Elden ring tarnished edition lands on switch 2 – but at a cost
FromSoftware’s latest iteration of Elden Ring, the Tarnished Edition, is finally heading to the Nintendo Switch 2, but the details are decidedly…unelegant.
A preorder price that stings
Nintendo unveiled the upgraded release during a Direct last year, promising a visual overhaul – new armor sets, distinct starting classes – alongside the base game and the expansive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Preorders are now live, priced at a hefty $79.99. However, a significant caveat immediately surfaces: the edition comes bundled only with a traditional game-key card. A rather archaic approach in this day and age, frankly.
The price point alone raises eyebrows, especially considering the game’s four-year-old pedigree. While IGN lauded Elden Ring as a ‘new benchmark’ for open-world design and combat, and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC received similar accolades, justifying a GOTY nomination, the Switch 2 iteration feels…opportunistic. The question isn't whether the game is deserving of a premium price; it’s whether the platform’s performance will truly warrant it.
A performance question mark
Considering the PS5 Pro’s anticipated capabilities, a $80 price tag for this tentatively exclusive Switch 2 edition feels less like a strategic move and more like a desperate attempt to capitalize on hype. The reality is, the Switch 2’s hardware likely won’t deliver the same level of graphical fidelity or performance as its more powerful competitors. It’s a gamble, a calculated risk FromSoftware appears willing to take, albeit with a frustratingly minimalist presentation.
Amazon’s placeholder release date – December 31, 2026 – is, predictably, a standard tactic. Despite that, the preorder guarantee offers a sliver of comfort for those willing to commit to the price. But let’s be honest, the lack of concrete information, coupled with the bundled key, speaks volumes about the studio’s cautious approach, or perhaps, a measured assessment of the console’s limitations.
What’s Included: Full Base Game, Full Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion, 2 New Starting Classes (Heavy Knight and Knight of Ides), 4 New Armor Sets, 3 Customization Options for Torrent.
The bottom line? Elden Ring’s Tarnished Edition arrives on the Switch 2, but it arrives with a noticeable lack of fanfare and a price tag that demands careful consideration. It’s a disappointing development, particularly for a franchise that consistently raises the bar. The rock is large; it’s worth acknowledging.