Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition marks the arrival of the beloved post-apocalyptic series to a Nintendo Platform (not counting Fallout Shelter), following the success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
During the launch window of the original Nintendo Switch in 2017, Bethesda wowed players by releasing what was, at the time, an impressive port of Skyrim. Since then, with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, and despite a rocky start, Skyrim has been updated to deliver a 60-fps presentation that far eclipses what was possible on legacy hardware.
Of course, Skyrim originally launched in 2011. In contrast, Fallout 4 arrived an entire console generation later, making its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2 that much more intriguing. I am happy to report that Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 is an irradiated gem of a port.
“I am happy to report that Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 is an irradiated gem of a port.”
With its arrival on the Switch 2, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition includes several performance toggles that give players the flexibility to fine-tune the experience. By default, the game runs at a mostly consistent 60 fps, with the trade-off being noticeably blurry draw distances that create an almost bokeh-like effect. The soft backgrounds are even more noticeable in handheld mode, although the gentler image does help mask visible stair-stepping and aliasing on objects.
Thankfully, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition also offers 30-fps and 40-fps modes. Cutting straight to the chase, playing Fallout 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2 is best experienced using the 40-fps option. Frame-rate changes can only be made from the main menu or title screen, so I recommend adjusting this setting before jumping in.
The 40-fps mode offers the best balance, delivering smooth, responsive gameplay with sharper and more uniform image quality. Loading into new areas or object-heavy scenes can cause minor stuttering, but never to the point where it detracts from the overall experience, making this the ideal way to play.
Image quality generally matches that of the Steam Deck and PlayStation 4 Pro versions, which in practice looks great on the Nintendo Switch 2’s 7.9-inch high-refresh-rate display. In essence, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is a well-optimized port that exceeds the out-of-the-box experience found on many other portable PC handhelds.
Disappointingly, the lack of exclusive Switch 2 features leaves something to be desired. In particular, the absence of mouse support and gyro aiming stands out, especially given the heavy emphasis on crafting and base-building in Fallout 4. Hopefully, Bethesda updates the game to include these features, as it did with Skyrim previously.
For newcomers to the wasteland, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is an excellent entry point to the series, borrowing the aesthetic of Fallout 3 while expanding on its mechanics with a standalone story that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the lore. Although the full price may sting, the inclusion of all DLC packs, along with a wealth of community-created content, makes Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition the definitive way for new players to experience the game.
“Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is an excellent entry point to the series.”
As a longtime fan, I do wish Bethesda would bring over Fallout 3 and especially Fallout: New Vegas, though those titles may remain absent if rumours of a forthcoming remake prove true. Despite its age, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition remains a good-looking game, made even more impressive on Nintendo’s portable hybrid. If anything reveals its age, it is the facial animations, which by 2026 standards can appear stiff and robotic.
In closing, Nintendo Switch 2 owners who have yet to experience the game should strongly consider Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition. It far surpasses the original 2015 release in terms of technical performance and content, making it a nearly compromise-free experience for Nintendo fans.
