“I don’t want to count The Elder Scrolls 6,” he said, laughing. “Starfield was long. But other than that, they’re usually pretty short.” He went on to note that Starfield’s development time was anchored by the fact that it is a brand new IP rather than being a sequel to another long-running franchise. Much of the development time also happened to overlap with global pandemic-induced lockdowns, as well as Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda being completed.

At this point, thanks to the fact that games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and the Fallout series continue to be quite successful, Bethesda as a whole is in a good position. Interestingly, this has also brought on the added challenge for the studio since it now also has to make sure that players for these older titles continue to be engaged. “We also, again, have that benefit of having so many millions of people playing our other games that we’re actually trying to figure out how to serve those other audiences while we make a new one,” he said.

This means that Bethesda has had to grow out its development teams. “We sort of top out with partners, four or 500 people. That’s kind of like our peak,” said Howard. “We’re seeing that growth is slow for us, to be honest, compared to, I think maybe the rest of the industry, where we still want to be who we are and making a game.”

When it comes to making a game, Howard describes the process as revolving around long pre-production periods where the “a good kernel of a game” is fleshed out before development then continues. “We really want to get a good kernel of a game that we’re ready to then put more people on and start moving faster,” he explained. He also noted that the industry at large was struggling with the idea of when more money should start being invested in a project.

“It’s something a lot of people are struggling with,” he said. “Which is really, how much time and money can you invest… just pick a game that you have in mind. The industry is in a difficult spot, where can you, you know, what’s your confidence in that making any money, right? Because the expenses are high. So I think every studio’s dealing with that in their own way.”

In the same roundtable interview, Howard had also confirmed that the majority of developers at Bethesda Game Studios are working on The Elder Scrolls 6. “The majority of this building is working on The Elder Scrolls 6,” he said. “It’s amazing for us to come back to it. I gotta be honest, right? Being in that world after not developing in Elder Scrolls – it’s so different than Starfield, so different than Fallout – it feels great for us.”

According to the patch notes, which you can check out below, among the key features coming to the Switch 2 release of Skyrim is a 60 Hz mode in the Display settings, allowing players to switch between “Prioritize Visuals” and “Prioritize Performance.” Picking the former also locks the game at 30 Hz to ensure smooth gameplay. These locked frame rate options will go a long way in ensuring the frame pacing is on track, which should, in turn, reduce input lag.

Several other improvements have also been made, including fixes for frame rate drops that could happen when the player is at the Talking Stone Camp, the Drelas’ Cottage location, at Secunda’s Kiss, or at Kynesgrove, as well as several crash fixes.

In the meantime, Bethesda has also confirmed that Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition will be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on February 24th.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Nintendo Switch 2 update 1.2 patch notes:

Features:

• Added a 60 Hz mode under Display settings that allows players to toggle between “Prioritize Visuals” or “Prioritize Performance”.
• In addition, frame rate has been locked at 30 Hz in “Prioritize Visuals” mode for smoother gameplay.

Crashes and Performance Fixes:

• Fixed a crash that occurred when reading “The Crimson Dirks Vol. 4” book for the “Tilted Scales” quest in German.
• Fixed an audio-related crash.
• Fixed a crash, infinite load, and game freeze that sometimes occurred when rapidly selecting “Load” multiple times in the pause menu.
• Fixed a crash that occurred when the “Transmute Ore” spell was repeatedly cast outside of the Haltered Stream Camp.

Improved FPS performance drops that occurred in the following locations:

• during the Hide and Seek quest in Kynesgrove
• during combat at Secunda’s Kiss
• when discovering the “Drelas’ Cottage” location
• when engaged in combat with a giant at the Talking Stone Camp.

Visuals Issues Fixes:

• Viewing water planes from a distance or within menus caused them to shift up and down.
• Distant aspen trees appeared with a blue tint.
• Transitioning out of caves caused an outline of the entrance to linger during the fade-to-black loading screen.

User Interface Fixes:

• Switching between mouse and controller mode while in dialogue or the Help menu caused different options to be highlighted.
• Switching between mouse and controller mode while in help menus or user hints did not dynamically update callout prompts.
• The “Ready/Sheathe” option was missing from the Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls menu.
• The “Delete” prompt remained greyed out within the Load menu when swapping between mouse and controller mode.
• Deleting a save in the Save/Load menus resets the highlighted selection to the top of the menu list.
• While in mouse mode, the cursor remained stuck within a smaller section of the screen when changing between docked/undocked modes or interfacing with GameChat.

