Skyrim on Switch 2: 53GB Size, 30FPS Cap, and Players Experiencing Input Lag Issues

On Tuesday, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition made its surprise debut on the Nintendo Switch 2. Bethesda claimed this version of the beloved 2011 open-world RPG would be an upgrade over the previous Switch iteration. While there are some improvements, many players are left feeling let down by its performance and the amount of storage it consumes.

When Skyrim first launched on the Switch back in 2017, it was a significant achievement. Seeing Bethesda’s expansive RPG running on Nintendo’s hybrid console was impressive, and it provided a great way to enjoy Skyrim on the move. So, when the game transitioned to the Switch 2, fans were eager to see how Bethesda would leverage the more powerful hardware. Visually, the new version does look better, showcasing many of the graphical enhancements found in other Anniversary Edition releases.

However, it’s puzzling that this 2011 title, which typically runs at 60FPS or higher on most platforms, remains capped at 30FPS on the Switch 2, as if it were still 2017. Across Reddit and social media, players are voicing their frustration over this limitation, especially since titles like Cyberpunk 2077 manage to hit 40FPS on the same hardware. Additionally, the input lag on the Switch 2 version of Skyrim has been described as severe, with some players finding it nearly unplayable in handheld mode. Combined with the 30FPS cap, it makes for a frustrating experience.

Adding to the confusion, this version of Skyrim takes up a staggering 53 GB of space on the Switch 2. For comparison, the Special Edition on PC is only 12GB, and even with the Anniversary Edition DLC, it totals around 25GB. On Xbox Series X/S, the Anniversary Edition has a digital size of 32GB. The reason for the Switch 2 version’s large file size remains unclear, with some speculating it could be an error or related to how Bethesda’s older technology interacts with the new hardware. It’s surprising to note that Cyberpunk on Switch 2 is only about 10GB larger at around 60GB, yet it looks significantly better and runs at a higher framerate. Something doesn’t add up.

Fans are hoping Bethesda will do what it’s known for: releasing patches to fix issues and improve gameplay. Until then, it might be wise to hold off on purchasing Skyrim for the Switch 2.