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Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Brendan Lowry

Xbox's Starfield gets Nintendo Switch 2 rating days after its PS5 release, keeping hopes for a port of Bethesda's RPG alive — here's what we know

Starfield.

One of Microsoft and Xbox's highest-profile console exclusives in recent memory, Bethesda Game Studios' colossal sci-fi space exploration RPG Starfield, made its way to PS5 last week. Its release on that platform was long awaited, and many believed it might never come — but days later, it's looking like it may already be heading to another system, too.

That revelation came when a new rating for the game was spotted on the Taiwan Entertainment Software Rating Information (you can search for it yourself here to see it). Specifically, alongside listings for the Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5, the new rating is for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Curiously, the rating lists April 15, 2026 — the day I'm writing this — as the release date for Starfield on the Nintendo Switch 2. The PS5 version's listing displays the same day, however, so it's clear that this is an error.

Notably, it's been rumored that Starfield is getting a Switch 2 version for a long time now, though there are fears that it's been canceled. In February, the reputable industry insider Shinobi602 commented that compared to the PS5 port, the Switch 2 one was delayed, "And might not even come out at all."

Then, in March, another credible insider NateTheHate said Starfield's Switch 2 version is "in development," but added that "it hasn't been a smooth process," and that fans interested in it should "Cross fingers and hope for the best."

Many are hopeful for a port of Starfield on Nintendo Switch 2, but would it even run well? (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

This new rating has, at the very least, given hopeful Switch 2 owners reason to believe that a port of Starfield is still in the works, though many are worried that even if it does eventually come out, it ultimately won't provide a good experience.

In the days following the game's arrival on PS5, numerous players reported severe performance and crashing issues, prompting Bethesda to state that it's working on a hotfix on social media. Switch 2 users fear the game will run even worse on their system since it has less performant hardware.

Still, folks are hopeful for a good port of Starfield on Nintendo's handheld console, especially since other Bethesda games have come to Switch, or are coming. Skyrim released on the platform in 2017, the Anniversary Edition of Fallout 4 launched on Switch 2 in February, and Oblivion Remastered is slated to come to Switch 2 at some point in 2026.

I expect Starfield, with its vast world maps and space areas, would be considerably trickier to adapt to the Switch 2's hardware compared to Bethesda's other RPGs. I'd guess that's the reason why the rumored port has been difficult to develop thus far, though ultimately, that's just speculation.

Regardless, I hope whatever issues hampering the creation of a Switch 2 version are able to be ironed out, and that Starfield eventually makes its way to Nintendo's system. Until then, it can be played on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5, with the game accessible through Xbox Game Pass on the former two platforms.

Does the idea of Starfield on Nintendo Switch 2 make you excited, or are you not interested? Let me know if you'd play a Switch 2 version in the comments, and vote in our poll:

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

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