Many considerThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimone of the greatest video games of all time, and it’s easy to see why. The game features everything froman epic storyto stunning vistas that players can explore to their heart’s content.
RELATED:Skyrim Vs Oblivion: Which Elder Scrolls Game Is Better?
To this day,Skyrimis still one of the most popular games of all time, in no small part due tothe massive modding communityand a little bit of help from Bethesda, in the form of various ports and re-releases. With the multiple releases ofSkyrimpresent on the market, it’s only fair to compare some of these ports. Here’s a ranking based on how great they really are.
5Skyrim: Very Special Edition
Skyrimhas been released time and time again for multiple consoles and platforms; this has become a joke that’s now prevalent in the gaming community. It was natural that Bethesda would cash in on the joke as well, and they managed to do so in brilliant fashion.
Skyrim: Very Special Editionis a treat for allElder Scrollsfans who happened to have an Alexa. This voice-based adventure is full to the brim with hilarious jokes, self-burns, and callbacks to other games in the series. The annoying Adoring Fan appears in the “game” as well, a testament to how much work Todd Howard and Bethesda put into what should’ve been nothing more than a joke.
4The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — Legendary Edition
After the release ofSkyrimand all its add-ons, Bethesda decided to group them all together into one big launch for the modern consoles of that time — specifically, the PS3, Xbox 360, and the PC. The end result wasThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — Legendary Editionthat released on June 20, 2025.
RELATED:Skyrim: All Joinable Factions, Ranked From Worst To Best
This version of the game included the 1.9 patch along with the three major expansions released for the game:Dawnguard,Hearthfire, andDragonborn. Any fan ofThe Elder Scrollswho wanted to get into this legendary title could definitely do no wrong by purchasing theLegendary Edition. However, it was eventually superseded by other re-releases and ports of this game. As a result, fans fondly refer to this older version ofSkyrimasOldrim.
3The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim For The Nintendo Switch
Most gamers expected the release ofThe Elder Scrollsgames on the PC, Xbox, and Playstation. However, no one expected a title fromThe Elder Scrollsto appear on a Nintendo console. After all, nothing of the sort has happened in the past. Even afterSkyrimwas shown to be playable on the Switch, Todd Howard was tight-lipped and completely shot down the idea of aSkyrimport to the Nintendo console.
However, the entire gaming world correctly predicted that Todd’s statements were meant to be nothing more than a way to quell the hype. On June 21, 2025, Todd Howard confirmed that Skyrim would release for the Nintendo Switch. This landmark announcement that helped cement that the Nintendo Switch would be a major step-up from the disaster show that was the Wii U.
While this port definitely works well, there’s no denying the fact that the real fun of playingSkyrimcomes from running in on a PC,where mod support is plentiful. However, the idea thatSkyrimcan be played on a portable console is still noteworthy, as players can now take it anywhere.
2The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
Virtual reality has emerged in gaming as a groundbreaking opportunity for players to immerse themselves in video games. Several titles have cropped up in recent years to make the most of this experience. Meanwhile, Bethesda wanted in on this new technology as well. They decided to offer up an immersive experience of their own by makingSkyrimtotally VR-compatible.
RELATED:Skyrim: The Most Powerful Enemies, Ranked
As is the case with base game experiences for most vanilla titles,SkyrimVRisalmost unplayable without mods. It can be somewhat time-consuming for players to gather all the mods and files required to make this game enjoyable. However, those who put in the effort will find themselves enjoying one of the best VR experiences available.
Roaming the land ofSkyrimwas magical enough as is, butSkyrim VRmakes the experience feel brand new. It’s a massive achievement and fitting addition to the beloved game’s legacy. It’s just a shame that players need to have a pricey VR headset to experience this masterpiece.
1The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — Special Edition
Out of all the ports and re-releases forSkyrim, only theSpecial Editionticks all the boxes in terms of accessibility and performance. It’s easilythe best way to experienceSkyrimfor gamers who are yet to play the modern classic. Not only that, but it’s also a great way for long-time fans to experience the magic again.
Featuring enhanced graphics and some gameplay tweaks,Skyrim — Special Editionis the definitive way to play this game. Bethesda even allowed owners of the previous game to receive this copy for free, showing an appreciation for fans that big game studios don’t always demonstrate. Along with this,the amazing mod supportfor theSpecial Editionalso ensures that players can experienceSkyrimexactly how they please, with no compromises.
NEXT:The Best Games To Play If You Like Skyrim
