Borderlands 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 Delayed Indefinitely, Citing Need for “More Polish”

In a disappointing but unsurprising turn of events for fans of the looter-shooter franchise, developer Gearbox Software has announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 will be delayed indefinitely. Originally scheduled for an October 3, 2025 release, the port has been pushed back with no new release date given. The announcement came from the official Borderlands social media account, where the studio stated that the decision was not taken lightly but that the game “needs additional development time” to ensure a quality experience for players on the new console. This news, while frustrating for those who pre-ordered the game, highlights a growing trend of major AAA releases struggling to meet launch windows on new hardware.

The core game has been available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S since September 12, 2025, and has been met with mixed reviews from the community, a factor that likely played a role in the decision to delay the Switch 2 version. Many players have reported technical issues, including performance dips, crashes, and various bugs. Gearbox has been working on multiple patches to address these issues, and it’s clear that the studio has decided to prioritize a more polished, stable launch on the Switch 2 rather than releasing a version that mirrors the technical problems of its PC and console counterparts. This is a crucial, high-stakes decision for the company, as a poor launch could severely impact the game’s long-term success on the new platform.

Refunds and Cross-Save Concerns

The delay has several key implications for players who have already pre-ordered the game. According to Nintendo’s policy, all digital pre-orders for Borderlands 4 on the eShop will be automatically canceled, with refunds being processed. Players who pre-ordered a physical copy will have to go through their individual retailers for a refund. This process, while standard for the industry, is an added inconvenience for fans who were eagerly awaiting the game’s release and is a major topic of discussion within the gaming community.

A key reason cited for the delay, in addition to general polish, is the studio’s desire to properly implement cross-save support. This feature, which would allow players to transfer their progress between the Switch 2 and other platforms, is a major selling point for a portable version of a looter-shooter. By taking the time to ensure this functionality is seamless, Gearbox is signaling its commitment to a long-term, multi-platform ecosystem for the game. For a title like Borderlands 4, which relies heavily on grinding and character progression, a stable cross-save feature is a must-have for players who want to take their characters on the go without starting over. The delay, while frustrating, shows that the developer is prioritizing a key user experience feature over a rushed launch.

The Broader Implications for the Nintendo Switch 2

The indefinite delay of a major third-party title like Borderlands 4 is a significant event for the Nintendo Switch 2, which launched in June with a strong lineup of first-party and third-party games. While the console’s launch has been incredibly successful, the delay of this key title could be a sign of the technical challenges that come with porting massive, graphics-intensive games to a portable platform. Gearbox has been transparent about the technical hurdles, with the game’s creative director previously stating that the Switch 2 version would run at 30 frames per second “with some dips,” and that even a physical copy would require a massive download. The decision to delay suggests that these initial hurdles were even more significant than anticipated.

This is a major topic for debate among industry analysts and gamers alike, with many wondering if the Switch 2’s hardware is struggling to keep up with the demands of modern AAA titles. While games like Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition have successfully launched on the console, it is clear that optimizing these titles requires significant time and resources. The indefinite delay of Borderlands 4 serves as a cautionary tale for other developers planning to bring their games to the new platform. It shows that a successful port is not a given and that a commitment to a smooth, polished experience is a necessary step, even if it means missing a key release window. For now, Switch 2 owners will have to wait for a new date, but the developer has promised to share an updated timeline once they have a firmer grasp on the game’s progress. This story will continue to be a source of highly competitive high-CPC keywords as the industry watches closely to see when, and if, the game will make its debut.