Borderlands 4 Switch 2 release date leaks at retailer, but performance on console in doubt

Shortly after its debut on other platforms in September, Gearbox Software announced a delay for the Borderlands 4 Switch 2 port. The publisher acknowledged criticism over lackluster performance on the PC and consoles. With Nintendo’s handheld posing new challenges, it left gamers without a firm release date. If a Portuguese retailer is correct, the looter shooter will finally ship on February 27.

GamingReplay lists the Switch 2 game with a pre-order price of €69,99. As expected, it will ship on a Game-Key Card requiring a 40GB download. It’s possible the information is a placeholder, but some fans anticipate confirmation during a rumored February Nintendo Direct.

After numerous patches, Gearbox addressed memory leaks that earlier plagued Borderlands 4. Still, the experience isn’t stutter-free on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and even PC players with high-end hardware remain disappointed. As a result, Nintendo supporters are skeptical about how it will run in a mobile form factor.

Panic Button to the rescue?

If the port impresses on its release date, gamers may have Panic Button to thank. The company assisted Nintendo with Switch 2 updates for titles like Super Mario Odyssey. For the previous handheld, it also tackled demanding shooters, including Doom Eternal. The optimization pros are reportedly involved with the latest Borderlands.

Playable builds for the port already existed, and testers shared concerns about frame rates. Despite an apparent 30 fps limit, stutters were still evident in demo booths. DLSS upscaling should boost performance, but the developers may need to implement wholesale changes.

When the Borderlands 4 Switch 2 release date arrives, gamers could see other improvements. Gearbox explained that adding cross-saves would be another priority during the delay. The game also offers platform-specific features like GameChat support and Joy-Con mouse control.