Bethesda Softworks has announced that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 11. The announcement was accompanied by a new trailer featuring the game's memorable Adoring Fan NPC.
The remaster of the seminal 2006 RPG was originally released last year for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. It features updated graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5 and several quality-of-life improvements. Upon its initial release, the remaster was played by 9 million users within three months. Critics generally received the game well, acknowledging its enduring quality despite its dated dialogue.
The Switch 2 version appears to be running adequately, based on the trailer. This stands in contrast to earlier assessments of the PC version, which Digital Foundry described as "One of the worst-running games" they had tested, though it should be noted that promotional materials are unlikely to highlight technical deficiencies.
While The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim achieved broader mainstream success and became one of the best-selling titles of all time, Oblivion was instrumental in expanding the series' audience and attracting console players.
Details on the Switch 2 release indicate three distinct variations will be available, all of which will include the controversial Horse Armor Pack. The offerings include a digital base game with the Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine expansions, a physical cartridge version with the same content, and a digital edition that also provides access to unique Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon themed armor, weapons, and horse armor sets. Additional downloadable content such as Fighter’s Stronghold, Spell Tomes, Vile Lair, Mehrune’s Razor, The Thieves Den, Wizard’s Tower, and The Orrery will be included across these versions.
Meanwhile, parent company Microsoft is reportedly preparing for a significant organizational reset within its Xbox division. Rumors suggest potential studio closures or sales, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, which could result in substantial layoffs across various Microsoft-owned entities like Blizzard Entertainment and ZeniMax Media.
Despite the success of its flagship franchises, Bethesda has been developing The Elder Scrolls 6 since its announcement in 2018, with full production commencing in 2023 after the release of Starfield. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has expressed a desire for the next installments in both The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series to be released promptly. It remains unclear how recent organizational changes at Microsoft might impact Bethesda's development timelines or studio resources for The Elder Scrolls 6.