Overview
- The Tarnished Edition launched on Friday, August 28, 2026, and ships the base Elden Ring, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and the Tarnished Pack content bundled on Switch 2.
- Reviewers report the port typically targets about 30 frames per second using dynamic resolution and upscaling, and that the game is playable and often impressive in handheld mode despite reduced detail and intermittent frame drops.
- FromSoftware issued patch 1.17 with the release to apply numerous balance changes to weapons, spells, shields and parry mechanics and players must update to access online features and the new DLC content.
- Critics largely praised the port’s achievement on Switch 2, giving high scores and a Metacritic aggregate near 91, while noting that the $79.99 price matches other platforms and that visual compromises distinguish it from PS5 and high-end PC versions.
- The release serves as a high‑profile test for Switch 2’s ability to run large open worlds after a 2025 preview delay and public testing, and players should watch performance reports in late‑game and DLC areas where heavy effects and big fights may still cause drops.