Controls Fixes:

• The “Eagle Eye” Archery perk remained active after switching between mouse and controller mode.
• Holding down the Right Joystick while reassigning a button caused that button to disappear from the Controls list.
• The Joy-Con 2 controllers provided haptic feedback while in mouse mode.
• Buttons became unresponsive when controls were remapped while moving the Joy-Con 2 controllers in mouse mode.
• Rotating the map in mouse mode was slower and less smooth than in controller mode.

Audio Issue Fix:

• Scrolling SFX continued to play while holding up or down on the Left Joystick or buttons at the top or bottom of the Save/Load menus.

Localization Fixes:

• “Amiibo” appeared as plural in Spanish.

Miscellaneous:

• Added new translations for the features listed above and UI updates.
• Updates were made to the game credits.

“I had in my mind that TES6 was going to be like The Empire Strikes Back,” he said, going on to explain that the elven supremacists among the Thalmor would eventually be built up as the main antagonists for The Elder Scrolls 7. This build up would largely take place throughout The Elder Scrolls 6, and would involve the group’s ambition to gain control over the entirety of Tamriel.

He acknowledged that this kind of ending wouldn’t really be allowed in a Bethesda game, referring to a cliffhanger ending as being “completely unfeasible.” This is especially true for a studio that has incredibly-long development cycles. “That’s not a good way to end a game and say, yeah, we’ll see you in 10, 15 years,” he said.

Further in the interview, Kuhlmann also spoke about how the culture of game development at Bethesda had changed since the release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. He noted that, while the senior developers were working on the game directly back then, over time, these senior developers would start taking more managerial roles. Kuhlmann described it as feeling “more bureaucratic,” going on to say that: “The expectation was… your job can’t be also making content if you’re actually managing that scope of the project.”

His eventual departure was a combination of this culture shift, along with the fact that he wouldn’t get to work as the lead designer on The Elder Scrolls 6. Director Todd Howard had previously promised Kuhlmann that after wrapping work on Fallout 4, the studio would then start the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. However, it would instead follow up on Fallout 4 with multiplayer title Fallout 76, which would then be succeeded by Starfield.

“I was obviously one of the old-timers there and had a lot of experience. Bruce [Nesmith] and I had been the co-leads on Skyrim. I think most people would call it a successful project, so I thought that it wasn’t unreasonable for me to think that I could be a successful lead on TES6. It wasn’t just my expectation—I had been told that that was going to happen,” he said. “And they made the decision, no, you’re not going to be the lead.”

While no new details about The Elder Scrolls 6 have been revealed since the game’s original announcement back in 2018, Howard had said back in December that development on the title has been “progressing really well.” Design director Emil Pagliarulo acknowledged the “time pressure” that the studio has been facing from its fans, and has asked these fans to be patient.

When asked how Bethesda could potentially freshen the Fallout series up by changing its formula, Carter said that it might just be time for the company to sell the IP to another developer. “With the greatest respect to Bethesda, I feel like they’ve probably gone one game too far, if I’m honest,” he said.

“I feel like it’s time to go off into the sunset and look at selling off your IP because people like the franchise, I’m just honestly not sure it’s in the right hands, and it really hurts me to say that because I love Bethesda.”

Chief among his complaints about Bethesda’s run at the Fallout franchise has been the downward trend of the quality of its writing. He similarly also brings up The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, noting that he doesn’t think it’s the “best game of all time like some people,” and that instead “it’s a very, very good game.”

“I reckon if they could inject in the quality of some good writers, then the next Elder Scrolls game will be great and the next Fallout game will be great but they need better writers, honestly,” said Carter. “Everything has its own pros and cons but the one thing we agreed on with Fallout: London is that we wanted to make it more dark and gritty because that’s what Fallout actually is, and I think Bethesda are taking it in the opposite direction.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Carter also spoke about the Fallout franchise revisiting the settings and atmosphere of the original Fallout. Noting that, while he enjoyed Fallout 4, he prefers the approach that the 1997 classic took to its setting and tone to the more slapstick style that Bethesda has taken since Fallout 4.

