In a move that addresses long-standing complaints from gamers, Nvidia has released a new driver for its RTX 50-series graphics cards, restoring support for the PhysX technology in several popular older titles. The update, version 591.44, enables full GPU acceleration for games like Borderlands 2 and Mirror’s Edge, which had been running suboptimally on the latest hardware since its launch earlier this year.
The RTX 50-series GPUs, Nvidia's flagship graphics processors introduced in the spring of 2024, initially launched without compatibility for PhysX, a physics simulation engine that enhances visual effects such as shattering glass, flowing liquids, and dynamic smoke in games. This omission stemmed from the cards' decision to drop support for 32-bit CUDA, the computing platform underlying PhysX, leaving many legacy titles to rely on less efficient CPU processing. As a result, enthusiasts upgrading to the new hardware found themselves facing performance dips, with frame rates in affected games like Borderlands 2 falling below 60 frames per second during PhysX-heavy scenes.
PhysX, originally developed by Ageia and acquired by Nvidia in 2008, became a staple in mid-2000s and early 2010s gaming, powering immersive environmental interactions in titles from major studios. Games such as Batman: Arkham City used it to simulate realistic cape physics and debris destruction, while Mirror’s Edge leveraged the technology for fluid parkour animations and breaking elements. The absence of this support on RTX 50-series cards frustrated the retro gaming community, who valued the authenticity of these experiences on modern setups.
Nvidia acknowledged the issue in response to vocal feedback from users. “We heard the feedback from the community, and with the launch of our new driver today, we are adding custom support for GeForce gamers’ most played PhysX-accelerated games, enabling full performance on GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, in line with our existing PhysX support on prior-generation GPUs,” the company stated in an official announcement.
The new driver introduces tailored fixes for a select group of nine high-profile games, ensuring they can once again utilize GPU acceleration without compromise. According to Nvidia, the supported titles include Alice: Madness Returns, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins, Borderlands 2, Mafia II, Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, and Mirror’s Edge. These selections reflect the most frequently played PhysX-dependent games among current GeForce users, based on Nvidia's telemetry data.
Prior to this update, players on RTX 50-series hardware experienced noticeable degradation in visual fidelity and performance. In Borderlands 2, for instance, the game's cel-shaded world and explosive combat sequences lost their signature smoothness when PhysX effects defaulted to CPU handling, leading to stuttering and reduced immersion. Similarly, Mirror’s Edge, known for its first-person traversal through a dystopian cityscape, saw diminished realism in elements like tumbling crates and reflective surfaces, which PhysX originally animated with high precision.
The decision to implement "custom support" rather than a full reinstatement of 32-bit CUDA highlights Nvidia's targeted approach. While this resolves issues for the listed games, it leaves a broader library of PhysX titles in limbo. Forum discussions on sites like ResetEra have cataloged more than 40 games impacted by the initial omission, including lesser-known entries from the era. Community members there expressed mixed reactions, with some praising the partial fix as a step forward, while others lamented the incomplete coverage.
Looking ahead, Nvidia has outlined plans to extend support to Batman: Arkham Asylum, the 2009 precursor to the series' later installments, in the first quarter of 2026. The company provided no timeline or details for additional titles, suggesting that comprehensive PhysX revival across all affected games remains unlikely. This phased rollout aligns with Nvidia's ongoing driver optimization strategy, which prioritizes contemporary titles and high-usage legacy content.
PhysX's history underscores the challenges of maintaining backwards compatibility in an industry driven by rapid hardware evolution. Once a selling point for Nvidia cards, the technology peaked in popularity around 2010, appearing in over 140 games by some estimates. However, as game engines shifted toward more universal middleware like Havok or Unreal Engine's built-in physics, PhysX usage waned. Its revival for RTX 50-series speaks to Nvidia's responsiveness to niche but dedicated audiences, even as the company focuses on AI-driven features like DLSS and ray tracing in newer releases.
Gamers can download the Game Ready Driver 591.44 directly from Nvidia's website or via the Nvidia App, the company's unified software platform for driver management and game optimization. The update is compatible with all RTX 50-series models, including the high-end RTX 5090 and more affordable RTX 5060 variants, ensuring broad accessibility for users who have already invested in the lineup.
This development comes amid a competitive landscape where AMD and Intel are pushing their own GPU advancements, often emphasizing seamless legacy support. Nvidia's partial restoration of PhysX could bolster its reputation among preservationists and modders, who frequently revisit classics on modern rigs. Yet, for those with extensive libraries of older PhysX games, the fix offers only partial relief, prompting calls for more inclusive updates in online discussions.
The gaming community's response has been cautiously optimistic. On ResetEra, threads tracking PhysX compatibility noted the driver's release with enthusiasm, though users pointed out gaps, such as the exclusion of titles like Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason or Dark Void, which also relied heavily on the engine. One forum contributor remarked that while the top games are covered, "it's a band-aid on a much larger wound for true retro enthusiasts." Nvidia has not commented further on expanding the list beyond the announced plans.
Beyond immediate gameplay improvements, this driver update reinforces the importance of software ecosystem health in hardware sales. As RTX 50-series adoption grows— with shipments reportedly exceeding 5 million units since launch—issues like PhysX compatibility could influence buyer sentiment. Analysts have observed that such oversights, though minor in the grand scheme, amplify in echo chambers of gaming forums, potentially swaying perceptions of Nvidia's commitment to its user base.
In the context of broader tech trends, Nvidia's handling of PhysX illustrates the tension between innovation and legacy. The RTX 50-series excels in cutting-edge applications, from 8K gaming to machine learning workloads, but moments like this remind developers and consumers alike of the value in bridging old and new. As the company prepares for its next driver releases, eyes will be on whether community pressure yields further concessions for the PhysX catalog.
Ultimately, while not a complete solution, Nvidia's latest driver marks a meaningful concession to gamers preserving digital history. For players of Borderlands 2 or Mirror’s Edge, it means recapturing the full spectacle of PhysX-enhanced worlds on state-of-the-art hardware—a small but satisfying victory in the ever-advancing march of technology.