Skyrim on Switch 2 weighs in at 53GB, keeps a 30 FPS cap, and users report severe input lag
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition was unexpectedly released for Nintendo Switch 2 this week. Bethesda touted this port as an improvement over the original Switch version, and in some respects they’re right. The game does look nicer on Switch 2, with many model and texture upgrades carried over from other Anniversary Edition ports. That part is welcome news for fans seeking a prettier handheld experience.
Yet many players are frustrated by how the game runs and feels. A stubborn 30 FPS limit, despite the chapter’s presence on platforms that routinely push higher frames, is jarring. On Switch 2, the game often trades fluidity for visual polish, leaving some players feeling underwhelmed compared with contemporary titles like Cyberpunk 2077, which can reach higher frame rates on the same hardware.
Input lag is another major gripe. Several players report noticeable delays between button presses and on-screen actions, which can make combat and platforming feel unresponsive—especially in handheld mode where precise timing matters most.
File size is another surprise: the Switch 2 version occupies about 53 GB. For comparison, Skyrim Special Edition on PC is around 12 GB, and even with Anniversary Edition DLC, the total on PC is roughly 25 GB. On Xbox Series X/S, the Anniversary Edition sits at about 32 GB. The why behind the Switch 2’s 53 GB footprint isn’t clear—some speculate it’s a packaging or optimization misstep, others wonder if it reflects how Bethesda’s older engine translates to the newer hardware. By contrast, Cyberpunk on Switch 2 sits around 60 GB and runs with noticeably higher fidelity and smoother performance, which makes Skyrim’s storage size feel even more disproportionate.
If you’re considering buying, you might want to wait. Bethesda has a track record of releasing games that need patches and post-launch fixes, and this port seems to be no exception. Patches could potentially address frame rate, input responsiveness, and overall stability. Until then, prospective players should weigh whether the current experience meets their expectations on Switch 2.
Would you be comfortable purchasing Skyrim on Switch 2 in its current state, or would you rather wait for patches and possible performance improvements? Share your thoughts below.
