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Borderlands 4 on Nintendo's Next Console: A Lootsplosion?

Last Updated: October 24, 2025

Borderlands 4 logo concept on a Nintendo Switch 2 console.

As the gaming world buzzes with anticipation for two of the industry's most anticipated arrivals—the next mainline Borderlands game and Nintendo's successor to the Switch—a critical question emerges for fans of looting and shooting on the go: will the two finally converge? While rumors of a new Nintendo console, unofficially dubbed the "Switch 2," point toward a 2025 release, Gearbox Software is also known to be deep in development on the next chapter of its iconic franchise. The prospect of a modern, graphically intensive Borderlands 4 launching on a next-generation Nintendo platform is a tantalizing one, representing a major test of the new hardware's capabilities and a massive win for third-party support.

The Hunt for Borderlands 4: What We Know

Gearbox Software and publisher 2K have not yet officially announced Borderlands 4. There is no title, no trailer, and no release date. However, the game's existence is one of the industry's worst-kept secrets. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has publicly confirmed the studio is "working on the next one" and actively hiring for the project. Furthermore, parent company Take-Two Interactive's financial reports have consistently pointed toward a major title from one of its key franchises, fueling speculation that a new Borderlands is on the horizon.

Following the success of Borderlands 3 and the fantasy spin-off Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, expectations are sky-high. A true sequel is anticipated to push the series' signature art style and chaotic gunplay to new heights, leveraging the power of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and modern PCs. This focus on next-generation technology is precisely what makes a potential Nintendo version so compelling—and so challenging.

Nintendo's Next Generation: Powering the Possibilities

The success of a potential Borderlands 4 port hinges entirely on the capabilities of Nintendo's next console. While the company remains silent, a consistent stream of industry reports paints a picture of a machine far more powerful than the original Switch. Key rumored features relevant to a demanding game like Borderlands include:

  • A Significant Power Leap: Most reports suggest the hardware will offer performance comparable to the PlayStation 4 or even higher, especially when docked. This would provide a much stronger baseline for running complex, open-world games.
  • Nvidia DLSS Technology: The most crucial rumor is the inclusion of a custom Nvidia chip supporting Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). This AI-powered upscaling technology would be a game-changer, allowing the console to render games at a lower internal resolution and use AI to intelligently upscale the image, achieving higher frame rates with minimal visual compromise.
  • Continued Hybrid Design: The console is expected to retain the beloved handheld/docked hybrid functionality, meaning any port would need to be optimized for both scenarios.

The Porting Challenge: Can It Be Done?

Bringing a game designed for PS5 and Xbox Series X to a portable Nintendo console would be a monumental task. The Borderlands franchise is known for its explosive particle effects, countless guns with unique visual styles, and sprawling environments—all of which demand significant processing power.

History, however, gives us reason for optimism. In late 2023, Borderlands 3: Ultimate Edition was successfully ported to the original Switch. While it required significant visual compromises and targeted 30 frames per second, it proved that the core experience could be translated to Nintendo's hardware. With the rumored power jump and the inclusion of DLSS in a "Switch 2," a port of Borderlands 4 becomes far more plausible. Achieving a stable performance target without gutting the game's visual identity would be the primary goal for any development team tasked with the port.

A Major Win for Nintendo's Third-Party Lineup

For Nintendo, securing a title like Borderlands 4 close to the launch of its new console would be a powerful statement. Historically, a key criticism of Nintendo platforms has been a lack of robust, day-and-date third-party support for major multiplatform releases. The original Switch eventually amassed a strong library, but many big games either arrived late or skipped the console entirely.

Having Borderlands 4 available on Nintendo's new hardware from the outset would signal to both consumers and other developers that the console is a viable and powerful platform for the biggest games on the market. It would demonstrate that players don't have to choose between Nintendo's stellar first-party exclusives and the biggest multiplatform blockbusters.

Looking Ahead: A Question of When, Not If

With no official announcements for either the game or the console, any discussion of a Borderlands 4 port remains speculative. However, the pieces are falling into place for it to become a reality. The timeline will likely involve Gearbox officially revealing Borderlands 4 first, followed by Nintendo's unveiling of its new hardware. An announcement of a port would almost certainly follow those two milestone events.

For now, Vault Hunters who dream of playing on a Nintendo console must exercise patience. While the wait continues, the technological promise of the "Switch 2" and the proven commitment of 2K to the platform provide strong hope. When Borderlands 4 does finally arrive, its potential appearance on Nintendo's next-generation machine could mark a new era of third-party parity, delivering a complete, uncompromised looter-shooter experience at home and on the go.