As a hardcore gamer who's spent countless hours getting my butt handed to me by Malenia, I'm absolutely thrilled about Elden Ring's upcoming Switch 2 debut. FromSoftware's masterpiece just hit a mind-blowing 30 million copies sold worldwide! That's right, this behemoth has nearly matched the entire Dark Souls trilogy's 37 million combined sales. It's like watching your awkward teenage cousin suddenly become a Hollywood superstar overnight.

The Tarnished Edition Cometh

The gaming gods have blessed us with the announcement of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2, slated for release sometime in 2025. This isn't just some half-baked port either—we're getting the full base game, Shadow of the Erdtree DLC (which snagged its own Game of the Year nomination), plus exclusive new weapons and fancy armor skins for our trusty steed Torrent.

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After the success of Nightreign expansion that dropped earlier this month, it's clear that FromSoftware is about as finished with Elden Ring as I am with trying to beat Radahn without summons—which is to say, not even close.

FromSoft and Nintendo: A Match Made in Gaming Heaven

This isn't FromSoftware's first rodeo with Nintendo. They've already tested the waters with Dark Souls Remastered on the original Switch, which pulled in a respectable 1.1 million copies—nearly 30% of the remaster's total sales across all platforms. That's like a Tarnished successfully taking down a boss on the first try—impressive but not impossible.

Based on those numbers, industry analysts (and overly optimistic gamers like myself) estimate Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition could add another 5-10 million sales to FromSoftware's already bulging treasure chest. The Switch 2's enhanced hardware should handle the Lands Between much better than its predecessor would have, though I suspect we might see some graphical compromises. Still, playing Elden Ring while lounging in bed? Worth it.

The Rune-conomics of Switch 2

Let's talk about the elephant in the room—or should I say, the Giant Lobster in the lake. The Switch 2 comes with a hefty $449 price tag, with games ranging from $70-80 (physical copies potentially hitting $90). That's steeper than the cliffs of Liurnia that I've accidentally rolled off a hundred times.

This pricing structure is quite the departure from Nintendo's traditional consumer-friendly image, like watching Solaire of Astora suddenly turn hostile. The original Switch launched at $299 with $60 games, making this new iteration feel like it's been inflated by Godrick grafting extra dollar signs onto everything.

Despite these eye-watering prices, Switch 2 pre-orders have hit historic levels. In France, pre-orders broke records faster than I break controllers during Malekith fights. When pre-orders opened in the US on April 24th, they sold out across all major retailers quicker than a speed-runner blazing through Limgrave.

Interestingly, the $499 Mario Kart World Bundle was seven times more popular than the standalone console. It's like people choosing to fight with a Rivers of Blood build instead of bare fists—they want the best value proposition possible.

The Technical Challenge

The biggest hurdle for FromSoftware isn't necessarily porting the game—it's optimizing it for the Switch 2 hardware. The original Dark Souls Remastered on Switch ran at 30fps instead of 60fps, which caused some grumbling among the frame-rate faithful.

I imagine optimizing Elden Ring for Switch 2 is like trying to fit a Runebear into a treasure chest—possible, but requiring some serious compression magic. The vast open world, complex enemy AI, and detailed environments will push the Switch 2 to its limits, like a level 1 Wretch facing the Fire Giant.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Q: Will Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition have all the DLC?

A: Yes! It includes the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree, and some exclusive goodies like new weapons and Torrent armor skins. It's like ordering a pizza and getting extra toppings for free—if those toppings were deadly boss weapons.

Q: How will it perform compared to other versions?

A: While no official specs have been released, expect some compromises. Based on FromSoft's history with Nintendo ports, we might see 30fps instead of 60fps, and possibly reduced draw distances or texture quality. Think of it as Elden Ring wearing slightly less fancy armor, but still packing the same deadly moveset.

Q: Is it worth buying a Switch 2 just for Elden Ring?

A: That depends on your financial situation and gaming preferences. At $449 plus $70-80 for the game, it's an investment steeper than the learning curve of a Souls game. But if you've been eyeing other Switch 2 exclusives and want Elden Ring on the go, it might be worth taking the plunge. It's like deciding whether to spend your hard-earned runes on that shiny new weapon or save them for leveling up—a personal choice.

Q: Will my save data transfer from other platforms?

A: FromSoftware hasn't confirmed this yet, but their track record suggests probably not. Prepare to start your tarnished journey anew, like a New Game+ but without all your cool gear.

Whether you're a Switch devotee looking to experience the Lands Between for the first time, or an Elden Ring veteran curious about portable play, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go farm some runes to afford all these new gaming expenses!