Video: Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition on Switch 2: 12 Minutes of Gameplay Revealed

After months of speculation and a brief tease late last year, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition has officially landed on Nintendo Switch 2.

For some players, it marks yet another return to the radioactive ruins of the Commonwealth. For others, it may be a first opportunity to experience one of Bethesda Game Studios’ most enduring RPGs on a portable system.

To mark the launch, we’ve captured 12 minutes of gameplay running directly on Switch 2 hardware — offering an early look at how the decade-old open-world title performs on Nintendo’s new-generation console.

What’s Included in the Anniversary Edition?

The Anniversary Edition bundles the full base game with all six official add-ons. That includes the story expansions Far Harbor, Nuka-World, and Automatron, alongside the three Workshop expansions that expand settlement-building mechanics.

In addition, players gain access to more than 150 pieces of Creation Club content, adding new weapons, armor sets, quests, and cosmetic items. For veterans who have already roamed the wasteland multiple times, the package offers one of the most content-rich versions of the game released to date.

It is, in short, the definitive Fallout 4 experience — now adapted for hybrid play.

How Does It Run on Switch 2?

Performance is the question hovering over every major third-party release on new Nintendo hardware — particularly after the troubled arrival of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which faced criticism over technical issues at launch.

In early gameplay footage, however, Fallout 4 appears to hold up well.

The 12-minute preview showcases the game’s opening sequence, stretches of open-world exploration, several combat encounters, and a handful of cinematic cutscenes. Frame rates appear stable during firefights, and load times are reasonable for a large-scale RPG of this scope.

Visually, the game undeniably shows its age. Originally released in 2015, Fallout 4’s textures and character models reflect design standards of that era. But on Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, the presentation remains sharp and cohesive, particularly in handheld mode.

Lighting effects and environmental detail translate convincingly to the smaller screen, while docked performance appears steady during chaotic skirmishes — traditionally one of the game’s more demanding elements.

A Second Life for a Modern Classic

Fallout 4 has long been one of Bethesda’s most commercially successful titles, bridging traditional role-playing systems with accessible open-world exploration. Its settlement-building mechanics and branching narrative paths helped it stand apart from earlier entries in the franchise.

The Switch 2 release continues a broader industry trend: extending the lifecycle of established blockbusters through enhanced editions on new hardware. For Nintendo players who missed earlier console generations, the arrival of Fallout 4 fills a notable gap in the system’s RPG catalog.

Pricing reflects the scale of the package. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is available now on the Switch eShop for £52.99 / $59.99. A code-in-a-box physical edition is scheduled to arrive on 28 April for those who prefer a boxed copy.

Review Incoming

While early gameplay suggests a stable and visually respectable port, a full review will be needed to assess long-term performance, battery impact in handheld mode, and how the game handles larger late-game environments.

For now, the signs are promising. After years of re-releases across multiple platforms, Fallout 4 appears to have found another home — this time in Nintendo’s evolving ecosystem.

For players ready to step back into the wasteland, the Vault door is open once again.