“I would love to see the Fallout 1 setting again. I think it would be great because that’s where it all started and to really go back to it would be something,” he said. “I actually like the Fallout TV show. I know a lot of people were saying that the second season isn’t so good or whatever but I feel it’s definitely got a Fallout 4 vibe to it, which is fine.”

“I like Fallout 4 but I would like more of a Fallout 1 vibe and I feel like if you want a Fallout 1 vibe in terms of a show, you should probably watch Silo. I think Silo is a good shout for that. It’s a bit darker and grim,” Carter continued, bringing up comparisons between Prime Video’s adaptation and Apple TV+’s Silo.

“I prefer Fallout to have that sort of tone rather than going all slapstick. It’s a bit more humorous but the humour in the first series was dark humour. The slapstick stuff needs to stop because that’s not what Fallout is.”

Dead Space

If there’s one game that hardly needs a remake today, it’s the original Dead Space. Don’t get me wrong, the remake is awesome, but the 2008 original still holds up remarkably well. The graphics were at the top of the industry and still look amazing today. But it’s the way the atmosphere was crafted that particularly leaves a lasting impression on us. The diagetic HUD is partly to thank for the top-notch immersion, but the Necromorph designs are especially timeless in their ability to send a chill down gamers’ spines. Dead Space also doesn’t have an ounce of jank in its DNA; it feels remarkably precise and intuitive to play today. We’re still seeing tons of triple-A games use that iconic over the shoulder perspective, and we have the original Dead Space to thank for convincing us that it’s awesome.

Crysis

Back in 2007, Crysis was the rosetta stone benchmark for PC performance. Today, maybe not as much, but it can still be confused as a modern game. It was one of the games boasting advanced volumetric lighting and crazy far draw distances, and the lush jungle environments made for an attractive display piece to show off that tech. Crysis was also pretty dang modern with its gameplay systems. The campaign let players freely explore the tropical sandbox with its wide-linear design. Like the studio’s Far Cry titles, a smorgasbord of vehicles were up for the taking to accomplish missions in varying ways. If the day/cycle or gunplay didn’t impress, the visuals sure did, and continue to.

Red Dead Redemption

The year was 2010, gamers were absolutely starving for an immersive wild west game, and Rockstar was the one studio poised to do it. They already released Red Dead Revolver in 2004 and had the technology to finally meet the setting’s great potential. And that they did. Red Dead Redemption’s sprawling open world is filled with fun activities and more interesting personalities than you can fit in a stage coach. It’s Rockstar’s best pre-GTA 5 game to return to have good time without much friction. And it’s highly recommended players go back to this gem to understand Red Dead Redemption 2, as it functions as a sequel to that game. It’s not hard to fall in love with it today given the tight gunplay and solid graphics.

Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3 is the second pre-GTA 5 Rockstar game that’s easiest to return to today. The big selling point is the bullet-time mechanic from previous entries being turned up a couple notches. There’s not a single game that I can think of that does slow-mo shootouts as well as Max Payne 3. The modern third-person shooting feels great to control, and carefully lining up slow-mo dive shots is a joy. Being the Rockstar game that it is, cinematics are top-notch as well, with zero loading between cutscenes and player-controlled action sections. A port to today’s platforms would be appreciated, but the graphics actually hold up just fine without need for an upgrade.

Dying Light 1

Dying Light achieved something few games outside Assassin’s Creed were willing to do at the time, and that’s a realistic and smooth parkour system. What’s more, you can parkour across pretty much any building or object in the large open world. Besides the advanced parkouring, the game also boasted dynamic day/night lighting that still impresses today. Dying Light is the newest game on this list, but the dark atmosphere and gritty story have an edge over its sequel, Dying Light 2, making it well worth playing 10 years later, especially to see Kyle Crane’s earlier adventures.

Heavy Rain

David Cage games were always ahead of their time, but it wasn’t until Heavy Rain until they started being legitimately fun to play on top of that. You can probably thank Heavy Rain for PlayStation’s recent narrative emphasis. The game was largely an interactive choose your own adventure movie. But unlike TellTale’s string of narrative games, Heavy Rain had truly spectacular graphics that many felt were lifelike at the time. The game still holds up today, partly thanks to its simple gameplay mechanics (it’s hard to make quick time events janky) and high budget graphics and acting talent.

