Bethesda has released The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 ($59.99). Existing owners of the Switch 1 version can upgrade for free (if they own the Anniversary Edition), or purchase the Anniversary Upgrade ($19.99) if you only own the older base game.
To access the Nintendo Switch 2 version if you already own Skyrim on Nintendo Switch:
- Install the Nintendo Switch version on the Nintendo Switch 2 by transferring the game, downloading it from the eShop or inserting the physical cartridge
- Launch the title. The eShop banner will appear on the title’s main menu.
- Press “Y” to access the content of the eShop
- Proceed through the prompts to purchase and/or download The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition through the eShop
The Switch 2 version will download as a new game, hitting just over 50 gb. The Anniversary Edition includes all three official expansion packs, plus hundreds of mods and custom content via the Creation Club.
The aging but beloved open world RPG has been enhanced for Switch 2 with better load times, expanded resolution and draw distance, improved performance, and new mouse controls with the Joy-Con 2.
Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, as fans quickly found out, the Switch 2 version remains capped at 30 frames per second. It’s more than ridiculous for a decade-plus old game on modern hardware. Especially as more recent AAA ports, such as Red Dead Redemption and Cyberpunk 2077, both run at a full 60fps without any problems.
Worse still, players have reported input lag with the mouse controls, discouraging players from using one of the new features of the Switch 2.
Hopefully Bethesda can unlock the framerate in a future patch, as playing one of the best RPGs ever made on a handheld-hybird console is always a fun treat.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is infamously available on every platform (save mobile), and rated M for Mature. The Elder Scrolls 6 was officially announced back in 2018.
