Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is set to release later this year, bringing FromSoftware's widely-lauded open-world opus to the Nintendo Switch 2. This is an exciting prospect for many, especially those who skipped the phenomenal game at launch due to their chosen hardware, but early impressions of Elden Ring on Switch 2 forecast cloudy skies ahead.
Indeed, as reported by outlets like IGN and Nintendo Life, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition runs like molasses, and looks about as messy. Those who got their hands on the game at this year's Gamescom have described it as shockingly bad, with Nintendo Life's Felix Sanchez characterizing its FPS as being "like 20 frames a second," even dipping to 15 in some areas. Textures have also been called muddy and low-resolution—the game doesn't appear to trade performance for visual fidelity. This news is particularly disappointing when measured against the rest of the handheld market: platforms like the Steam Deck have been able to run Elden Ring without issue for several years now, so this paints the Switch 2 in a bad light. However, there's reason to believe that this present shoddiness falls on FromSoftware's shoulders, which could pose a big problem moving forward.
FromSoftware did not allow any recording of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition at Gamescom, a move that supports allegations of the game's poor technical state.
FromSoftware Needs to Get a Grip on Switch 2 Hardware Before The Duskbloods
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition Paints a Grim Picture of Nintendo-FromSoftware Relations
Nintendo and FromSoftware haven't always had the closest working relationship, with Dark Souls Remastered being the only major release of the studio's to land on the original Switch. But it would appear that the companies are looking to cozy up, as evidenced by this Elden Ring port, but also by The Duskbloods, a PvPvE FromSoft soulslike launching exclusively for the Switch 2.
For FromSoftware to commit to Nintendo in this manner, after years of mutual aloofness, sends a strong message, one that would have been exciting if not for this recent Elden Ring news. If Elden Ring can't run smoothly on the Switch 2, then what hope is there for Duskbloods, an open-world game with more significant multiplayer systems? With Duskbloods planned for a 2026 release, FromSoftware will need to inspire greater confidence from gamers, especially those who shelled out for a Switch 2 expecting a powerful exclusive from the developer.
The Duskbloods Will Probably Run Better Than Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, but FromSoftware Needs Damage Control Anyway
In cases like these, it's crucial to remember how complex game development often is; there could be any number of factors contributing to Elden Ring's poor performance on Switch 2, and circumstances will be different for The Duskbloods. Most importantly, The Duskbloods is being developed exclusively for the Switch 2, so FromSoftware will be able to design the game with the console's various quirks in mind. And of course, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition's performance woes could actually teach FromSoftware valuable lessons about developing for the Switch 2, making this snafu a long-term advantage.
But from a business perspective, FromSoftware is going to need to hammer down on Elden Ring before its public Switch 2 launch. If the company's first big collaboration with Nintendo in years is defined by its poor performance, it will leave a bad, lingering taste in the mouth ahead of Duskbloods. In other words, FromSoftware and the Switch 2 need to get off on the right foot, or else face a severe uphill battle when trying to sell The Duskbloods. If a game like Cyberpunk 2077 can run well on Switch 2, then there should be a way to bring Elden Ring up to snuff.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- FromSoftware
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition includes the original game Elden Ring, the expansion Shadow of the Erdtree, and new armor and customization features for Torrent’s appearance. The Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.
Journey through the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential Dark Souls video game series, and George R. R. Martin, author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire.
Unravel the mysteries of the Elden Ring’s power. Encounter adversaries with profound backgrounds, characters with their own unique motivations for helping or hindering your progress, and fearsome creatures.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- How Long To Beat
- 100 hours