Ninja Gaiden Black

And then there’s rarities like Ninja Gaiden Black which boast deeply technical gameplay that still feels smooth today. For being a 20 year old game, it sure does feel fluid and intuitive to pull off combos, thanks in part to great optimization. It also holds up to current trends in game. Ninja Gaiden Black was notorious for being one of the most difficult games at the time, but it fits well beside contemporary titles like Elden Ring and Hollow Knight Silksong with its difficulty. With distinct art direction and stylishly detailed character models, it’s a game that’s still easy on the eyes.

Borderlands 2

Many were rubbing their eyes when Borderlands 4 was revealed. Accusations were thrown around that it looked like the previous Borderlands games, and they’re not too far off. Borderlands has maintained a bold cartoonish look since the first game, but it’s really the second entry that polished and solidified its identity. Just like the graphics, the gunplay holds up remarkably well today. And with memorable villains like Handsome Jack, the story remains the best the series has ever seen.

DriveClub

If you can get a hold of a rare copy of DriveClub, do yourself a favor and grab it. The PS4 exclusive was notable for its photo-realistic rain effects and grounded yet approachable driving mechanics. I regularly see racing fans comparing modern driving games’ weather effects to DriveClub. That’s how dang good the game looked. While the online component can’t be experienced today, the single player career has plenty of races and challenges to warrant the price of admission. And with a simcade handling model that’s not too intimidating to learn yet difficult to master, you’ll find yourself glued to the rainsoaked windshield for many hours even amid today’s racers.

Far Cry 2

I know, I know, it’s easy to overlook Far Cry 2 now that we have over six entries, but it does some pretty unique things. A number of playable and non-playable mercenaries can be rescued and hired to go on missions with you. These teammates can be permanently killed if they’re not rescued or healed in time, making it easy to feel attached to them. Other than the buddy system, the game just looks great, featuring a robust African open world environment. If you’re a fan of the Far Cry series, the second game is a must-play that holds up perfectly fine today.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Ever since Skyrim’s release in 2011, players have memed it to death. One of the most popular memes, that being its constant string of re-releases, still finds itself with legs even now. It’s the game that refuses to die, whether it be because of its wealth of quests, role-playing possibilities, or extensive mod support. Even without any mods, it still looks and plays fantastic. Sure, you’ll encounter a handful of backwards-flying dragons, but even the bugs are worth experiencing in this beloved open-world RPG.

Batman Arkham City

2011 was a good time for games in general. Arkham City also came out in that year and it represents Rocksteady’s zenith. Arkham City is their most beloved game for a reason; it’s got the tightest example of their signature freeflow combat, some of the most intricate and addictive world design, and some amazing characterization. A lot of late PS3/Xbox 360 games still manage to look good today, but Arkham City looks and plays downright flawless.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Speaking of timeless PS3 titles, Uncharted 2 just refuses to feel outdated. The rollercoaster pacing and attention to detail continues to be emulated and studied today. Even detractors of Uncharted 1’s gameplay love the way Uncharted 2 improved aiming and enemy encounter design. If you want to see what makes the Uncharted series so special, check out Uncharted 2, it sets up the rest of the games wonderfully and plays like a modern-day adventure title.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

But if there’s any PS3 game that went above and beyond its contemporaries, it’s MGS 4. In true Kojima fashion, the storytelling is outfitted with a ridiculous amount of bells and whistles, perhaps even overstaying its time in the spotlight just a bit (looking at you hour-long cutscene). Motion capture was some of the most advanced for the time, and the voice talent gave Hollywood a run for their money. Many fans even say the gameplay is the best the series has ever had. It’s also the only game in the MGS series besides Peace Walker to feature the Psyche Gauge. Stealth was emphasized because killing spiked the gauge, making Snake more prone to shake while shooting. Now if only we’d finally get a remaster or port of MGS 4 so more players could experience it.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us has seen numerous remasters, a remake, and even a show, and for good reason. It represents Naughty Dog at their absolute peak. The Last of Us shocked just about everyone with its realistic graphics and mo-cap in 2013. And the brutal melee takedowns and hard-hitting story kept us hooked ever since. It’s hard to overstate just how good the original game plays all these years later, which is why all these remasters and remakes seem somewhat redundant to many fans. The original holds up so well today, and with a story so iconic and gripping, we won’t see the last of The Last of Us anytime soon.

