Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 drops below 30 fps in leaked early gameplay video

Footage of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for Switch 2 has surfaced online ahead of its August 11 release. A blogger who obtained a physical copy early showed frequent frame rate drops, confirming worries about weak performance on Nintendo's console.

Scarlet Works noted that the cartridge requires no day-one patch. Visually, the game leaves a mixed impression, facing the same issues that plague the title on Xbox, PS5, and PC. Despite several updates, many flaws persist to this day.

The video demonstrates docked mode, starting in the Imperial Prison. Developers target 1080p at 30 fps, but the frame rate occasionally falls below that mark. More concerning is inconsistent frame pacing, which causes visible judder.

As on other platforms, the situation worsens after escaping to Cyrodiil. Stutters become more noticeable when exploring the open world. On the positive side, the graphics remain reasonably sharp and avoid excessive blur.

In a separate post, Scarlet Works briefly tested the handheld mode. The resolution drops to 900p, with 30 fps as the target again. The experience felt much the same as on a flat screen, though a particularly long pause occurred when approaching a denser city area.

Developers tried to optimize the classic RPG for Nintendo's console. DLSS upscaling helped Bethesda titles like Fallout 4, but may not be enough to fix this remaster, which is often CPU-bound. Critics also question the decision to blend Unreal Engine 5 with older code.

Steam Deck owners have dealt with the same performance drawbacks. Still, the Switch 2 version introduces changes that should be well received at launch: Scarlet Works found mouse mode and motion controls responsive, improving combat.