Borderlands 4's Switch 2 Port Coming in October with Cross Play

Borderlands 4 coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in October (Image Credit: Nintendo/ Gearbox)

Borderlands 4 will release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, 2025, three weeks after launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The announcement came directly from Gearbox Entertainment founder Randy Pitchford, who addressed questions from fans on X (formerly Twitter), shedding light on the delayed Switch 2 launch, performance expectations, and several platform-specific features.

While fans were initially curious—and some even concerned—about the short delay for the Switch 2 version, Pitchford clarified that the team wanted to ensure quality without cutting content. The game will support full cross-play across all platforms, which required additional optimization time. He also confirmed that the game will run “mostly around 30 fps” on Nintendo’s next-gen console, with occasional dips during intense moments, especially when playing in handheld mode or hosting multiplayer sessions.

One key highlight for Switch 2 players is that a physical release is planned, but it will still require a download. This move likely reflects storage limitations on physical cartridges, with part of the game data needing to be downloaded after installation.

In a more technical but appreciated touch, Pitchford confirmed support for mouse mode—an option that allows players to use Joy-Con controllers in a configuration mimicking a mouse, potentially boosting aiming precision in a fast-paced looter-shooter like Borderlands 4.

Randy seemed excited about the development process. He called the console a “joy to work with” and emphasized that it was “perfect for Borderlands 4,” pointing to the handheld’s portability and built-in social features. These are particularly appealing for the game’s co-op-heavy gameplay, and according to Randy, 4-player local ad-hoc co-op using four separate consoles is indeed supported.

As for older titles, Pitchford confirmed that there are no immediate plans to patch Borderlands 3 for Switch 2. While he hinted at interest in making it happen eventually, he was clear that the team is “focused entirely on Borderlands 4 right now.”

The mainline release for Borderlands 4 arrives on September 12, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles, followed by the Switch 2 version on October 3, 2025.