Skyrim Anniversary Edition for Switch 2 is a good upgrade over the Switch port, but it should’ve been better

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Bethesda surprised fans yesterday by launching The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the new Nintendo Switch 2. Players who already own the Anniversary Edition on the original Switch can download the Switch 2 version at no cost from the eShop. I personally own both the original and Anniversary Editions of Skyrim on Switch. If you only have the base game, you can upgrade to the Anniversary Edition for $19.99, which will then unlock the Switch 2 version within the game. I was eager to compare how this latest version of Skyrim performs and looks, not just against the original Switch game, but also compared to playing on PC handheld devices.

This review will concentrate on Skyrim Anniversary Edition for both the original Switch and the new Switch 2. I plan to do a more comprehensive comparison later, after revisiting the game on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. For testing, I downloaded both the new Switch 2 Anniversary Edition and the original Switch Anniversary Edition onto my Switch 2, and I kept the original version on my Switch OLED. Because this isn’t a completely new edition, I was able to have both versions installed on the Switch 2 at the same time.

Skyrim Anniversary Edition Switch 2 vs Switch 1 upgrade impressions

When Skyrim came to the Switch in 2017, it was a surprisingly good port. I actually ended up playing it more than the PS4 or Xbox One versions, because I kept having issues with saves and the game itself on those consoles. I hadn’t spent much time with the PC version yet, and the Switch version felt solid and reliable, offering a classic Skyrim experience. It reminded me more of my time with the game on the Xbox 360 than the updated Special Edition on PS4.

The Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the new Switch is a significant upgrade over the original game on older consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360. It’s much closer in quality to the Special and Anniversary Editions available on current consoles, with noticeably improved graphics and image quality compared to the first Switch version. While the improvements are clear when played on a TV, they’re crucial for a good experience when playing in handheld mode. The original Switch version of Skyrim looked decent, but the older graphics don’t scale as well on the new Switch’s handheld screen.

The Switch 2 Anniversary Edition appears to be a significant improvement in visual quality whether you’re playing on the TV or in handheld mode. While the overall image looks great, I did notice some slight blurring around characters when they move, likely due to the upscaling technology used. It’s not a major problem, but it was definitely noticeable.

Okay, so I’m a little disappointed with the new Switch 2 version of Skyrim. It’s not just about how well it runs, but a bigger issue for me is the lack of mod support. Basically, you’re only getting the main game, the DLC, and what’s included in the Anniversary Edition. You can’t add any extra mods like you can on other consoles or PC, which is a huge bummer. It’s similar to what Bethesda did with some of their older shooter games on Switch – limited content compared to everywhere else. It feels like you’re not getting the full experience.

Another big problem is the delay between your actions and what you see on screen. While I expected the Switch 2 version to feel slower than playing on consoles like the PS5 or Steam Deck, which can run at 60 frames per second, it actually feels less responsive than the original Switch version running on the Switch 2. I suspect this is related to how the game handles screen syncing, and it really needs to be fixed. It makes the game less enjoyable, particularly when playing in handheld mode.

The biggest problem is the framerate – it’s capped at 30fps. While I’ve played Skyrim at that speed before, a new version on the Switch 2 should have offered at least 40fps, especially when playing handheld in 120hz mode. Hopefully, Bethesda will add a performance mode or improve how quickly the game responds soon.

Just a heads-up: downloading Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the Switch 2 requires 53GB of space. This is significantly larger than the original Switch version at 12.8GB, and also bigger than the Steam version which is around 15GB.

Skyrim Anniversary Edition load times on Switch 2 vs Switch 1

To check how quickly Skyrim loads, I installed a few different versions on my Switch 2. I tested the native Switch 2 Anniversary Edition on the console’s internal storage, the Switch 1 Anniversary Edition also on the internal storage, and the original Switch version on an SD card. I timed how long it took to get to the title screen from the console’s home screen, and then how long it took to load a game from early in the game.

Test condition Dashboard to title screen Loading a save
Switch AE 45 61
Switch AE on Switch 2 14 28
Switch 2 AE 18 17

Just so you know, all the loading times mentioned are measured in seconds. I also pressed the A button repeatedly to make things go faster and skip any messages about connected Joy-Con controllers.

The Switch 2 offers a much better experience when loading saved games and playing in general. However, the very first load of a save file is actually quicker on the original Switch when played on the Switch 2.

Is it worth upgrading to Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch 2 from Switch 1?

Okay, so I upgraded to the Skyrim Anniversary Edition on my Switch, and you definitely should too if you own the original! Just grab the free update from the eShop and launch it – it’ll pull over your save data. But heads up, it’s not perfect. While it looks way better and loads much faster than the first Switch version, things feel a little less responsive, which I noticed right away. Honestly, if you play mostly in handheld mode like me, the improved graphics and how much clearer everything is really make up for it. It’s a solid upgrade overall!

If you currently own the original Skyrim and not the Anniversary Edition, it’s best to wait for a sale and a few updates before purchasing the new version. Also, if you have a physical copy of the base game and buy the Anniversary Edition digitally, you won’t need your original game cartridge to play the new Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the Switch 2.

What Bethesda needs to add in Skyrim Anniversary Edition Switch 2 updates

I’ve already talked about the problems I’m having with the Switch version of Skyrim Anniversary Edition, but if Bethesda really wants to make it great, they need to focus on a few key things. First, the input lag is really noticeable and needs fixing. Second, even limited mod support would be amazing. And finally, a performance mode to try and get smoother gameplay would be a huge help!

Bethesda had a good opportunity to really impress with this new Switch 2 version, and while it’s great existing owners of the Anniversary Edition can upgrade for free, it’s a bit of a letdown that the Switch 2 version isn’t automatically better than the original Switch version. Still, it offers a solid handheld experience. Currently, I think the Steam Deck OLED provides the best portable gameplay, and PC offers the best experience on a TV, followed by PlayStation 5 and then Xbox Series X. I’m hoping that after some updates and improvements, a physical copy of Skyrim for Switch 2 will be released – I know a lot of people, including me, would prefer that to save storage space, given the game’s large 53GB file size.

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2025-12-10 16:57