Is Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Switch worth it? Absolutely.
As an avid Skyrim fan who has put hundreds of hours into multiple playthroughs across different platforms, I highly recommend the Anniversary Edition for Nintendo Switch. While not perfect, the sheer amount of content and portability makes it the definitive version of Skyrim to get lost in.
What does Skyrim Anniversary Edition add on Switch? A ton of new content
The Anniversary Edition packs in over 500 pieces of Creation Club content, including:
- 48 new quests adding dozens of hours of playtime
- Dungeons like Forgotten Seasons and Shadowfoot Sanctum
- New exotic arms and armor sets, spells, and mounts
- Customizable homes like Hendhraheim and Golden Hills Plantation
- New bosses like snakes, goblins, and the Forgotten Dragon
It also includes survival mode which adds food/temperature mechanics and camping. You can now fish across Skyrim too!
With the base game, 3 expansions, and all this new content, the total size is 14.3GB – quite massive for the Switch. You get hundreds more hours of adventures beyond the 200+ hours of the original game.
How does it perform on the Switch? Quite well after patches
When it first launched, frame rate drops and stuttering were common complaints, especially when loading new areas or using the Creation Club content.
However, Bethesda has released several optimization patches that have significantly improved performance:
- Exploration and combat now run at a smooth 30 FPS 95% of the time
- Frame rate is mostly stable in cities now too, aside from occasional dips in Riften
- Load times range from 10-20 seconds when transitioning between buildings and dungeons
Could performance be better optimized? Absolutely. But after the patches, it runs and plays great during your adventures across Tamriel.
What are the differences compared to other platforms?
Here‘s how the Switch version stacks up:
- 720p handheld/1080p docked vs 4K on latest consoles and PC
- Vanilla graphics and audio vs mods on PC
- 14GB file size vs up to 30GB on other platforms
- Motion controls and amiibo support only on Switch
- No Creation Club mod bundles only on PC
The lower resolution is noticeable, but the ability to play on the go outweighs it for me. Lack of mods is disappointing, but the portability makes this the ideal version for my lifestyle.
How much does it cost to upgrade or buy?
Here are the options:
- Upgrade from original Skyrim – $19.99
- Full Anniversary Edition – $49.99
For context, Skyrim Special Edition sells for $39.99 on other platforms, so the upgrade or full price on Switch are fantastic values.
During sales, you can often grab the original for under $30, making the upgrade a no-brainer. Considering the 500+ hours of content, the upgrade is an amazing deal.
Is Skyrim worth it for new players on Switch?
Skyrim remains my favorite open world RPG of all time, even 11 years after its initial release. The world building, lore, characters, quests, and freedom are unmatched.
On Switch, being able to play anywhere makes sinking hundreds of hours into it even easier. The controls translate perfectly to buttons or motion controls.
Aspects like graphics and physics are dated, but exploring Skyrim is an unparalleled adventure no matter how you play. For new players, Anniversary Edition on Switch is the best way to experience this masterpiece.
In summary
While not a flawless technical port, Skyrim Anniversary Edition on Nintendo Switch offers an unrivaled breadth of content and endless adventure on the go.
The significant expansions, hundreds of Creation Club items, and survival mode provide nearly endless new experiences even for seasoned players like myself. Despite its flaws, this is absolutely the definitive version of Skyrim and worth every penny.