Not only that, but it’s “at least” twice the size of the playable open world of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Of course, size isn’t everything, as Pearl Abyss has been working to make Pywel incredibly interactive. There’s still plenty that the development team hasn’t showcased, from the crafting system to houses. Even things it has showcased, like the Sky Isles and their puzzles, are still shrouded in mystery.

Interestingly, Powers noted that while players could indeed fight dragons (that’s plural), it’s unconfirmed whether you can slay them. Does the giant mecha dragon Golden Star count?

Time will certainly tell, but with Crimson Desert launching on March 19th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, it’s not much longer until we can explore Pywel first-hand. Head here for more details about the various mounts that players can use. It’s also worth adding that despite the presence of dozens and dozens of factions, none of them will affect the ending.

Before calculating the same through in-game walks and game files, however, he also posed the question to director Todd Howard, who assumed it was 111,111. But does The Elder Scrolls 6 have more? “More…most definitely more,” said Howard in response.

And while that may seem like the most insignificant detail, it already has fans fervently speculating about the new setting. Some assume it’s Hammerfell, a long-rumored location, noting that trees could encompass tropical jungles and swamps. Others believe it could be Valenwood, a southwestern province that the Bosmer call home.

Regardless of your thoughts on the matter, it will be some time before we get any confirmation. Despite its announcement in 2018, The Elder Scrolls 6 is “still a long way off,” though Howard later noted that it’s “progressing really well.” Design director Emil Pagliarulo also discussed fan expectations and how the team is “going to take our time” to make the game great.

Today, portables playing AAA games, Skyrim ports, and the Nintendo Switch are all commonplace, and so the true impact of that moment can often be lost on newer audiences. But Skyrim for the Switch helped legitimize both that burgeoning system at a time when it still wasn’t clear that there would be a sustainable market for it, and for the resurgence of portables as a whole. That the port was as impeccable as it was – for years it was among the most recommended versions of the game – only served to reinforce that further.

"Additionally, this version also includes mouse control support for the Switch 2’s Joycon controllers."

In 2025, Skyrim on Switch 2 isn’t really anything special. It’s simply Skyrim, now with a native Switch 2 version. Theoretically this should be an easy win. At this point Skyrim is a several generations old game, the hardware in question is extremely capable, and the version Bethesda has chosen to port – the Anniversary Edition – is a great one. It comes along with the original base game, all its DLC and expansions, multiple quality of life improvements added to the game adapted from player created mods, multiple quests similarly added from the Creation Club. New additions like fishing and Survival Mode (which is honestly my favourite way to play Skyrim now), along with the Nintendo exclusive extras from the original Switch version, most notably the Zelda-themed gear, help round out the experience..

Additionally, this version also includes mouse control support for the Switch 2’s Joycon controllers. The game also looks and sounds great, with the visuals here being basically on par with the visuals for Anniversary Edition on any of the other platforms.

The icing on the cake is that Bethesda has made the upgrade available for free for existing owners of Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch. Given all of that, it’s honestly hard to imagine how one could possibly take issue with this package, but unfortunately, there are some critical missteps and omissions here that hold the package back.

"Bethesda is leveraging some of the Switch 2’s unique capabilities here — DLSS is being used to some degree; Bethesda only specifies its usage as being for anti aliasing, though I assume they’re also upscaling the resolution a little bit"

Let’s start with the most obvious – this game still runs at 30fps on the Switch 2. This is a title that ran at 30fps on the Xbox 360 or the original Switch, both vastly inferior bits of hardware to the Switch 2; there should be nothing stopping a 60FPS implementation here, even only as an option. There is none. Skyrim, as I mentioned, was 30fps to begin with (unless you played on a PS3, in which case 30fps was the highest you could hope for if you were exceedingly lucky), so this isn’t a downgrade, but it absolutely does feel baffling that Bethesda missed out on such an obvious and immediate upgrade here. Again, at the very least you’d expect it as an option or a toggle, but nope.

