Borderlands 4 on Switch 2: A Pandora-Sized Delay (But Maybe a Good Thing?)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Borderlands 4 is delayed on the Switch 2 by a month, likely due to hardware requirements, but this delay could mean a more optimized experience and offers a good opportunity to revisit the earlier games in the series.
Right, so the latest Borderlands installment, Borderlands 4, is hitting shelves (and digital storefronts) on September 12th for the usual suspects – Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. But Switch 2 owners? You're gonna be twiddling your thumbs 'til October 3rd, according to Game Rant. A month-long delay? Bloody hell, what's going on?
Now, before you start chucking grenades at Gearbox Software, let's have a think. The reason for this hold-up, apparently, boils down to needing a serious rig to run the game smoothly. We're talking 8-core CPUs and GPUs with at least 8GB of video memory. (Yeah, I know, my old PC just whimpered a little too.) According to the original article, a hefty chunk of PC gamers don't even meet *that* minimum spec.
So, what's this mean for the Switch 2? Well, it probably means Gearbox are actually trying to get it running *well* on Nintendo's new console. Remember the mess that was some previous-gen ports? Nobody wants a repeat of *that* disaster.
Randy Pitchford, the head honcho at Gearbox, even called the Switch 2 the "perfect platform" for Borderlands 4 back in May. A bit of marketing fluff? Probably. But maybe, just maybe, they're aiming for something special here. High expectations, indeed!
Crossplay *is* confirmed across all platforms, including the Switch 2. Which, admittedly, could lead to some interesting balancing issues. Imagine fresh-faced Vault Hunters jumping into the fray a month late, only to get obliterated by veterans swimming in legendary loot. Hopefully, Borderlands 4 borrows the level-scaling magic from Borderlands 3, so everyone can contribute without getting completely stomped.
But here's the kicker – and the silver lining. That extra month gives you the perfect excuse to dive (or re-dive) into the older Borderlands games. Nearly every one of 'em is available on the Switch and they will probably get some performance boost on the 2nd iteration. Consider it… homework. Gear up, learn the lore, and maybe discover that perfect build before the hordes of Pandora descend on your Switch 2. It might just be the best thing that could happen to those of us late to the party. Time to get that Vault Hunter up to snuff!
So, yeah, the delay stings. But if it means a smoother, better optimized Borderlands 4 on the Switch 2? I reckon it's a wait worth enduring. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some looting to do. (And maybe some PC upgrades to ponder...) This article was inspired by and uses facts reported by Game Rant.
Tags: Borderlands 4, Switch 2, Release Date, Gearbox Software, Looter Shooter
Original article: Game Rant