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So I got pretty lucky on this one. Having ordered the physical version of Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2, I had it delivered earlier today, beating out the official release date by a few days. With this being a port I figured people would be interested in, I’ve rushed to pop together some early impressions and a bit of footage showing the game in action so you can decide whether it’s one worth picking up. In short though? It is decent. Not perfect, but decent.

We’re looking at a 30fps target that is largely hit barring some hitches here and there, which you can see in the video. Those hitches aren’t insignificant, but they definitely aren’t game ruining. The controls feel significantly more responsive than what we saw with the various Skyrim ports, with the graphics being about what you’d expect from a Switch 2 release. Passably cromulent. To some extent I’m left wondering how good Bethesda could’ve got the original Oblivion looking on something like the Switch 2, but I guess I’ll never know.

The real star of the show for this port is Mouse Mode for me. It feels suitably responsive, and with the game allowing you to map your controller separately when using and not using Mouse Mode, you’re able to shift between setups surprisingly seamlessly. Using an analogue stick for movement and a mouse for camera controls has quickly become one of my favourite things about Switch 2 ports, and I’m glad to see Bethesda didn’t drop the ball here. Motion controls are also here, and giving them a go with my Switch 2 Pro Controller I can’t say I had any issues. It made aiming the bow a good chunk better; it didn’t quite feel as good as the more modern Zelda games’ motion controls, but they really are the gold standard for me.

I’ve spent a grand total of about an hour playing the game so far, and though I’m not exactly blown away, it’s a port I’m happy to own. If it does get the same support Skyrim has had in its previous Nintendo releases, I could see the performance improving a touch. At least removing those hitches you can see in the overworld. But it is always worth stressing: don’t buy the game on the expectation of such patches. If what you’ve seen so far is putting you off, hang fire and pick it up if and when those updates do come. For me personally, I’m happy to keep playing. I’ve certainly had worse performance trying to play on PC, though I do accept it won’t fly for some.

One area I will give Bethesda some credit is in releasing the game fully on cartridge. None of that Game Key Card stuff. My Micro SD Express card is particularly grateful, with the full game coming in at close to 60GB. There is still a small day one patch to grab, but that’s less than a gigabyte. Much more reasonable.

Is this a version of the game you’ve been keeping an eye on? Think you’ll pick it up eventually? Let us know your thoughts.

 

[Maximumbeans]

I haven't played Oblivion in probably close to a decade now, maybe longer, so I might be tempted by this down the line. My PC didn't exactly play it perfectly back then so it won't be any worse on S2.

 

[x65943]

First of all I love that you used the word cromulent

Second of all, I love TES IV and it's sort of a dream of mine to own it on a Nintendo system, so this is super neat

Now we just need a Morrowind port on the switch (official port I mean - true we have the homebrew one already) and I can die happy

 

[mattyxarope]

As with most Switch 2 ports - if you don't have any other way to play it, then get it for the Switch.

 

[lightwo]

Welp, this appears to be the first and only decent way to play the game portably so far. Could they have made an update for the PC version to make it more bearable on PC handhelds? Probably? I'd be extremely disappointed if they simply choose not to ever do it, but ultimately I prefer playing the original anyway.

Now of course, there have been mods that try to help improve and stabilise performance, but I haven't personally tried any and feel that if they already put in the work, at least some of it should be possible to reuse in other versions.

 

[AndorfRequissa]

i tried playing the PC remaster but it had bugs and felt like a dated game that just wasnt entertaining. it was a marvel at the time it came out because it pushed the envelope and was groundbreaking in an open world environment but by todays standards its just boring imo.

 

[Ettino]

We’re looking at a 30fps target that is largely hit​

Not bad for the S2, I guess. The game can't even maintain a solid 60fps on the PS5 Pro's performance mode.

 

[Scarlet]

Not bad for the S2, I guess. The game can't even maintain a solid 60fps on the PS5 Pro's performance mode.

It's definitely playable. From playing a little more it's only the overworld where I really see hitches in the framerate. Doing the first Oblivion Gate and exploring Kvatch both seemed entirely fine. Fingers crossed Bethesda can put in a bit more work to get that stable 30.

 

[ZeroT21]

Sounds like a great port, I've yet to try the pc version on my steam deck

 

[Exnor]

I like your reviews. Just subscribed to you channel .

 

[Scarlet]

I like your reviews. Just subscribed to you channel .

Oh thanks! It's something I've been wanting to do for a while alongside what I post here. Still early days so hoping to improve with each video!

 

[Exnor]

Oh thanks! It's something I've been wanting to do for a while alongside what I post here. Still early days so hoping to improve with each video!

Keep them coming

 

[emigre]

Oh thanks! It's something I've been wanting to do for a while alongside what I post here. Still early days so hoping to improve with each video!

I'm waiting until you hit 68 subs so I can be 69, which would be nice.


EDIT:

DID IT!

 

[Nakamichi]

tldr: meh

Post automatically merged: Today at 8:26 PM

I'm waiting until you hit 68 subs so I can be 69, which would be nice.


EDIT:

DID IT!

View attachment 585300

Niiiiiice

 

[K3Nv4]

I'm waiting until you hit 68 subs so I can be 69, which would be nice.


EDIT:

DID IT!

View attachment 585300

Third of all, @x65943 loves that you used 69.

 

[The Catboy]

Welp, this appears to be the first and only decent way to play the game portably so far.

Really? Right in front of my Steam Deck?

 

[rudras]

Always this middle/low performance with this kind of port so we can hope for a "decent" experience in the end....

 

[Bladexdsl]

Fingers crossed Bethesda can put in a bit more work to get that stable 30.

gotta love that stable 30 fps huh?

 

[mrcroket]

Welp, this appears to be the first and only decent way to play the game portably so far. Could they have made an update for the PC version to make it more bearable on PC handhelds? Probably? I'd be extremely disappointed if they simply choose not to ever do it, but ultimately I prefer playing the original anyway.

Now of course, there have been mods that try to help improve and stabilise performance, but I haven't personally tried any and feel that if they already put in the work, at least some of it should be possible to reuse in other versions.

It runs pretty decent and with much better graphic quality on the rog xbox ally x though

 

[K3Nv4]

Always this middle/low performance with this kind of port so we can hope for a "decent" experience in the end....

That's been the point of consoles from the start, console players don't always want to fidgit with settings and mods they just want to click a few buttons and enjoy the game can't really fault them for that.