Skyrim Switch 2 Version Just Got a New Update

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A new update has been released for The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, but it’s only available for players on the Switch 2. It’s impressive to see the game still receiving support after being first launched in 2011 and re-released in various editions over the past decade. Even in 2026, Skyrim remains popular and relevant.

The story of Skyrim goes beyond its different releases and versions. It’s also a story of a dedicated community that has kept the game thriving through shared stories, continuous improvements, and, most importantly, mods. Although Bethesda hasn’t released major new quests or story content in years, the Skyrim modding community is still very active, and players continue to spend countless hours discovering and reinventing the game.

Update 1.2 Focuses on Stability and Performance

As a huge Skyrim fan, I was so excited to hear about Update 1.2 for the Switch 2! It sounds like Bethesda really listened to player feedback. The big news is a new 60Hz mode, which is awesome. But it’s not just about that – they’ve been working on making the game run better overall and fixing bugs. Now, in the settings, you can choose whether you want the game to look its best or run as smoothly as possible. If you pick ‘Prioritize Visuals’, it’ll stick to 30 frames per second for a more stable look, but if you want things to be super smooth, you can switch to ‘Prioritize Performance’ and aim for 60fps. It’s great they’re giving us that choice!

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This update includes a new display option and fixes many crashes and performance issues. Visuals have been improved for water, distant plants, and when moving between caves. The update also makes the game more consistent whether you’re using a mouse and keyboard or a controller on the Switch 2. Several bugs with highlights, prompts, and menus have been fixed, and controlling the game and remapping buttons is now smoother. Haptic feedback and responsiveness have also been improved. Finally, the update includes audio fixes, better translations, and some minor credits updates.

Image via Bethesda

This update isn’t happening in isolation; Skyrim has remained incredibly popular for years. The Anniversary Edition brought renewed excitement to the game on current consoles, and its upcoming release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in late 2025 proves fans still love playing as their Dragonborn on the go. Even considering Bethesda’s future plans, including the long-awaited The Elder Scrolls 6, Skyrim‘s enduring success shows it’s become more than just a game – it’s a lasting part of gaming history.

It’s amazing how much Skyrim has evolved! First launched in 2011, it’s been remastered for each new gaming generation, passionately supported by modders, and is still receiving updates as of 2026. Consider the incredible fan-created content, like massive underwater cities, or the ability to design your own spells. That’s the unique charm of Bethesda’s world-building at its finest.

While Bethesda shares updates about The Elder Scrolls 6 and plans for the future of RPGs, Skyrim remains incredibly popular. Many players still love exploring its world, and for them, revisiting it can be just as exciting as playing a brand-new game. If you have Skyrim on the Switch 2, this update is worth checking out to see how the improvements enhance the experience.

Skyrim Switch 2 Update 1.2 Notes (February 17, 2026)

Features:

  • Added a 60 Hz mode under Display settings that allows players to toggle between “Prioritize Visuals” or “Prioritize Performance”.
  • In addition, frame rate has been locked at 30 Hz in “Prioritize Visuals” mode for smoother gameplay.

Crashes and Performance Fixes:

  • Fixed a crash that occurred when reading “The Crimson Dirks Vol. 4” book for the “Tilted Scales” quest in German.
  • Fixed an audio-related crash.
  • Fixed a crash, infinite load, and game freeze that sometimes occurred when rapidly selecting “Load” multiple times in the pause menu.
  • Fixed a crash that occurred when the “Transmute Ore” spell was repeatedly cast outside of the Haltered Stream Camp.

Improved FPS performance drops that occurred in the following locations:

  • during the Hide and Seek quest in Kynesgrove
  • during combat at Secunda’s Kiss
  • when discovering the “Drelas’ Cottage” location
  • when engaged in combat with a giant at the Talking Stone Camp.

Visuals Issues Fixes:

  • Viewing water planes from a distance or within menus caused them to shift up and down.
  • Distant aspen trees appeared with a blue tint.
  • Transitioning out of caves caused an outline of the entrance to linger during the fade-to-back loading screen.

User Interface Fixes:

  • Switching between mouse and controller mode while in dialogue or the Help menu, caused different options to be highlighted.
  • Switching between mouse and controller mode while in help menus or user hints, did not dynamically update callout prompts.
  • The “Ready/Sheathe” option was missing from the Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls menu.
  • The “Delete” prompt remained grayed-out within the Load menu when swapping between mouse and controller mode.
  • Deleting a save in the Save/Load menus reset the highlighted selection to the top of the menu list.
  • While in mouse mode, the cursor remained stuck within a smaller section of the screen when changing between docked/undocked modes or interfacing with GameChat.

Controls Fixes:

  • The “Eagle Eye” Archery perk remained active after switching between mouse and controller mode.
  • Holding down the Right Joystick while reassigning a button caused that button to disappear from the Controls list.
  • The Joy-Con 2 controllers provided haptic feedback while in mouse mode.
  • Buttons became unresponsive when controls were remapped while moving the Joy-Con 2 controllers in mouse mode.
  • Rotating the map in mouse mode was slower and less smooth than in controller mode.

Audio Issue Fix:

  • Scrolling SFX continued to play while holding up or down on the Left Joystick or buttons at the top or bottom of the Save/Load menus.

Localization Fixes:

  • “Amiibo” appeared as plural in Spanish.

Miscellaneous:

  • Added new translations for the features listed above and UI updates.
  • Updates were made to the game credits.

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2026-02-18 12:05