The problem with the 30fps is exacerbated by the baffling, and I mean BAFFLING, degree of input lag the game has. In docked mode it can be almost comically obvious, with actions on screen taking a perceptible amount of time to execute after you press a button. It does feel slightly better in portable mode, but in either case, it’s unclear why or more importantly how, something like this passed QA and was allowed to release as is. Skyrim isn’t Elden Ring, so the input lag, while noticeable and bothersome, isn’t really disruptive in any sense; it does, however, make the game feel worse to play, particularly since the framerate is already 30fps to begin with.

Bethesda is leveraging some of the Switch 2’s unique capabilities here — DLSS is being used to some degree; Bethesda only specifies its usage as being for anti aliasing, though I assume they’re also upscaling the resolution a little bit. The aforementioned mouse controls are also implemented well, and it that’s a control scheme you enjoy playing with, you’re going to like it here too. Mercifully, given how much of a time investment the game can be, Bethesda have also allowed players to import their saves from the original Switch version of the game.

"I would definitely be a lot angrier at the missteps taken here if it weren’t for the fact that the upgrade is being offered for free for existing players."

All the peripheral considerations aside, the game itself is still excellent. Skyrim is one of the most beloved and influential games of the modern era, and that’s because its core design is so innately compelling. It’s so easy to pick it up and get lost in its dense, layered, sprawling fantasy world again, and find yourself in adventures of discovery and exploration and intrigue. The fact that the game itself remains fun to play means it is still easy to recommend – well, mostly. There are those peripheral caveats that can’t really be dismissed or handwaved after all.

I would definitely be a lot angrier at the missteps taken here if it weren’t for the fact that the upgrade is being offered for free for existing players; however, for anyone who is looking to jump in now, these omissions and fumbles are fair warnings for them to consider and bear in mind. Skyrim on the Switch 2 is conflicted – it’s Skyrim, and on Switch 2, which is great, but this isn’t a particularly great version, and there are some very obvious fixes Bethesda can make here. Hopefully in the months to come, they will be patching those in.

This game was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2.

And not just any version of Skyrim, no, the Skyrim Anniversary Edition – technically the fourth iteration of the game, not counting the VR version or Collector’s Edition. Over 14 years later, after the original launched for the Xbox 360, PC and PS3, and more than seven years after director Todd Howard said, straight up, “If you want us to stop releasing it, stop buying it.”

No doubt taking a page out of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered’s playbook, Bethesda shadow-dropped the Switch 2 port out of nowhere. For $60, you could get the base game, all of its expansions, “hundreds” of Creation Club items (which feature some actual decent mods), and Nintendo-exclusive Zelda content. Leaving aside the fact that $60 is an absurd price to pay for Skyrim in 2025, at least it’s a free upgrade for current Switch 1 owners.

Bethesda also promised some visual improvements, at least, as far as it wanted to on the Switch 2. Textures and character models look better, even if the differences are quite minor, and some players have reported a higher resolution in Handheld Mode (1080p, which is up from 720p). Loading times are also significantly faster, though you can decide whether 17 seconds to load a save is acceptable in this day and age. That’s all, seemingly good news, but, in typical Bethesda fashion, it’s the calm before the storm.

First off, it occupies 53 GB of space. Why, especially when it’s about 25 GB on PC? For further comparison, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition – a graphically superior title that many even doubted could run on the platform – is approximately 60.6 GB, which is only a bit more. It’s also only $10 extra for new players, but I digress.

The other big problem is that Skyrim Anniversary Edition runs at 30 frames per second on the Switch 2. Besides the fact that Bethesda touted “optimized performance,” it runs at the same frame rate as the Switch 1 version. This is the same performance as the Special Edition on PS4 and Xbox One – no word yet on whether there are dips on Switch 2 like those versions. But how Bethesda can’t get a 14-plus-year-old game running in 60 FPS on hardware that’s more than capable of the task is baffling. Further technical analysis also revealed that the resolution increase via DLSS in handheld mode is handled rather poorly and might as well not even matter.

So the price is absurd for new players, the installation size is downright heinous compared to other platforms, and the performance is disappointing given the game’s age. Don’t worry, though – there’s more.

