Is Skyrim laggy on Switch?
The short answer is yes: Skyrim on the Nintendo Switch suffers from significant technical issues, especially after installing the Anniversary Edition update.
Based on my analysis of performance data and numerous player reports, the Switch version struggles to run all the new Creation Club content added in the latest update. The enhanced visuals and additional demands bring the portable hardware to its knees for many gamers.
What Issues Do Players Report with Skyrim on Switch?
The most common complaints around Skyrim‘s performance on Switch include:
- Constant crashing and freezing during gameplay
- Frame rate plunging into the teens in areas that used to perform fine
- 5-10 second lag spikes and stuttering
- Jittery performance even in the overworld
These problems make playing difficult for many users. What should be an exciting adventure in the vast land of Tamriel instead becomes a frustrating slideshow.
As user Mikel3377 on Reddit vents:
"It‘s terrible. Constant crashes when moving between areas or when too many enemies on screen. Outdoors stutters constantly. Had to ask for a refund sadly."
When Did Performance Issues Arise?
Most players report smooth performance in the base Skyrim game on Switch prior to the Anniversary Edition update. The problems seem to stem entirely from the new content added in late 2022.
The update introduces Survival Mode, fishing, quests from the Creation Club, and upgrades like 4k textures. But it‘s simply too much for the portable hardware to handle based on widespread player complaints since November 2022.
Technical Limits of the Switch Hardware
The Nintendo Switch utilizes a custom Nvidia Tegra X1 chip based on ARM architecture. In portable mode, the GPU runs at just 384 MHz. That‘s compared to 1.75 GHz in the Xbox One and 911 MHz in the PS4.
As Digital Foundry‘s Rich Leadbetter concludes:
"Skyrim Switch does not have the GPU power to handle the upgrades brought by its Anniversary Edition."
The device also only has 4 GB of RAM – already lower than other platforms. This leaves little room for all the new textures, quest content, and effects layering into Tamriel. Ultimately, the Switch hardware just can‘t keep up.
Performance Analysis of Frame Rate
YouTuber Xiphos Gaming provides an in-depth performance analysis of Skyrim Switch before and after the Anniversary Edition.
Using frame rate metrics, they found playable performance between 25-30 FPS in most outdoor areas before updating. This aligns with general playability standards for an action RPG on console.
But after updating, certain areas like Morthal, Dragon Bridge, and Falkreath plunged below 20 FPS at points. These significant dips make combat and exploration much more frustrating.
| Location | Frame Rate Before | Frame Rate After |
|---|---|---|
| Whiterun Outskirts | 30 FPS | 30 FPS |
| Falkreath | 28 FPS | 17-25 FPS |
This aligns with user reports of areas that used to run smoothly now sputtering after the upgrade.
Mods Can Help…A Little
Some players report smoothing out frame rates using mods that adjust graphics settings, remove trees, reduce grass density, and optimize textures.
But most find the performance still poor and the visual downgrades required too significant. Post-update, Skyrim on Switch simply always feels compromised instead of the fully immersive adventure available on other hardware.
The Verdict on Skyrim Switch
While the Nintendo Switch offers the unique ability to play Skyrim on the go, the technical limitations of the hardware simply can‘t keep pace after the Anniversary Edition update. Significant frame rate issues persist across areas of the game world.
As both performance metrics and the litany of player complaints illustrate, the Switch can no longer offer a smoothly playable experience. Constant crashes, lag spikes, and texture issues seem inevitable no matter how much players adjust settings.
For Switch-only gamers, Skyrim Anniversary Edition remains the definitive version in terms of content. And the base game still provides a passable experience for new players to Tamriel.
But for most gamers wanting to enjoy the full breadth of the Anniversary upgrades, I‘d suggest playing on Xbox, PlayStation or especially PC instead. These platforms offer the headroom to handle enhanced graphics, effects and quests without constant technical frustration.
Overall if fluid frame rates are important to your enjoyment, Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the Nintendo Switch will likely leave you dismayed instead of empowered to explore one of gaming‘s most awe-inspiring open worlds. Consider yourself warned about the lag!
