Gearbox has delayed the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 for what seems to be a considerable amount of time, in order to add more ‘polish’.
Borderlands 4 may have released earlier this month to largely positive reviews, but post-launch it’s faced some serious problems.
Despite a flurry of patches on PC, the looter shooter is still marred with performance issues across all formats. Earlier this month, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford started blaming people’s PC set-up for the problems, while going to increasingly manic lengths to deny there were any serious issues in the first place.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and developer Gearbox has indefinitely delayed the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4, which suggests it was an even bigger mess. On top of that, it was supposed to be out on October 3, so fans are only getting nine days warning.
‘We need to share that the release of Borderlands 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 is being delayed,’ a post from the Borderlands account on X reads. ‘We do not take this decision lightly, but are committed to ensuring we deliver the best possible experience to our fans, and the game needs additional development and polish time to do that.’
While Gearbox doesn’t specify what this ‘polish’ encompasses exactly, the studio hopes to ‘better align’ the release of the Switch 2 version with the addition of cross-save support across all platforms.
‘Our hope is to also better align this release with the addition of cross-saves, which we are working on and recognise is very important,’ they added. ‘We will update you all on the new release timing once we’ve fully adjusted our plans.’
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
In accordance with Nintendo’s policy, all digital pre-orders of Borderlands 4 on Switch 2 have been cancelled. For those who have pre-ordered the title, cancellations will be rolled out automatically starting from Friday September 26, or you can start the process manually here. Those who have pre-ordered a physical copy can claim a refund via the retailer.
Considering the poor performance across the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions of Borderlands 4, this delay isn’t exactly surprising – with the less powerful Switch 2 hardware under even more strain to run the game well.
While there have been patches to address issues on PC, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are yet to receive the same treatment. Borderlands 4 creative director Graeme Timmins has recently promised a console patch is on the way though, explaining how they take longer to roll out because they require certification from Microsoft and Sony.
‘Console testing and certification is more involved than pushing out PC builds,’ Timmins wrote on X. ‘It just takes longer with first parties making sure we’re sending out good quality patches. It’s coming and we’re doing everything we can to make it happen quickly.’
Pitchford, who has been keen to blame the technical issues on everything else apart from the game, hasn’t commented on the Switch 2 delay yet.
However, he has been flaunting his involvement in the upcoming magic movie sequel, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. If you wanted an extra reason to avoid that.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
It’s always disappointing to hear about delays, especially for highly anticipated games like Borderlands 4. Hopefully, the extra time will lead to an even better experience when it finally releases. Looking forward to more updates!
I completely agree; delays can be really frustrating for fans. It’s interesting to consider how the development challenges might affect the game’s overall quality and gameplay experience. Hopefully, this extra time will lead to an even more polished release!
development team might be using this extra time to enhance the game’s features and overall experience. A well-polished game can ultimately lead to a more satisfying release, even if the wait feels long. Hopefully, they will share more updates soon!
That’s a great point! Extra time often leads to improved gameplay mechanics and graphics. It could also allow for better integration of the game’s story with its co-op features, which is a major draw for the Borderlands series. Let’s hope the wait is worth it!
Absolutely, taking the time to refine the game can really enhance the overall player experience. Plus, it gives developers a chance to incorporate fan feedback, which could make a big difference in how the game is received upon release.
I totally agree! A polished game can make a significant difference. It’s interesting to consider how the delay might allow for better integration of features unique to the Switch 2, which could really elevate the gameplay.
the delay might actually benefit the overall experience. A well-developed game not only enhances gameplay but can also improve the story and character development. Hopefully, this extra time leads to a more immersive Borderlands experience!