Summary:
Oblivion has always had that “step outside and the world grabs you by the collar” energy, and now it’s headed to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is coming to the system, and the key detail is simple but huge: this version includes the base game and two of the most important story expansions, Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. That means you are not just getting the core adventure through Cyrodiil, you are getting the side stories that helped define why people still talk about Oblivion with that slightly unhinged sparkle in their eyes.
If you are new, think of it like this: Cyrodiil is a classic fantasy playground where you can follow the main quest, ignore it for 20 hours, and somehow end up the leader of a guild because you got distracted by a cave. If you are returning, the remastered framing matters because it signals modern upgrades aimed at making the experience feel smoother without sanding off what made Oblivion feel odd, charming, and occasionally hilarious. The trailer is the best place to catch the tone, but the announcement already tells us the important part: this is a full package landing on Switch 2 in 2026, built to welcome first-timers and pull veterans back through the gates.
Oblivion Remastered is coming to Switch 2 in 2026
Let’s start with the clean, practical headline: Bethesda has confirmed The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for Nintendo Switch 2, with a release window set for 2026. That matters because it moves this from wishful thinking into calendar territory. If you have been waiting for a reason to finally understand why people still quote Oblivion’s awkward conversations like they are fine cinema, this is your sign. If you played it years ago, this is the kind of news that makes you remember your first time leaving the sewers and seeing the world open up, like someone just unlatched a giant fantasy door. A 2026 launch also puts it in a sweet spot for players who want a meaty RPG they can take handheld, pick at in short sessions, and still feel like they made progress. Cyrodiil is built for wandering, and wandering is kind of a Nintendo handheld tradition at this point.
What Bethesda is actually bringing to Nintendo hardware
This is not just “an Elder Scrolls game shows up and that’s that.” Oblivion landing on Switch 2 is notable because it marks a major moment for the fourth main Elder Scrolls entry on a Nintendo platform. Bethesda is putting a spotlight on the remastered edition specifically, which signals they want the Switch 2 audience to meet Oblivion in its refreshed form, not as a dusty museum piece. That’s a big difference in vibe. It says: this is meant to be played now, talked about now, and shared now. And yes, it also means a whole new group of players will discover the joys of accidentally stealing a spoon, getting chased by guards, and thinking, “How did my life end up here?” That’s the Oblivion experience in a nutshell, and it hits even harder when you can suspend the system, come back later, and continue your personal spiral of side quests.
What’s included: base game plus two major expansions
Bethesda has confirmed that Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 includes the base game along with Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. If you are new, treat that as a bundled ticket to the core story and two of the most talked-about additions. Knights of the Nine leans into heroic, mythic fantasy flavor, giving you a strong “rise to the moment” arc that feels like it belongs in a legend someone tells at a tavern. Shivering Isles, on the other hand, is the strange dessert course, the part where the game looks you in the eye and says, “What if we got weird now?” It is often remembered for its distinct tone, memorable characters, and a setting that feels like a fever dream in the best way. Getting both expansions included means you are not piecing together the experience later or wondering what you missed. You get the full meal, and you get it in one place.
Knights of the Nine and why it still clicks
Knights of the Nine works because it scratches a very specific itch: the fantasy of earning a legendary identity through action, not just through your character sheet. It layers story and purpose on top of exploration, so you are not only wandering, you are building toward something. If you like the idea of an adventure that feels a bit more guided without becoming a straight hallway, it fits nicely into the broader sandbox. It also complements the base game’s “make your own path” style, because it gives you a strong path that you can still ignore whenever a random ruin catches your eye. That flexibility is the secret sauce. You can take it seriously, roleplay it, and feel like a proper hero, or you can take a detour for three hours because you saw a lighthouse and got curious. Both approaches feel valid, which is exactly how Oblivion likes it.
Shivering Isles and the side of Oblivion that goes off-script
Shivering Isles is the expansion people bring up when they want to explain that Oblivion is not only classic fantasy. It is also playful, unpredictable, and willing to lean into surreal storytelling. The setting has a strong identity, and that identity is not shy about being dramatic. If the base game is your traditional epic road trip, Shivering Isles is the moment the road signs start arguing with each other and you realize you are not in Kansas anymore. For Switch 2 players, that matters because it adds variety to the package. You can settle into Cyrodiil’s familiar rhythms, then pivot into something stranger when you want a change of tone. It keeps the experience fresh, and it is the kind of thing that makes you message a friend like, “You will not believe what just happened,” even if you cannot fully explain it without sounding like you ate a cursed sandwich.
Why Cyrodiil still works in 2026
Some worlds age poorly. Cyrodiil has always had a different advantage: it is built around curiosity. You are rewarded for poking at the edges, chasing rumors, and wandering into places you definitely should not be. That design holds up because it taps into a basic human impulse: we want to see what is over the next hill. Oblivion also has a mood that is hard to fake. It is earnest, occasionally goofy, and full of small stories that stick with you, like the kind of dream you remember for years even if it makes no sense on paper. On Switch 2, that kind of world can become a comfort game, the one you return to when you have 20 minutes and want to feel like you actually went somewhere. And if you have never played it, you are in for that classic moment where you start with a plan, then the plan immediately collapses because you found a door, heard a rumor, or decided you absolutely need to join a guild right now.
