Borderlands 3 Revolutionizes Gaming on Switch with a Groundbreaking Move

Highlights

Borderlands 3 on the Nintendo Switch has received positive reviews for its performance, despite concerns about the console's hardware limitations.

The absence of four-player co-op in the Switch port of Borderlands 3 is disappointing and puts it at a disadvantage compared to other versions of the game. Online play is limited to two players, despite this feature being crucial to the franchise's success since the original game. This limitation could potentially impact sales, although it is unlikely to be addressed in a future patch.

Today is the much-anticipated release day for Borderlands 3 on the Nintendo Switch, along with the release of the entire Borderlands franchise on the console. Prior to the Switch port of Borderlands 3, there were concerns about how the game would perform on Nintendo's older hardware. It was assumed that the game would have to make significant compromises in terms of visuals and performance to maintain a stable frame rate on the system. Fortunately, early impressions of Borderlands 3 on the Switch have been mostly positive in terms of its performance. However, one important feature is missing: four-player co-op.

Since the original Borderlands game, both online and local co-op play have been crucial to its success, with many players choosing to exclusively experience the game with friends. While Borderlands 3's Switch port still offers online multiplayer functionality, it only allows for up to 2 players in a squad, compared to the traditional 4. Considering how essential online multiplayer is to the core Borderlands experience, it is surprising that the game launched without the ability to team up with up to 3 friends. Additionally, the previous Borderlands titles on Switch allowed for up to 4 players simultaneously, making the absence of 4-player online functionality in Borderlands 3 puzzling.

Borderlands 3's Switch Port is at an Immediate Disadvantage

Despite the impressive capabilities of the Switch, it is no secret that AAA game ports on the hybrid console usually fall short in performance compared to their PlayStation and Xbox counterparts. However, the Borderlands series has managed to find success on the Switch due to its compatibility with the franchise's "drop-in/drop-out" nature and unique features like gyro controls for precise aiming. Although the Switch ports may lack certain audiovisual elements found in other console versions, they arguably offer an enhanced gameplay experience.

Regrettably, the absence of 4-player multiplayer in the Switch port of Borderlands 3 significantly diminishes the console's version of the co-op looter shooter. The recently released Ultimate Edition of the game for the Switch provides the most cost-effective option, including the main campaign and all DLC expansions at a fraction of the price compared to the PlayStation and Xbox versions. However, this price advantage comes at the expense of one of the game's crucial features. The limitations on co-op gameplay could greatly impact the game's sales, raising concerns about how 2K could address this issue in a future patch, if they choose to do so.

What the Future of Borderlands 3 on Switch Might Look Like

Regarding how 2K could address the disparity between the Switch version of Borderlands 3 and other versions in terms of its online multiplayer, a future update could potentially resolve the limitation on concurrent players in a session. Currently, the game only allows for up to 2 players in a session, but it is uncertain if this restriction will remain permanent. However, it is disappointing to see Borderlands 3 arrive on the Switch without the inclusion of its popular 4-player co-op feature, which is integral to its engaging gameplay.

There have been recent indications suggesting the development of the successor to the Nintendo Switch, with sources claiming that the console will be announced soon and targeted for release in Q4 2024. If and when this happens, it is possible that Borderlands 3 and other AAA ports on the Switch will receive upgrades for the next generation, potentially at an additional cost to players. Despite the impressive performance of Borderlands 3 on the Switch and its efficient optimization with a smaller install size of under 20GB, it is regrettable that it deviates from the series' tradition in this crucial aspect.

Borderlands 3 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.