Borderlands 4 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, but there’s some news that might make physical copy fans raise an eyebrow. Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford confirmed that even if you buy a physical version, you will still have to download part of the game. That’s because the physical release will be on a game key card instead of a full cartridge, reflecting a trend that some big publishers have already followed.
Pitchford explained this in a fan Q&A following the announcement. “It’s a big game,” he said, “There will be a download, even for physical copies.” This approach isn’t distinct to Gearbox. Publishers like Square Enix and Capcom have also been opting for game-key cards on Switch 2, which means the physical media may not contain the entire game’s data.
It's a big game. There will be a download, even for physical copies.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) July 22, 2025
Another detail that might disrupt expectations is the performance. Earlier, Pitchford mentioned Borderlands 4 would target 60 FPS on Switch 2, but now it looks like that’s not quite happening. Replying to fans, he stated that the game will primarily run at 30 FPS, with occasional dips during intense combat or multiplayer sessions, especially in handheld mode. So, if you were hoping for silky smooth 60 frames, you might be in for some compromises.
It was important to us to not cut anything and to support cross play with other platforms. So, no. It'll be mostly around 30 fps, with some dips in some intense moments heavy combats or if hosting a multiplayer game in handheld mode, etc.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) July 22, 2025
There’s also some talk about Borderlands 3’s performance on Switch 2, which has been criticized since launch. Pitchford admitted that Borderlands 3 wasn’t made with Switch 2 in mind and that Gearbox wants to improve it, but Borderlands 4 is the main focus right now. “We need some help and some time,” he said, which sounds like a polite way of saying don’t hold your breath just yet.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While it’s a bummer that the physical copies won’t be fully standalone and that performance isn’t hitting 60 FPS, at least Gearbox seems aware of the issues and is planning to address them eventually. The Switch 2 is preparing to be a frickin’ interesting platform for Borderlands fans, but it’s clear there will be some trade-offs.
Want to share your thoughts or grumble about the download requirement? Hit the comments below and let’s talk it out.
