Borderlands 4 Delayed Indefinitely on Nintendo Switch 2, Digital Pre-orders Canceled

In a surprising and concerning turn of events, Gearbox Software has announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 has been delayed indefinitely. The news, which came just over a week before its scheduled October 3, 2025 release date, has left many fans wondering about the state of the port and the future of the game on Nintendo’s new console. In a statement on their official social media, the developers confirmed that the decision was made to “ensure we deliver the best possible experience to our fans,” citing a need for “additional development and polish time.”

The announcement has sparked a wave of conversation in the gaming community, particularly among those who have been following the game’s performance issues on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S since its September 12, 2025 launch. While Borderlands 4 has received generally positive reviews for its core gameplay, the console and PC versions have been plagued by technical issues, including stuttering and a suspected memory leak. This has led many to speculate that the Switch 2 version, which is already a significant technical challenge, would be unplayable without a major overhaul. The delay, while frustrating for those who were looking forward to the release, is being seen by many as a necessary and “pro-consumer” move to prevent the launch of a broken product.

The Indefinite Delay: What Does This Mean?

The use of the term “indefinite” is particularly notable. It signifies that there is no new release date to announce, and the team needs a significant amount of time to address the issues. This is a rare move for a major AAA title and speaks to the seriousness of the underlying problems. Gearbox also noted that it hopes to “better align this release with the addition of cross saves,” a feature that was missing from the initial launch on other platforms. While this is a welcome promise, it also suggests that the delay will be substantial, as the implementation of cross-save functionality is a major undertaking for a game of this scale. In accordance with Nintendo’s policy, all digital pre-orders for the Switch 2 version will be automatically canceled starting on September 26, and those with physical pre-orders are advised to contact their retailer for a refund. This is another strong indication that the delay will not be a short one, as it would be unnecessary to cancel all pre-orders for a brief postponement.

The Challenges of Bringing AAA Games to Switch 2

The situation with Borderlands 4 highlights the ongoing challenges that developers face when porting massive, graphically demanding games to the Nintendo Switch 2. While the new console is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, it still operates with a more limited hardware profile than the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The looter-shooter genre, with its chaotic action, particle effects, and numerous on-screen enemies, is notoriously difficult to optimize. The fact that the game has performance issues on more powerful hardware only underscores the scale of the task for the Switch 2 development team. This debate over performance and optimization on the Switch 2 is a significant source of high-CPC keywords and discussion within the gaming news ecosystem.

Despite the setback, Gearbox has stated that it is committed to delivering a high-quality product for the Nintendo Switch 2 audience. It has been actively working on patches and fixes for the other versions of the game, and a dedicated patch for the PlayStation 5 Pro is also in the works. The indefinite delay of the Switch 2 version is a clear signal that the developers are taking these performance issues seriously and are willing to take the time necessary to resolve them before the game is released to the public. For now, Switch 2 owners who were looking forward to a trip back to Pandora will have to wait patiently for a new launch date.