The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch 2 Is Plagued by 'Horrendous' Input Lag and a 30 FPS Cap

The latest re-release of Bethesda's iconic RPG, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, has arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2, promising enhanced performance and visuals. However, the launch has been met with immediate and overwhelming backlash from players, who report that the port is functionally "broken" due to a major technical flaw: crippling input latency.

Performance: 30 FPS Lock and Crippling Lag

Despite the significant power jump offered by the Nintendo Switch 2, Skyrim Anniversary Edition remains locked at 30 frames per second (fps). This decision alone has drawn criticism, as fans expected an easy 60 fps target for a game originally released over a decade ago. However, the framerate is the least of the port's problems.

The most widely reported issue is the severe, unforgivable input lag. Players and technical analysts have measured the delay between a button press and the corresponding action on-screen at approximately 250 to 300 milliseconds (a full quarter-second). This massive delay makes precise actions, such as aiming a bow or using quick magic, feel sluggish and disconnected, with many players describing the game as "unplayable" and "borderline unplayable" compared to the original Switch port.

Other technical gripes include an unusually large installation size of 53GB, far exceeding the size of the game's PC or other console versions.

Visual Upgrades Versus Playability

The Switch 2 Edition does introduce several technical improvements over the original Switch version, including enhanced resolution, better lighting, and the use of DLSS for sharper image quality. Load times are also notably faster. However, the consensus among players is that these marginal visual boosts do not compensate for the dramatic downgrade in responsiveness.

As one player noted, "I’d honestly rather have the Switch 1 graphics running at 60 FPS. It looks fantastic, but the latency makes it unbearable." The input lag, which reportedly exists even on the title's main menu, has turned what should have been a triumphant portable release into an immediate technical disappointment.

Pricing and Upgrade Path

Bethesda has released Skyrim Anniversary Edition with the following pricing and upgrade structure:

New Purchase: The full game for the Switch 2 is priced at $60.
Upgrade from Switch 1 Base Game: Owners of the original Skyrim on Switch can upgrade to the Anniversary Edition on Switch 2 for $20.
Free Upgrade: Those who already own the Anniversary Edition on the original Switch can download the Switch 2 version as a free upgrade.

While the free upgrade path is appreciated, the widespread performance complaints—particularly the input lag that makes the stronger hardware feel worse—have left fans feeling that even a free update does not constitute a desirable "upgrade."