Elden Ring has arrived on Nintendo hardware for the first time. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition launched today on Nintendo Switch 2 with a Metacritic score of 91 — Universal Acclaim across 41 reviews — and a 100% recommendation rate on OpenCritic. FromSoftware and Bandai Namco's complete package includes the 2022 GOTY base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and a set of new content that didn't exist on any platform before today.
It's a significant moment for the Switch 2 library: a 30-million-seller, one of the highest-rated games ever made, now portable.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Elden Ring Tarnished Edition |
| Developer | FromSoftware |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Release Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Price | US$79.99 / £64.99 |
| Includes | Base game + Shadow of the Erdtree + new content |
| File Size | 41 GB |
| Metacritic | 91 — Universal Acclaim (41 reviews) |
| OpenCritic | 88 / 100% Recommended |
What's in the Tarnished Edition
The bundle covers everything released for Elden Ring plus two pieces of content making their debut alongside the Switch 2 launch.
| Content | Notes |
|---|---|
| Elden Ring (base game) | Full Lands Between open world, 60–100+ hours |
| Shadow of the Erdtree | The critically acclaimed 2024 expansion (Metacritic 95 for DLC) |
| Heavy Knight class | New starting class — high defense, strength-focused |
| Idus Knight class | New starting class — agility and magic hybrid |
| 3 Torrent skins | Cosmetic customization for your Spectral Steed |
| 4 armor sets | New gear sets, also available on other platforms |
The two new classes and Torrent skins are exclusive to this launch window. Players on PS5, Xbox, and PC can access the same new content via the standalone Tarnished Pack (€4.99) — the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree are not included in the Pack.
How It Runs: Technical Breakdown
FromSoftware targeted a consistent 30fps across both Switch 2 modes.
| Mode | Resolution | Framerate Target |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld | 1080p native | 30 fps |
| Docked | DLSS-upscaled 4K | 30 fps |
The consensus from 41 reviewers is that the target holds. TechRadar Gaming awarded a perfect 5/5, describing the port as "a major technical achievement on basically every level." The one honest caveat — from The Sixth Axis (8/10) — is that players who have only ever run the game on a high-spec PC setup may notice the performance trade-off. First-time players won't feel it.
Review Scores
| Outlet | Score | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| RPG Fan | 95/100 | "The complete experience" |
| TechRadar Gaming | 5/5 | "A major technical achievement on basically every level" |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 | "One of the finest games you can currently play in the Switch 2 library" |
| Game Reactor UK | 9/10 | "Quite incredible feeling of being able to play a game of this scale and calibre on the go" |
| Game Spew | 9/10 | — |
| The Sixth Axis | 8/10 | "Wonderful for newcomers; veterans may feel the performance trade-off" |
“"One of the finest games you can currently play in the Switch 2 library." — Nintendo Life, 9/10
“"A major technical achievement on basically every level, resulting in an outstanding port of one of the best games ever." — TechRadar Gaming, 5/5
“"Performance downgrades may be too much for veterans of other versions." — The Sixth Axis, 8/10
Online Multiplayer: What You Need to Know
Switch 2 owners play on their own server pool. Cross-play with PS5, Xbox, or PC is not supported — co-op summons and PvP invasions are limited to other Switch 2 players.
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Cross-play (PS5/Xbox/PC) | Not available |
| Solo / offline play | Fully unaffected |
| Co-op summoning | Switch 2 players only |
| PvP invasions | Switch 2 players only |
| Launch pool size | Smaller than other platforms initially |
For solo players — which is how most people play Elden Ring — the separate servers are a non-issue. If multiplayer is a priority, go in with realistic expectations about pool size at launch.
Buying Guide
On Switch 2
The Tarnished Edition is available now on the Nintendo eShop. A physical edition is expected at major retailers.
| Situation | Best Move |
|---|---|
| New to Elden Ring, own a Switch 2 | Buy Tarnished Edition — the most complete version available |
| Own Elden Ring on PS5/Xbox/PC, also have Switch 2 | Tarnished Edition if you want portable play; otherwise Tarnished Pack |
| Already own base game + DLC on another platform | Tarnished Pack (€4.99) for the new classes and skins only |
| No Switch 2, haven't played Elden Ring | PS5, Xbox, or PC versions remain the highest-fidelity option |
Tarnished Pack (Other Platforms)
The Tarnished Pack is a digital add-on for existing owners on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. It costs €4.99 and adds:
- ▶Heavy Knight starting class
- ▶Idus Knight starting class
- ▶3 Torrent cosmetic skins
- ▶4 armor sets
Shadow of the Erdtree is not included. The Pack is a content unlock, not an expansion.
Why This Matters for the Switch 2 Library
Elden Ring's arrival addresses one of the most cited gaps in the Switch 2's library case: the absence of a major FromSoftware title. With a Metacritic of 91 alongside the day-one library, the Switch 2 now has a clear answer when someone asks which must-own game justifies the hardware. The portable format also opens the game to a segment of players who prefer to play in short sessions — something the game's natural checkpoint structure (bonfires, grace sites) accommodates well.
The Tarnished Edition is the most complete version of Elden Ring ever sold in a single package. For anyone who has been waiting to enter the Lands Between, today's launch on Switch 2 is a compelling place to start.
Community Reception
Early social response has centered on the sheer fact of the port existing: widespread surprise that a game of this scale — a full open world with the Shadow of the Erdtree's massive Realm of Shadow attached — runs cleanly on portable hardware. The 100% OpenCritic recommendation rate is unusual for a cross-platform port and reflects the quality of the conversion work.
Discussion of the two new classes has already generated build theory content, with the Idus Knight's hybrid magic-agility stat spread drawing particular interest from players looking for alternatives to established archetypes.
Sources:
- ▶Bandai Namco Official — ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition
- ▶Nintendo — Rise with ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition, launching Aug. 28 on Nintendo Switch 2
- ▶GameTrader.SG — Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Is Out Now on Switch 2 — Reviews (Metacritic 91)
- ▶allthings.how — Elden Ring Tarnished Edition: New Classes, Items, and Release Date