Skyrim came out in 2011 and has been re-released for almost every platform. If you are buying now, you mostly choose between the Special Edition and the Anniversary Edition. The prices and specs below come from the Steam store data and Wikipedia.
Key takeaways
- Special Edition: $39.99 on Steam (US).
- Anniversary Edition: $49.99, includes 74 Creation Club items, plus fishing and aquariums.
- All the DLC, Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn, is in both editions.
- PC needs are low: 8 GB RAM and 12 GB of storage.
- Switch 2: Anniversary Edition since December 9, 2025, $19.99 upgrade from the Switch version.
The editions compared
| Edition | Steam price (US) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Special Edition | $39.99 | Base game and all three DLCs, with upgraded visuals and mod support |
| Anniversary Edition | $49.99 | Special Edition plus 74 Creation Club items, fishing and aquariums |
The Legendary Edition from 2013 bundled the base game with Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn on older platforms. Prices change with sales, so check Steam.
PC system requirements (Steam)
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 64-bit | Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-750 or AMD Phenom II X4-945 | Intel i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| GPU | GTX 470 1 GB or HD 7870 2 GB | GTX 780 3 GB or R9 290 4 GB |
| Storage | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Steam still lists Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, and we did not find newer Windows details. An August 2026 update mentions a Steam Deck crash fix.
Skyrim on Nintendo Switch 2
The Anniversary Edition for Switch 2 launched on December 9, 2025. Bethesda lists $59.99 for new buyers, a $19.99 upgrade from Switch Skyrim, and a free upgrade if you own the Switch Anniversary Edition. It includes Master Sword, Hylian Shield and Champion's Tunic items, supports DLSS, mouse and motion controls and amiibo. Wikipedia lists a Metacritic score of 60 for the Switch 2 version against 84 for the original Switch version, so check current reviews. The Switch version has no official mods.
Which one to choose?
- You want the cheapest way in: the Special Edition.
- You want extra quests, items and fishing: the Anniversary Edition.
- You want to play on Switch 2: check the Nintendo eShop for your country's price and upgrade offer.
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