Bethesda has found yet another way that it can re-release The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim to the masses. At the time of its original release in 2011, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was a groundbreaking open world experience that earned widespread critical acclaim and took home a number of awards. Often hailed as one of the best games ever made, Bethesda has made sure that Skyrim‘s legacy has continued by re-releasing the game as many times as possible.
Skyrim was originally released for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. Five years later, the Special Edition was released, bringing the game to PS4 and Xbox One with various upgrades and the DLC packed in. In 2017, Skyrim came to the Nintendo Switch and VR. In 2018, a version of Skyrim was even released for Amazon’s Alexa. In 2021, the Anniversary Edition launched for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, while the Switch 2 edition came at the end of last year as a digital-only release.
Skyrim Has a New Physical Release on Switch 2
Now there’s yet another way to purchase Skyrim. Bethesda has re-released the Switch 2 version of the game, but this time in a physical box with a code inside. Retailing for $59.99, this code-in-box version of Skyrim on Switch 2 is the Anniversary Edition of the game, which includes the massive base game, all three post-launch expansions, improved performance and visuals compared to the Switch 1 version of the game, and hundreds of Creation Club items. It being a code-in-box and not a cartridge is likely to ruffle feathers, though. As controversial as they are, it’s safe to say that there are many fans that would have even preferred a Game Key Card version of Skyrim on Switch 2 over the code-in-box route, but in any case, there’s yet another way to buy Skyrim if you want.
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Scratch & Peek

Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
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Skyrim isn’t the only Bethesda game that has released a code-in-box release on the Nintendo Switch 2. Fallout 4 has also gotten a fresh code-in-box physical release on Switch 2, with Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic open world game also receiving quite a few re-releases since its initial launch in 2015. Fallout 4 still has a ways to go before it catches up to Skyrim, but it is interesting to see how often Bethesda re-releases its most popular games.
Rumor has it that even more Bethesda games could be on their way to the Nintendo Switch 2. In fact, it’s been leaked multiple times that open world sci-fi RPG Starfield is coming to Switch 2, though an official announcement has yet to be made. If Starfield does come to Switch 2, one has to wonder if it will be another code-in-box situation or if it will get a proper cartridge for its physical version.
Drag weapons to fill the grid
Drag weapons to fill the grid
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While Switch 2 gamers wait for more news on future Bethesda games coming to the platform, they can check out the existing ones. However, since Skyrim is a code-in-box on Switch 2 in its latest iteration, one is probably better off simply buying the game digitally from the Nintendo eShop if they’re interested in taking its gigantic open world on the go. It’s also worth pointing out that those that own the Switch 1 version of the game can upgrade to the Switch 2 version for free.
- Released
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November 11, 2011
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
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Bethesda Softworks

