. The Switch 2’s higher hardware costs—including a 41% increase in DRAM prices and 8% rise in NAND costs—may have made optimization an uphill battle. Additionally, with Nintendo’s installed base still recovering from the original Switch’s lifecycle, the financial justification for porting a AAA title like Borderlands 4 could have become questionable.
What This Means for Fans
For Borderlands enthusiasts hoping to play the game on the go, the news is a setback. The Switch 2’s launch window—already delayed—now faces an even longer wait, if the port resumes at all. 2K’s statement emphasizes a commitment to post-launch content and optimizations for existing platforms, implying that resources will instead flow toward expanding Borderlands 4 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Meanwhile, Nintendo’s partnership with 2K remains strong, with upcoming titles like PGA Tour 2K25 and WWE 2K26 set to arrive on the Switch 2. Whether Borderlands 4* will ever return to development hinges on future hardware advancements—or a shift in Nintendo’s approach to handling demanding third-party ports.
