Yes — Elden Ring is coming to Switch 2 on August 28, 2026 as Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, priced at $79.99 in the US. It bundles the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, new starting classes, new armour and customisation options for Torrent. The physical release is a Game-Key Card rather than a full cartridge.
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition at a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Release date | August 28, 2026 |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 (the bundle is exclusive to it) |
| US price | $79.99 |
| UK price | £64.99 |
| Includes | Base game, Shadow of the Erdtree, new starting class(es), new armour, Torrent customisation |
| Physical format | Game-Key Card — no game data on the cartridge |
| Install size | About 75GB, per retail listings |
Bandai Namco confirmed the date on June 4, 2026, after the Switch 2 version slipped out of its original 2025 window.
One caveat on the contents, because the sourcing genuinely conflicts: Bandai Namco’s materials have been read as promising two new starting classes, while Nintendo Life’s report described it as “a brand-new character class” in the singular. The publisher’s own quoted description of the edition lists the base game, the expansion, new armour and Torrent customisation without giving a class count at all. Until FromSoftware publishes a full content list, treat the exact number as unsettled — we are not going to state one as fact.
The “Switch 2 exclusive” label needs an asterisk
Most coverage describes Tarnished Edition as a Switch 2 exclusive and stops there. That is true of the bundle and misleading about the content.
Bandai Namco’s own announcement states that the new content — the classes, weapons and Torrent customisation options — will also be available to buy separately on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. What is exclusive to Switch 2 is the packaged edition, not the additions inside it.
For anyone who already owns Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree on another platform, that is the single most useful fact here: you are not locked out of the new classes, and you do not need to buy a Switch 2 or repurchase the game to get them. Bandai Namco has not published pricing for those standalone purchases.
The physical version is a Game-Key Card
If you buy Tarnished Edition on a cartridge, the cartridge does not contain the game. Game-Key Cards are a Switch 2 format where the card acts as a licence and the software downloads from the eShop on first use.
The practical consequences, as GoNintendo noted when the format was confirmed: you need roughly 75GB of free storage and an internet connection to play a boxed copy, and the download is tied to the card being inserted. It can still be resold or lent, unlike a purely digital purchase, but it is not the offline-forever cartridge some buyers assume they are getting for $79.99.
This has been the most contentious part of the release. Worth knowing before you pre-order rather than after.
What happened to the performance problem
The Switch 2 version has a history. A playable build shown at Gamescom in August 2025 was widely reported by attending press as running around 15 frames per second, which for a game built on precise dodge timing is close to unplayable. The release then slipped out of 2025.
What we can say is that the delay is confirmed and the game now has a firm August 28, 2026 date. What we are not going to tell you is what framerate it ships at: Bandai Namco has not published a locked performance target, and pre-release hands-on impressions are not a substitute for measured retail performance. Wait for launch-day analysis before assuming the problem is solved.
That is the honest position on it, and it is the one thing a buying guide written before launch cannot responsibly skip over.
Should you buy it on Switch 2 or somewhere else?
Buy the Switch 2 version if portability is the point. That is the whole pitch: Elden Ring and its expansion, on a handheld, in one purchase.
Buy elsewhere if performance is the priority. Elden Ring has been available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC since 2022, frequently discounted, and those versions will run better. Since the new classes and Torrent options are coming to those platforms separately, the Switch 2 edition’s content advantage is temporary.
And if you already own the game and the DLC, there is no strong case for buying Tarnished Edition at all unless you specifically want it portable.
For more of our game coverage, see our Arc Raiders review and our report on the Ghost of Yotei Legends DLC. Building a backlog instead? Our guides to the Batman: Arkham games in order and the Spider-Man games in order are both good queues to work through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition releases on Switch 2 on August 28, 2026 at $79.99. It is the only Nintendo platform the game has appeared on; it is not available on the original Switch.
What is included in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition?
The base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, new starting classes, new armour, and customisation options for Torrent, per Bandai Namco’s announcement. Reports differ on whether one or two new classes are included, and the publisher has not confirmed a count.
Is the new Tarnished Edition content exclusive to Switch 2?
No. Bandai Namco has said the new classes, weapons and Torrent customisations will be sold separately on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Only the bundle is exclusive.
Is the physical Switch 2 version a Game-Key Card?
Yes. The cartridge holds no game data and downloads the game from the eShop, so you need about 75GB of free storage and an internet connection to install it.
Does Elden Ring run well on Switch 2?
Unconfirmed. A 2025 Gamescom build was reported running around 15fps and the game was delayed, but Bandai Namco has not published a performance target for the final release. Wait for launch-day testing.
