Surprise! 'Skyrim Anniversary Edition' Lands On Switch 2 Today

Nintendo Life
Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:05:00 +0000

Bethesda has announced that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is now available as a free upgrade for Switch 2 users. This version features enhanced resolution, improved load times, and Mouse Mode support, along with the three expansions: Dawnguard, Dragonborn, and Hearthfire. Existing Switch 1 players can upgrade for free, while new users can purchase the Anniversary Edition for £52.99 or upgrade from the base game for £17.99.

2025-12-09 | GamesRadar+: Todd Howard, you've done it again: Skyrim now has a Switch 2 Anniversary Edition, just when you thought Bethesda might have run out of ways to re-release the 14-year-old RPG

Bethesda has released The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition for the Switch 2, allowing owners of the Switch 1 Anniversary Edition to upgrade for free. This version includes the three DLC expansions and Nintendo-exclusive content, alongside performance enhancements like faster load times and improved resolution. Bethesda claims there are "hundreds of unique Creation Club items" available. The release continues the trend of multiple Skyrim editions as fans await news on The Elder Scrolls 6.

2025-12-09 | Game Informer: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Switch 2 Version Out Now

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition has been surprise-launched for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring improved resolution, faster load times, and Joy-Con 2 mouse support. The edition includes the base game, three expansions, and exclusive features like motion controls and Amiibo support. It costs $60, with free upgrades for existing Anniversary Edition owners. The original game launched on November 11, 2011, and remains highly acclaimed.

2025-12-09 | IGN: Bethesda Found Another Platform to Release Skyrim On: Nintendo Switch 2 — and It's Out Today

Bethesda has released The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 as of December 9, featuring enhanced graphics, improved load times, and exclusive content from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game is priced at $59.99, with free upgrades for existing owners of the Anniversary Edition on Switch. Todd Howard hinted at the possibility of shadowdropping The Elder Scrolls 6 in the future.

2025-12-09 | Eurogamer: Skyrim Switch 2 edition announced, so yes you can play Bethesda's RPG yet another way before Elder Scrolls 6

A new version of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, the Anniversary Edition, has been announced for the Switch 2, priced at £52.99. It features faster load times, enhanced resolution, and exclusive content from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Owners of the Anniversary Edition on Switch can download the Switch 2 version for free. Bethesda's Todd Howard stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still in development but "a long way off.

2025-12-09 | VGC: The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Anniversary Edition has shadow dropped on Switch 2, with a free upgrade for Switch players

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition has been released for the Switch 2, featuring enhanced resolution, faster load times, Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, motion controls, and amiibo support. Priced at $59.99, existing owners of the Switch version can upgrade for free. Players with the standard edition can purchase an Anniversary Upgrade for $19.99. The Anniversary Edition includes the base game, expansions, and exclusive content from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

2025-12-09 | Gematsu: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition now available for Switch 2

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is now available for Nintendo Switch 2 at $59.99, with a free upgrade for existing owners of the Anniversary Edition on Switch. This version features enhanced resolution, improved load times, and optimized performance. It includes the base game and three expansions: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn, along with hundreds of Creation Club items.

2025-12-09 | Nintendo Life: Feature: "It's A Bit Of A Joke At This Point" - Skyrim Dev On Returning For A Switch 2 Re-Release

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is being re-released as a free upgrade for the Switch 2, featuring enhanced performance, resolution, and load times. Bethesda's Creative Director, Matt Carofano, discussed the development process, emphasizing the ease of adapting the game for the new hardware. He highlighted improvements like DLSS support and better volumetric lighting. The re-release aims to attract both returning fans and new players, with Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition also announced for Switch 2.

2025-12-09 | Insider Gaming: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Is Being Released…Again

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is set to release on the Nintendo Switch 2, confirmed by Bethesda Game Studios. This version is free for owners of the Anniversary Edition on Switch 1 and includes the Dawnguard, Dragonborn, and Hearthfire expansions, along with exclusive Zelda-inspired content. The announcement was made on December 9, 2025, inviting players to enjoy the game during the holiday season.

2025-12-09 | GameSpot: Skyrim Is Now On Yet Another Platform, But There's A Way To Upgrade For Free

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, specifically the 2021 Anniversary Edition, featuring Joy-Con 2 mouse-control support, improved load times, and performance enhancements. Owners of the Anniversary Edition on the original Switch can upgrade for free, while new buyers can purchase it for $60. Non-Anniversary Edition owners can upgrade for $20. Bethesda is also developing The Elder Scrolls VI, announced in 2018, with no release date yet.

2025-12-09 | Pure Xbox: Xbox & Bethesda Shadow Drop Another Switch 2 Game, And You'll Never Guess What It Is

Xbox's Bethesda has surprise released The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch 2, featuring enhanced resolution, improved load times, and optimized performance. Owners of the Anniversary Edition on Switch can download it for free, while base edition owners can purchase an upgrade. This release continues Bethesda's trend of bringing Skyrim to new platforms, with Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition also set for Switch 2 next year.

2025-12-09 | Nintendo Life: Video: Skyrim Still Isn't 60fps On Switch 2, But Here's How It Fares Against Switch 1

Bethesda announced that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition will be released on Switch 2, featuring technical upgrades. A video comparison shows improved resolution, load times, and performance on Switch 2 versus Switch 1. However, the overall experience remains similar. Owners of the Anniversary Edition on Switch 1 can upgrade for free, while new players can purchase it for £52.99 or upgrade from the base game for £17.99.

2025-12-10 | GamesRadar+: Skyrim art lead knows "it's a bit of a joke" how many times Bethesda has re-released the iconic RPG over the past 14 years: "It's a great game. We want everyone to be able to play it"

Skyrim's lead artist, Matt Carofano, humorously acknowledged the numerous re-releases of the game over the past 14 years, particularly with the recent launch of the Anniversary Edition on Switch 2. He emphasized the desire to introduce Skyrim to new players and improve the experience for each console. Carofano noted the ongoing trend of re-releases, stating, "It's a bit of a joke," while expressing enthusiasm for making the game accessible to everyone.

2025-12-10 | IGN: 'It's a Bit of a Joke at This Point How Often We Release Skyrim, but It's a Great Game' — Bethesda Sees Funny Side After Shadowdropping Nintendo Switch 2 Port

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Anniversary Edition has been shadowdropped on Nintendo Switch 2, prompting Bethesda to acknowledge the humor in its frequent re-releases. Creative director Matt Carofano highlighted improvements in graphics and performance, utilizing new hardware features like DLSS and Joy-Con 2 controls. Lead designer Bruce Nesmith reflected on Skyrim's lasting popularity, while Bethesda continues to develop The Elder Scrolls VI and considers a potential Elder Scrolls TV adaptation.

2025-12-10 | Nintendo Life: Mini Review: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition (Switch 2) - Just Hugely Disappointing

The review criticizes the Switch 2 version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition for its poor performance despite graphical enhancements. It highlights issues like significant input lag and a disappointing 30fps frame rate, making gameplay feel clunky. The reviewer expresses frustration over Bethesda's rushed release, suggesting that the game is ultimately worse than previous versions, despite a large download size of 53GB.