It’s hard to believe thatThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimwill have been released 14 years ago this November. Despite this date being such a long time ago,Skyrimis still the latest entry in Bethesda’s fantasy RPG series, and without any sign ofThe Elder Scrolls 6soon, there have been a lot of versions to keep the game up to date—but which one is best?
With five main versions spanning nine different platforms across three console generations, there can be significant trade-offs made to gameplay and fidelity. It should be noted that there is no wrong way to play. Each version has its pros and cons, and for some people, one that isn’t as popular as the rest may be their favorite for a specific feature. 2013’s Legendary Edition is not counted here, as it essentially repackaged the original game without substantial changes, nor theSkyrim “versions” for smart fridges, Alexa, or Etch A Sketch.
Skyrim VR
2017 - PC, PSVR
Skyrimhas always felt immersive, and having its frozen tundra at arm’s reach is a very compelling prospect. This 2017 edition brought a new level of reactivity to the game byporting all the original content toSkyrim VR, letting players cast spells, draw arrows, and grab NPCs using motion controls.
There are some limitations to be aware of, though. To not induce motion sickness, a high refresh rate is needed, meaning the visual quality is sharply reduced,particularly on the PlayStation 4Skyrim VRrelease. Objects will pop in frequently, textures are very low resolution, and the game can often appear blurry or smeary, depending on how the frames are interpolated. Even with boots on the ground, it can be hard to feel connected to a world that is constantly loading and unloading its details.
One saving grace forSkyrim VRistheSkyrimPC modding community. Almost all mods should work for the VR edition as long as they were made forthe Special Edition. The slew of regular mods alone is an improvement, but certain ones feel built for VR, such as the numerous voice command mods that let players cast shouts through a microphone. Naturally, modding can be intensive, and graphical mods that address the low image quality will necessitate a powerful PC, though today’s components should be more than up for the challenge.
Unfortunately, due to the less accessible nature of VR and the sacrifices made to the base game,Skyrim VRlands at the bottom of the list. It is not a bad way to play, just a limited one. With the right hardware and a good mod list, it delivers a tangibility to Tamriel that is impossible in any other format.
Skyrim’s 2011 ‘Vanilla’ Version
2011 - PC, PS3, Xbox 360
The original, the oldest, the best? Not quite. This release from 2011, affectionately labeledVanillaby many fans, has a somewhat mythical status in gaming at this point.Released five years afterOblivionon the same console generation,Skyrimwas a show of just how much Bethesda’s technology and technical skill had advanced while working within those limitations.Vanillaintroduced many PC players to modding for the first time, creating one of the largest communities of player-driven content in the world.
The impact was enormous, and its legacy may be enduring, but it has not been the best way to play for many years now. Being made for lower spec machines,Vanillahas significant technical limitations. PC players can overcome these with script extenders and mods, but sinceSpecial Editionwas released, the vast majority of modding support has moved to that version of the game.The originalSkyrimrelease paved the way, but it feels a little left behind nowadays.
Skyrim Special Edition
2016 - PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
The sameSkyrim, but ‘special.‘Special Editioncontains all the content of the original game,supported by graphical upgrades and engine improvements, making for a much more stable way to play. This version marked the first time thatSkyrimwas made available on new consoles, further cementing it as a household name and helping to bring in players who may not have played it on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
There are very few cons toSpecial Edition. Todd Howard may have made people a little bit excited when heteasedSkyrim’s Special Edition like it wasThe Elder Scrolls 6, but Bethesda made sure to gain as much goodwill as possible by giving all owners ofSkyrim’s PC release a free copy, one that did not override theVanillagame. To this day,Special Editionhas healthy mod support, sharing them withAnniversary Edition, and its wide availability on two console generations and PC makes it easy to find a copy.
Skyrim on Nintendo Switch
2017 - Switch
There were many reasons to be skeptical whenSkyrimwas revealed for the Nintendo Switch, but this version is surprisingly excellent. It takes a game that was made for the living room and lets it be taken anywhere. PlaySkyrimin the car, playSkyrimin a forest,playSkyrimin an underground ruin, even play it in the sky.
Essentially justSpecial Edition, the Switch version is impressive in how well it runs on a handheld of the time, making only a few small sacrifices to perform within the power constraints. Being a Nintendo platform release, it does not support mods,although theAnniversary Editioncontent is available on Switch. There is something to be said about enjoyingSkyrimwithout loads of mods, and the Switch makes a great case for this.
Skyrim Anniversary Edition
2021 - PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
To mark ten years sinceVanilla, Todd Howard capitalized on the memes and, figuring people would buy the game again, announcedAnniversary Editionin 2021.SkyrimAnniversary Editionis largely an upgrade to theSpecial Edition, it added fishing, some graphical enhancements, and a curated list of Creation Club mods. It was released separately, though owners of theSpecial Editioncould upgrade their copy for a lower price than buying the full game.
Still, it is not without issues.The addition of Creation Club contenthas been a hot-button issue for a few years. Some players dislike having the extra mods that they feel detract from the original vision, while plenty of others don’t mind. There were initial problems with mods breaking, which is mostly fixed today. Bethesda has also made moves to force the upgrade on PCSpecial Editionowners, which, given the history of breaking mods, has caused some frustration.
All told,Anniversary Editionis great. It is not strictly necessary to upgrade from a copy ofSpecial Edition, as that version is still up-to-date for anyone who doesn’t want the added extras. For everyone else,Anniversary Editioncan be considered the definitive package with the most content out of the box and access to all the same mods asSpecial Edition.
Skyrimwill turn 15 next year, which also marks 10 years sinceSpecial Editioncame out. Could there be anAnniversary Special Edition? Probably not, but it does feel like an April Fools’ joke ready to happen. Curious by its absence is a mobile port. Given that titles likeAssassin’s Creed Mirageare available on iOS, is it too much to imagine slaying bandits from the comfort of the toilet seat?
