Elden Ring for Nintendo Switch 2 is Un-Tarnished

After concerns swirled around the Switch 2 port of FromSoftware's masterpiece, Elden Ring put forth a strong showing at GDC 2026.

After sinking literally thousands of hours into Demon’s Souls and the Dark Souls trilogy, I was ready for Elden Ring when it launched in 2022. Fortunately, FromSoftware defied even my lofty expectations and gave us a masterpiece in open-world design, strategic combat, and exploration.

The big news in recent months has been that Elden Ring would be coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Finally, Nintendo fans would have the pleasure of not only playing the reigning champ of Soulslikes, but playing it on the go. There was, however, one major concern: Early buzz said Elden Ring was poorly optimized for Nintendo’s new portable console, which led to a delay.

That delay was worthwhile. I’m happy to report that Elden Ring not only runs great in portable and docked modes, but is virtually indistinguishable from other consoles in terms of its graphical pedigree.

I got to play Elden Ring in handheld mode at a hands-on event at the 2026 Game Developers Conference. Before I could put the Switch 2 version through its paces, I selected the Heavy Knight, one of two starting classes exclusive to Switch 2. They play exactly as you would expect: Big, armored up, and wielding a massive blade. That didn’t stop the tutorial boss from slaying me without breaking a sweat, but I gave it a good try.

Once I respawned and made my way into the Lands Between, I was stunned by the graphical fidelity of the Switch 2 port. The overworld appears every bit as vibrant on Nintendo’s portable as it appears on the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions.

My next order of business was to make my way to the Site of Grace where you receive Torrent, your trusty steed. After summoning Torrent, I dashed as far as I could go across the continent. The Switch 2 kept up with the twists and turns I took along my route. The frame rate was smooth and steady, only dipping during sharp turns of the camera. I didn’t get a chance to try the game docked, so I can’t say whether or not those same hitches occur while playing on a TV.

Although my time with Elden Ring was short, it was enough to convince me to pick up this version of the game when it launches on Nintendo Switch 2. The opportunity to play the game anytime, anywhere is too good to pass up, and as a lifelong Nintendo fan, I’m even more excited about the Tarnished Edition.

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