Only 30FPS, too
- by Ben Kerry
Last week, we brought you the news that Xbox & Bethesda’s latest Switch 2 game was indeed Skyrim (surprise!), with the team shadow-dropping the port on Nintendo’s new system with no prior announcement. You’d think a game that has its roots in the Xbox 360 era would run rather well on a 2025 system, but Digital Foundry’s early thoughts on the new version compare it to Xbox Kinect from the same era.
Yep, you read that right, DF is saying that early input latency tests for Skyrim on Switch 2 are comparable to Kinect for Xbox 360; an accessory that was notorious for high input lag. We’ll throw a quote on this from their early testing below:
“By using a high-speed camera to film a wireless Switch 2 Pro Controller and the Switch 2 in handheld mode, we have measured roughly 220-240ms difference between the press of a button and corresponding Skyrim action like swinging a weapon or moving through menus. How slow is that? While not an apples-to-apples comparison, we know that the Xbox 360’s motion-sensing Kinect camera rig has comparable input latency between captured real-world motion and kinematic translation in Xbox 360’s Kinect calibration menus. Not a great comparison point.”
The outlet also went on to add that the Switch 1 version of Skyrim has “150-170ms of latency” which is noticeably less, and quite shockingly, both games run at 30FPS. As mentioned by DF, Bethesda has responded saying that it’s “investigating reports that some players are experiencing input lag on the Nintendo Switch 2”.
We’ll have to see what comes of this investigation from Bethesda, but it should end up with a patch to fix these issues at some point (we’d hope so anyway). The DF team also says that it’s “currently preparing fuller coverage” on the new port, and we’ll throw a link to their initial findings down below as well.
Can you go any way to explaining how Bethesda’s new port is this wonky in 2025? Talk to us about Skyrim on Switch 2 in the comments section.
[source digitalfoundry.net]
Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin’ in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he’s not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that’s far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.
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Skyrim On Switch 2 Suffers ‘Kinect-Level Input Lag’, Says Digital Foundry
The much-anticipated release of Skyrim on Switch 2 has sadly been marred by reports of critically important input lag – a problem Digital Foundry describes as comparable to the notorious “Kinect-level input lag.” This unexpected performance issue has raised concerns across the gaming community, notably among Nintendo Switch enthusiasts eager to experience the iconic RPG on the new hardware.
What Is Kinect-Level Input Lag?
The term Kinect-level input lag originates from Microsoft’s Kinect sensor experience on Xbox 360, wich was criticized for its delayed responsiveness between player input and on-screen action. Translating this to Skyrim on Switch 2 means players are seeing a frustrating delay that severely impacts gameplay fluidity and precision.
input Lag Defined
- Input lag is the delay between pressing a button or moving a control stick and the corresponding action appearing on the screen.
- Lower input lag is critical for responsive gameplay, especially in fast-paced or precision-dependent scenes.
- High input lag leads to frustration, disrupted immersion, and can detract from a player’s overall experience.
Digital Foundry’s Analysis of Skyrim On Switch 2
Digital Foundry, known for in-depth technical reviews, conducted a detailed breakdown of Skyrim’s performance on Switch 2. Their findings revealed:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Input Lag Measurement | Comparable to Xbox Kinect’s delay (~250ms+) |
| Impact on Gameplay | Reduced movement precision, awkward combat responsiveness |
| Graphical Performance | Stable 30 FPS, but compromised by input delay |
| Possible Causes | Hardware-software bottlenecks, optimization issues |
This input lag reportedly causes player commands to not feel immediate or fluid, especially during combat and exploration sequences. Digital Foundry emphasizes that while graphical fidelity and frame rate maintain a steady level, the downside is the severely diminished control responsiveness, ultimately affecting overall gameplay satisfaction.
Why Does Skyrim On Switch 2 Have Input Lag?
Hardware Constraints and Optimization Challenges
Several factors have contributed to the disappointing input lag on Skyrim’s Switch 2 release:
- Hardware Architecture: Despite Switch 2’s upgrades, the new handheld has inherent limitations compared to traditional consoles or PC platforms, particularly concerning CPU and GPU interaction timing.
- Software Optimization: Porting a large, open-world RPG like Skyrim is highly complex. Developers may have prioritized graphical stability over frame input optimization,leading to lag.
- Input Processing Pipeline: Inefficient input polling rate and buffering add to lag, translating to slow player control reaction times.
Comparisons to Other Platforms
Unlike the Switch 2, Skyrim runs smoothly with minimal input delay on PC and newer consoles like Xbox Series X and PS5. These platforms have better hardware synchronization and dedicated optimizations for such AAA games, resulting in more responsive control.
Player Impact: How Input Lag affects Skyrim Gameplay
The input lag issue diminishes the immersive and engaging experience fans expect:
- Combat Mechanics Impaired: Timed blocking and attacking become less reliable due to delayed reactions.
- Navigation Difficulties: Slow response to controller input hampers exploration and quest completion.
- Reduced Enjoyment: The overall playability drops, making it frustrating for veterans and newcomers alike.
Practical Tips To Mitigate Input Lag On switch 2
While the root causes are primarily on the developer and hardware side, players can try several practical tips to reduce the perception of input lag:
- Disable V-Sync: Some players report lower lag by turning off vertical sync in the system settings or game options.
- Use Wired Controllers: Reducing wireless latency by connecting Pro Controllers or compatible wired alternatives.
- Switch To Performance Mode: Focus on frame rate over visual quality to improve responsiveness.
- Keep System Updated: Nintendo and bethesda may release patches targeting these issues; always keep yoru firmware and game updated.
Case Study: User Feedback On Skyrim Input Lag
| user | Experience | Solution Tried | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| GamerJohn92 | Combat actions felt unresponsive, especially during boss fights | Disabled V-Sync and used wired Pro controller | Noticeable enhancement but not eliminated |
| SwitchFan1234 | Exploration was sluggish; lag impacted stamina and movement | Updated both system and game but problem persisted | Waiting for official patch, currently frustrated |
| RPGlover17 | Input delay disrupted spell-casting timing | Switched to handheld mode (from docked) | Slight improvement in responsiveness |
Future Outlook: Will Nintendo and Bethesda Address This?
Given the widespread criticism and professional analysis from outlets like Digital Foundry, it is indeed expected that:
- Software Patches: Bethesda will likely release updates aimed at reducing input lag via better optimization.
- Firmware Tweaks: Nintendo may offer system-level improvements to input processing for Switch 2.
- Community Mods: If Skyrim on Switch 2 supports modding, the community could develop fixes or performance enhancements over time.
Both companies have a track record of responsive post-launch support, so gamers have reason to be cautiously optimistic.
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