Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition launched on Nintendo Switch 2 today, bringing the post-apocalyptic RPG to Nintendo's new handheld console with graphics modes that stack up well against PS4 and PS5 versions. Developers at Bethesda released the game this morning, and early tests from players and reviewers show how it performs in docked and handheld setups across different frame rates. The Fallout 4 Nintendo Switch 2 vs PS4 PS5 graphics comparisons highlight a solid port for portable play.
Key Takeaways
- Switch 2's 30fps mode hits 1440p resolution docked and looks close to PS5's 60fps performance settings.
- Three frame rate options—30, 40, and 60fps—let players pick between sharper images or smoother motion.
- Handheld play shines at 40fps, beating Steam Deck in detail while staying playable on the go.
- No gyro aiming yet, but controls match PS5 exactly.
Background
Fallout 4 first came out back in 2015. It put players in a ruined world full of mutants and settlements to build. The game sold millions on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Bethesda kept it alive with updates and editions. The Anniversary Edition packs in all DLC like Nuka-World and Automatron. It hit older Nintendo Switch years ago, but that run struggled with frame drops and low res. Now with Switch 2's beefier hardware, things changed. Nintendo's console launched late last year. It packs more power than the original, enough for modern ports. Today's release lets fans roam the Commonwealth anywhere. Early buzz built from trailers. Some worried it would look rough like the first Switch version. Tests prove otherwise. The game defaults to a 120Hz container if your TV handles it. That sets up smooth play right away.
And players jumped in fast. They fired up saves from the opening areas like Concord. Museums. Open wastes. Every spot got side-by-side shots. PS4 reps the old guard at 30fps locked. PS5 pushes 60fps with better shadows and draw distance. Switch 2 splits the difference smartly. It offers choices. Pick 30fps for max detail. Go 60fps for speed. Or land at 40fps for balance. That last one's a sweet spot on handhelds. It feels smoother than 30 without blurring like 60. Bethesda didn't add gyro or mouse controls. Buttons work just like PS5. Simple. Familiar.
Key Details
The comparisons break down by mode and setup. Start with docked play. Switch 2 at 30fps renders at 1440p. That's higher than PS4's blurry 900p-ish push. Shadows pop more. Grass sways denser. Buildings hold edges clean. PS5 in 60fps performance mode? Close match. Switch 2 edges it in level of detail sometimes. Draw distance pulls in junk from farther out. PS5 wins on fluid motion. But the gap's small. Frame times stay steady on Switch 2. No big stutters in town fights or radstorm runs.
Handheld Performance
Handheld shifts things. Switch 2 shines here. At 40fps, open world flies. Nuclear blasts look crisp. No Deck-level mush. Steam Deck locks at 60fps default on LCD models. OLED caps 45fps weirdly from V-Sync. Switch 2 beats it in 30fps mode. Higher res. Better LOD pop-in. 60fps handheld softens up. Textures smear in motion. But 40fps? Gold. Reviewers call it smoother than 30-60 jumps. Docked 60fps holds too. Concord Museum run: steady frames. No dips below target.
PS4 lags behind. Muddy res. Aliasing everywhere. Switch 2 laps it easy. Even 60fps mode trumps base PS4. Load screens match across boards. All use same assets from Anniversary pack. No cut content. Full vaults. All companions. Physics tick same. Combat feels punchy. VATS slows time right.
"The 40fps mode is a really nice middle ground. It gives much smoother gameplay than 30, and the difference feels huge on lower power devices." – Tech reviewer BluntNate
Tests ran clean installs. Firmware fresh at 21.0.1. SteamOS stable too. Videos clock minutes of gameplay. Open world loops. Combat bursts. Museum clears. Switch 2 docked 30fps vs Deck 60fps: Switch wins visuals. Deck fights for frames. Switch 60fps handheld open world: playable. But softer. 2x scaling on Deck helps FPS. Still trails in clarity.
Numbers tell it straight. Pop-in distances: PS5 at 8 units. Switch 2 14-20. Deck 15. Higher means more world visible. Switch pulls ahead. That's from hour one runs.
What This Means
Portable Fallout 4 changes how fans play. No more PC tether. Or TV lock. Grab Switch 2. Head out. Build bases on lunch breaks. Raid at night. The graphics hold up. 30fps docked fools eyes into PS5 levels. Battery lasts decent—tests hit hours per charge. Multiplayer? Nah, single-player stays pure. Mods? Not yet. Base game shines stock.
Competition heats. Steam Deck owners might stick for 60fps tweaks. But Switch exclusives pair nice. Families share easier. PS5 folk won't ditch home rig. Still, travel wins go Nintendo. Ports like this push devs. Skyrim got tweaks post-launch. Fallout 4 could too. Add gyro? Mouse? Optimization bumps? Watch updates.
Sales tick up. Anniversary Edition refreshed old hits. Switch 2 crowd grabs it quick. Numbers from launch day show strong starts. Handheld RPG boom grows. Other big ports eye this. Like next Elder Scrolls whispers. Tech like 120Hz helps. 40fps targets set new bars. Lower devices feel premium now.
Battery drain varies. 30fps sips power best. 60fps gulps more. Docked? Plug in. No worry. Controls lack flair. No motion aim. Fingers do fine. Vast map loads fast. Fast travel instant. Settlements build smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Switch 2 Fallout 4 beat PS5 graphics?
No full beat. But 30fps mode matches PS5 performance close in detail and res. PS5 smoother at 60fps always.
Best mode for handheld?
40fps. Balances sharp looks and smooth feel. Reviewers pick it over 60fps blur or 30fps chop.
Any mods on Switch 2?
Not at launch. Base Anniversary Edition only. Updates might add support later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Switch 2 Fallout 4 beat PS5 graphics?
No full beat. But 30fps mode matches PS5 performance close in detail and res. PS5 smoother at 60fps always.
Best mode for handheld?
40fps. Balances sharp looks and smooth feel. Reviewers pick it over 60fps blur or 30fps chop.
Any mods on Switch 2?
Not at launch. Base Anniversary Edition only. Updates might add support later.
