Back during this August’s Gamescom, Bandai Namco gave gamers a hands-on opportunity with Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for the Switch 2. But instead of generating hype for the port, most walked away frustrated. Those who played the demo reported massive framerate issues in the open world sections, a (literally) huge part of the Elden Ring experience. Some reported frames reaching as low as 20 FPS, with Nintendo Life uncharitably comparing it to Ocarina of Time. Many wondered if the game would launch in 2025 at all. Well, today we have an answer.
New Launch Date Set for 2026
In a brief post, Elden Ring’s official Twitter/X account updated gamers on Tarnished Edition’s release date. In order to address the performance issues, the game will be pushed from 2025 to a 2026 release date. Whether that means early or late 2026 is unclear. The account offered no other information regarding the port, other than an apology for those anticipating the game.
A Sign for Third-Party Games?
As mentioned in the Gamescom article, the Switch 2 isn’t quite the powerhouse the Series X | S or PS5 is. Nevertheless, Nintendo continues to attract more AAA devs to the platform, determined to build up a solid library of third-party titles. Not just older ports like Elden Ring, but upcoming titles like Resident Evil: Requiem, 007 First Light, and more. But Tarnished Edition isn’t the only Switch 2 game to have trouble recently. In late September, Borderlands 4’s Twitter/X account announced a delay to its port as well. If this becomes a trend, it could result in fewer ports to the Switch 2 overall.
Though it’s not like Nintendo is wholly dependent on third-party titles. The Switch 2 is their fastest selling console of all time, with most gamers shelling out for its first part titles. Still, for the platform’s longevity, having games like Elden Ring and Borderlands 4 running smoothly is important to keep developers producing ports. The success of those titles may very well indicate whether publishers believe developing for and selling on the Switch 2 is worthwhile. We’ll find out in 2026 when Tarnished Edition releases..
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