FromSoftware’s Elden Ring arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new Tarnished Edition on August 28th, bringing the 2022 open-world hit and its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion to the hybrid console for the first time. The port, tested by The Verge ahead of launch, targets players who missed the original release or want a portable way to revisit the Lands Between. The Switch 2 version arrives ahead of The Duskbloods, FromSoftware’s upcoming gothic competitive multiplayer title, giving owners a chance to sample the studio’s work on the new hardware.
The Tarnished Edition is largely the same game that captivated players in 2022, with the shift in platform serving as the main draw. The Verge’s reviewer, who spent dozens of hours on the PS5 version at launch, logged about 10 hours with the Switch 2 port. The experience in the early game remains unforgiving, with the player character starting as a weak Tarnished facing deadly foes like a mounted gladiator that can kill in one swipe. Progress was slow but steady, including defeating the first major boss, Margit the Fell Omen, and reaching the Roundtable for an encounter with Fia.
Performance on the Switch 2 holds up well despite the hardware’s limitations. The Verge reported no stuttering or frame rate drops in either portable or TV mode, though characters appear less detailed and some textures look muddy or washed out. These visual shortcomings are superficial and faded from notice during exploration, the review noted. The only notable drawback was occasional long load times, which did not detract from the overall experience.
The port highlights how open-world games fit the Switch 2’s hybrid design, a strength Nintendo established with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Switch. The extra horsepower of the newer console has already supported ports of large titles like Cyberpunk 2077. Elden Ring serves as a demanding test case, where stable frame rates and clear graphics matter for survival in combat and avoiding ambushes.
The Verge’s reviewer found the portable mode particularly compelling, using short sessions to clear enemy camps or find Sites of Grace before settling in for longer TV play. This flexibility made the sprawling adventure easier to fit into daily life. The reviewer called the Switch 2 edition potentially their favorite way to play, despite it not being the most technically impressive version of the game.
For US players waiting on The Duskbloods, the Tarnished Edition offers a familiar FromSoftware experience to bridge the gap. The port demonstrates that the Switch 2 can handle demanding games without compromising the core experience. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition launches on the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28th.
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