The remaster angle: rebuilt and modernized expectations
Oblivion Remastered is positioned as a modernized way to experience a 2006 classic. The key thing to keep in mind is what “remastered” means in practice here: a refreshed presentation and updates aimed at making the experience feel better to play today. That matters because nostalgia is not enough if the moment-to-moment feel fights you. A cleaner interface, improved responsiveness, and a more modern presentation can turn “I respect this game” into “I’m actually having fun with this game.” And fun is the whole point, right? The best remasters do not try to rewrite history. They try to remove friction so the personality shines through. Oblivion has personality in bulk. The world, the quests, the oddball conversations, the sudden chaos when something goes wrong, it all benefits when the wrapper feels more current. Switch 2 is also a natural fit for a refreshed RPG because the form factor supports long adventures without chaining you to one room.
What a modernized interface changes for real people
A modernized interface is not glamorous, but it is one of those upgrades you feel every minute. It is the difference between enjoying your time and wrestling a menu like it owes you money. In a game like Oblivion, you spend a lot of time checking items, managing gear, reading quest notes, and bouncing between goals. If those actions are smoother, you stay immersed. You stay in the world. That is especially important on a handheld system, where you might be playing in shorter bursts and you want the game to respect your time. A cleaner flow also helps newcomers. If you have never touched an older Elder Scrolls entry, a sharper UI can make the learning curve feel like a hill instead of a wall. And once you get comfortable, you can focus on the fun decisions, like whether you should be a noble warrior, a sneaky thief, or a chaotic gremlin who “borrows” everything that is not nailed down.
How updated presentation can shift the whole vibe
Presentation is not just graphics. It is mood, clarity, and how easy it is to read the world at a glance without feeling lost. Oblivion is packed with forests, ruins, towns, and dungeons that rely on atmosphere to sell the fantasy. When that atmosphere lands, the game pulls you in like a campfire story you do not want to end. A refreshed look can make familiar places feel new again for returning players, while also giving first-timers a more modern first impression. And yes, it also matters for the trailer moment. People decide whether they care in seconds. If the visuals and overall feel communicate “this is worth your time,” you win that first battle. After that, Oblivion usually takes over on its own. It is good at making you say, “Just one more quest,” and then suddenly it is midnight.
How the Switch 2 version fits into the wider release plan
Oblivion Remastered already exists on other platforms, and the Switch 2 version is arriving as a 2026 release. That timing suggests a deliberate approach: bring the remastered package to Nintendo’s newer hardware in a window where it can be a headline RPG for players who want something big to live with for weeks. It also means we can talk about what is included with confidence, because Bethesda has stated the base game and the two major expansions are part of the package. From a player perspective, this is the best kind of release plan. You do not have to guess what edition you need to buy or which add-ons matter. You can simply plan your playtime, clear a little space in your schedule, and accept that your backlog is about to get ignored. We have all been there. The only difference is that this time, the excuse is Cyrodiil.
Who this is for: newcomers vs returning players
If you are new, Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 is basically an invitation to experience a famous RPG without the baggage of older expectations. You do not need to know the series lore by heart. You just need a willingness to explore, experiment, and occasionally laugh when the game does something unexpectedly weird. If you are returning, the appeal is different. You already know the broad strokes, so you are here for the feel: the updated presentation, the chance to roam again, and the comfort of a world that once ate dozens of your hours. Switch 2 also changes how you can play. Being able to pick up the system, do a quest, put it down, and come back later is a perfect match for the game’s structure. It turns Oblivion into something you can live with casually while still making real progress. And let’s be honest, it also makes it easier to justify starting “just one more character.”
Newcomer mindset: how not to bounce off in the first hours
Oblivion’s opening can feel like it is politely handing you a lot of systems at once. The trick is to not treat it like homework. Pick a playstyle that sounds fun and commit for a while, even if it is not optimal. Wander. Join a guild if it feels exciting. Talk to people and follow a rumor. The game is at its best when you let it surprise you. Also, do not stress about doing everything in the “correct” order. Oblivion is the kind of RPG where doing things out of order often creates the most memorable stories. You might walk into a situation unprepared and barely survive, then tell that story like it was intentional. That is part of the charm. On Switch 2, that flexible play rhythm should feel natural. Short sessions still deliver little wins, like a completed quest, a new spell, or a new town discovered.
