It’s been over 10 years since Fallout 4 released, and in that decade, Nintendo has made strides in developing its Nintendo Switch family of portable hybrid consoles—now in its next generation with Nintendo Switch 2. Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim found a new home on the original Switch and Switch 2 in that time, and Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition joins the lineup in what could be one of Bethesda’s most optimized ports in recent memory. It’s not all perfect yet, but Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is another example of third-party support done right on Nintendo Switch 2, and it could be even better after this review, too.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is essentially the “greatest hits” version of the fourth numbered entry in the post-apocalyptic first-person RPG series. Once more, after customizing your character’s appearance to your liking, you’re put in the boots of a spouse who survived the nuclear bombs by being admitted into Vault 111, thanks to your military heritage. This vault turns out to be experimental grounds for cryogenic preservation by Vault-Tec, and the whole ordeal kills all of the protagonist’s neighbors, leaving their spouse and son, Shaun, vulnerable when raiders attack the vault and kidnap the newborn. After the protagonist’s cryogenic pod malfunctions and finally frees them, you begin a quest for answers in a world that is ravaged and battered, nearly unrecognizable from the outer Boston area that the protagonist once knew. This is just the beginning of the journey in Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition, which includes a lot more than just the base game.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition Packs it All In
Following in the footsteps of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition includes the base Fallout 4 experience, all previously released DLC, a boatload of Creation Club items, and some additional features that weren’t found in the original console releases all those years ago. To be more specific, the Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World DLCs are all included and integrated into the game alongside more than 150 Creation Club items, which include new cosmetics, Workshop items, unique weapons, more pets, and so much more that was hand-picked by Bethesda. Naturally, you’ll progress through a sizeable portion of the main game before being able to access the Far Harbor and Nuka-World expansions, which are the game’s two major DLCs.
I’ve spent nearly 200 hours in Fallout 4 throughout the years, but the game definitely felt fresh on my mind again when I started my Switch 2 playthrough. In terms of gameplay, Fallout 4 is still the single-player entry with the best gunplay in the series, and I thoroughly enjoy exploring this post-apocalyptic rendition of Massachusetts a lot. Like any other Fallout game in the modern era, it’s up to you on how you want to approach the story, what factions you want to align yourself with, and what you will be remembered by when it comes to NPC interactions and reputation in this wasteland. The general premise of the game is to find Shaun and learn about why he was kidnapped, but you could take many detours and stumble into the Brotherhood of Steel questline, or basically any other quest, as you explore the Commonwealth, level up, acquire weapons and equipment, and become a stronger Sole Survivor.
The RPG elements really come into play with the Mass Effect-like dialogue system, the leveling and perk system, and V.A.T.S.—a targeting system that greatly slows down time and lets you aim specific body parts of an enemy by consuming Action Points. I’ve always enjoyed V.A.T.S since it rewards you for strategically aiming at specific body parts and building toward a critical attack, almost as if you’re playing a turn-based RPG in that moment. Fallout 4 also rewards you for exploring every nook and cranny by hiding away valuable items and locations if you explore off the many beaten paths. Your entire inventory, quest log, and stat parameters can be viewed from your Pip-Boy, which is more personalized than ever thanks to new customization options from Creation Club.
With robust gunplay, a varied and rewarding loot pool, and an enticing leveling perk system, Fallout 4 definitely still resonates with me after all these years, and the Anniversary Edition makes it all very convenient to access in one package. However, this is still Fallout 4 at the end of the day, and it still has a main story that isn’t as fulfilling or impactful as Fallout 3 or New Vegas‘ stories. The emphasis on Workshop building for the Minutemen questline and settlements can be off-putting for some players, as it was for me back when the game first came out, but it doesn’t irk me as badly now.
Far Harbor is still the narrative highlight of the game, just like it was at the time of the DLC’s initial release. This expansion brings more stakes to the narrative and offers more well-written dialogue reminiscent of Fallout 3 and New Vegas. I still greatly enjoy what Fallout 4 brings to the table, though, as it’s still a really good RPG overall. The gameplay loop of Fallout games is seriously compelling and even relaxing at times, despite the game’s setting. This is wholly maintained in Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, and all of the Creation Club additions are a welcome bonus that add more customization and loot to chase.
A Seamless Switch 2 Experience
In regards to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition includes 30 FPS, 40 FPS, and 60 FPS performance modes at 1440p, allowing you to prioritize resolution or frame rate with a simple toggle in the options menu. In docked mode, 60 FPS is the way to go, since the visual fidelity is still really respectable. In handheld, Performance Mode results in a slightly blurry image depending on the area you’re in. For example, if you’re out in the wastes in the middle of a radioactive thunderstorm, the image quality may look a little muddy. If you’re inside a building, the image quality tends to be clearer. If you want a clearer image and don’t mind a drop in overall frame rate, 40 FPS is the way to go in handheld mode. The Switch 2’s display supports 120Hz with VRR (variable refresh rate), so 40 FPS feels incredibly smooth in this game.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is already a great port on Nintendo Switch 2, and it seems like Bethesda really heard the feedback following the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. It feels like more of an optimized port right from the get-go, and 60 FPS was enabled straight away in docked mode when I started playing. What’s more, Bethesda already promised DLSS support and further stability improvements in an update, so it’s clear that there’s initiative on Bethesda’s end to make this a standout port. Admittedly, my expectations for this port were surpassed, as I rarely ran into frame drops or hitches on my playthrough.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is a Great Sign of Things to Come from Bethesda
I’m pleased with Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition on Switch 2 for the most part. Besides the muddy visuals in 60 FPS mode, the only caveat I could find with this port is the $59.99 MSRP for the digital release, especially for returning Fallout fans who pick up a Switch 2. $39.99 would have been the sweet spot in my opinion, but I still think the game offers so much at its current value, especially with all the DLC and additional content included.
That being said, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is a great sign of things to come from Bethesda on Switch 2. Including The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, two of Bethesda’s best games are now portable with 60 FPS support—seamless on a console. This port clearly shows that Bethesda is upping its game with Switch 2 development, so I’m seriously interested in seeing how The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered fares. For now, the Commonwealth is definitely worth revisiting or exploring for the first time on Switch 2.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition is available now for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Steam.
Disclaimer: Bethesda provided a Nintendo Switch copy of Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition for review purposes.