Some users reported significant input delay with the Switch 2 version. One Reddit user noted that it was almost a “full second of delay after each input.” Other players noted the same in the comments, with one calling it “unplayable.” This is in both docked and handheld modes, and funnily enough, it matches issues with the Switch 1 version, where switching to third-person would cause the same issue.

What’s even stranger is the process of upgrading for physical edition owners on Switch 1. If you own the cartridge and downloaded the Anniversary Edition content, well, you won’t have the option to upgrade. One user revealed that you need to not download the latter. Instead, open the game after inserting the cart, then go to the store in-game, which should then prompt you to download the upgrade. So yes, Bethesda found a way to mess up the upgrade process. Oh, and it’s a separate title on the platform, so you’ll need to uninstall the Switch 1 version when done.

And if all that wasn’t enough, Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch 2 reportedly doesn’t support mods yet. What you see from the bundled Creation Club items is currently what you get.

I would be shocked at this point, but remember: This is the same Bethesda that dropped the Anniversary Edition of Fallout 4 and effectively broke the game on several platforms. And players, especially those who had curated their mod selections broken, had no choice but to download the update, even if they didn’t buy the absurdly priced Creations Bundle. Bethesda would release a patch that fixed many of the crashes, though it completely ignored the community begging for no more, especially when its Next-Gen Update caused all the same issues last year.

And while Skyrim is an older game that would require significant work to run properly on the Switch 2, why re-release the Anniversary Edition in the first place?

Not like Bethesda isn’t aware of how this constant, unabashed cash-grabbing comes across. Creative Director Matt Carofano, who served as lead artist on the original game, even admitted to Nintendo Life in a recent interview that it’s “a bit of a joke at this point how often we release Skyrim.” Nevertheless, he believes it’s “a great game. We want everyone to be able to play it in the best way possible.” Which is a fine sentiment – except where the company charges $60 for marginally improved visuals. Truly a highway robbery that would put Red Dead Redemption to shame.

At this point, you really have to wonder what’s going on at Bethesda. Starfield releasing as it did and having no major updates throughout this entire year till now, especially after a terrible paid expansion, is one thing (especially when significant improvements are seemingly on the way). The Elder Scrolls 6, announced in 2018 and still a long way off according to Todd Howard, is another. But messing up basic updates and ports for their older games? What possible justification could there be, aside from the fact that the studio doesn’t care enough about its fans, new and old, to ensure quality?

Why then should anyone believe it will put quality, first and foremost, for its upcoming releases? Will Starfield, when it eventually releases on PS5, also be a mess? Will its second expansion be any better than Shattered Space? At this point, what goodwill or benefit of the doubt has the company earned? Even those who peddled the “It just works” meme are tired of beating a dead horse.

But, and as much as I hate to admit, Howard is right. Tons of people still play Skyrim, even after all these years. Even on Steam, Skyrim Special Edition currently has the highest 24-hour player count among all its titles, beating Oblivion Remastered, Fallout 76, Fallout 4 and Starfield. Why shouldn’t Bethesda keep re-releasing the game when people will still buy it, which is a nice way of saying, “Why put in any effort when it’ll still sell?”

Despite my rambling, I’m honestly at a loss for words for this company. It’s gone beyond shock and disdain, creeping slowly towards apathy. Of course, you know what that means – now Bethesda needs to shadow-drop Starfield for the PS5 at The Game Awards and have that be a broken mess. Then the trifecta will be complete heading into 2026.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Unfortunately, despite promising improved performance, the frame rate is still stuck at 30 frames per second. While some users report native 1080p in Handheld Mode (up from 720p), the port seemingly suffers from extensive input lag. One Reddit user noted “nearly a full second of delay after each input.”

“I knew Bethesda were never great at optimisation, but this is just an absurdly poor effort. I’d honestly rather play the Switch 1 version, at least that one didn’t feel so sluggish…,” they added. Others also noted the same issues, which seemingly mirror the Anniversary Edition’s launch on Switch 1 back in 2017.

Given how recent the release is, Bethesda has yet to issue a statement or acknowledge the issue. Hopefully, it’s patched relatively quickly, but given the various problems with Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition on its current platforms, there might be a wait. It also doesn’t bode well for the title’s eventual release on Switch 2 next year, but as always, stay tuned for updates.