Returning player mindset: how to make it feel fresh again
If you have played Oblivion before, you probably have habits. You know which guild you rush to, which skills you favor, and which early-game route you always take. The best way to make it feel fresh is to break one of those habits on purpose. Try a build you never touched. Make different moral choices. Focus on a different region of the map earlier than you normally would. Even small changes can reshape your experience because the game’s quests and wandering moments stack up in unique ways. You can also use the included expansions as a pacing tool. Instead of saving everything for “later,” you can weave them into your play. Think of it like taking scenic detours on a road trip instead of driving straight to the destination. You still get there, but the stories along the way become the point.
Practical tips for starting strong in Cyrodiil
Oblivion gives you freedom fast, and freedom is both exciting and slightly dangerous. A few practical habits can make the early hours smoother without turning the experience into a checklist. First, pick a direction you genuinely want to explore and stick with it long enough to build confidence. Second, do not ignore your basic supplies. Healing, repair, and simple preparation matter more than fancy gear early on. Third, talk to NPCs and pay attention to the small prompts the world gives you, because many of the best quests begin like casual gossip. Also, embrace failure a little. Oblivion is famous for moments where things go sideways, and those moments often become the stories you remember. If you get in over your head, retreat, regroup, and come back stronger. That is not “playing wrong.” That is playing an Elder Scrolls game the way it wants to be played: messy, personal, and occasionally heroic by accident.
Quick checklist for day-one setup
If you want a simple way to start without overthinking, keep it basic. Spend your first stretch learning how your character feels in combat or stealth, then commit to a few core skills you actually enjoy using. Make sure you can reliably heal, either through items, spells, or smart resting, because early dungeons can punish overconfidence. Pick up a small stash of lockpicks if you like poking into places you should not be, because curiosity and locked doors tend to travel together. Save regularly, not because you are scared, but because Oblivion sometimes creates chaos like a cat knocking over a glass. Finally, let yourself be distracted. The game is designed to tempt you off the main path, and that is where its personality lives. If a side quest sounds interesting, take it. You will not regret it, even if it turns into a strange saga you did not see coming.
What to watch for in the trailer
The trailer is your quick way to calibrate expectations about tone, presentation, and that classic Oblivion flavor. Watch for how Cyrodiil is framed, how character scenes are presented, and how the overall mood lands. Oblivion has a specific charm that comes from its earnest fantasy vibe mixed with moments that feel unintentionally funny. The best scenario is that the trailer communicates confidence: this is still Oblivion, but it is being shown in a way that feels current. Also pay attention to what the trailer emphasizes. If it focuses on world shots and atmosphere, it is leaning into immersion. If it highlights action and systems, it is leaning into play feel. Either way, the trailer is a signal, not a rulebook. Oblivion is the kind of RPG that reveals itself through play, through wandering, and through the weird little stories you create. The trailer is simply the first step through the gate.
What we can safely say about timing and availability
Here is what is solid: Oblivion Remastered is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, and it is scheduled for release in 2026. Bethesda has also stated that the package includes the base game and the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions. Beyond that, it is smarter to stay grounded. A 2026 window can still mean many different months, and platform releases often settle into clearer dates later. The good news is that the core decision is already made for you: if you want Oblivion on Switch 2, you can plan for it this year and know what you are getting in terms of major story additions. In the meantime, the best move is simple. If you have never played Oblivion, get ready for a fantasy playground that rewards curiosity. If you have played it, get ready to lose track of time again, because Cyrodiil has a way of making “just a quick session” turn into a full evening.
Conclusion
Oblivion Remastered coming to Switch 2 in 2026 is the kind of announcement that hits two different crowds at once: the people who have been waiting for a good reason to finally play it, and the people who already know they are going to start a new character and pretend they will do things differently this time. With the base game plus Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles included, this is set up as a full, satisfying package, not a half-step. The trailer gives you a taste, but the real magic will come from the familiar Elder Scrolls rhythm: wander, get distracted, stumble into a quest you did not plan, and end up with a story you will tell later like it was totally under control. Cyrodiil is calling, and Switch 2 is about to make answering that call a lot easier.
FAQs
- Is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2?
- Yes. Bethesda and Nintendo have confirmed Oblivion Remastered is coming to Nintendo Switch 2.
- When will Oblivion Remastered release on Switch 2?
- It is scheduled to release in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Does the Switch 2 version include the major expansions?
- Yes. Bethesda has stated it includes Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles alongside the base game.
- Is this a good entry point if we have never played an Elder Scrolls game?
- Yes. Oblivion is built around exploration and choice, and the remastered edition is positioned as a modern way to experience it.
- Where can we watch the official trailer?
- You can watch the official trailer on Bethesda’s YouTube channel.
Sources
- Latest Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase features new and classic titles coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, Nintendo.com, February 5, 2026
- Bethesda Games Coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Bethesda.net, February 5, 2026
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Opens A Gate To Switch 2, Game Informer, February 5, 2026
- Oblivion Remastered Is Adventuring Onto Switch 2 This Year, Nintendo Life, February 5, 2026
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Official Trailer, YouTube (Bethesda), April 2025
