As a professional gamer who's spent countless hours in The Lands Between, I've been eagerly awaiting the Switch 2 release of Elden Ring. Now that 2025 is here and the Tarnished Edition is finally upon us, I wanted to share my thoughts on this complete package that includes both the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

The Complete Package... With Compromises

When I first heard that Elden Ring was coming to Switch 2 with everything bundled together, I nearly dropped my controller in excitement. The Tarnished Edition promised to be the definitive way to experience FromSoftware's masterpiece, complete with new weapons, armor, skins for Torrent, and two entirely new classes - the Heavy Knight and Knight of Ides. As someone who's played through the game multiple times on different platforms, these additions were exactly what I needed to justify another playthrough.

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But after getting hands-on with the Switch 2 version at a recent gaming event, my enthusiasm has been... well, tarnished. The framerate issues are impossible to ignore for someone like me who relies on precise timing for dodges and parries. The game runs at 30 FPS without any performance mode toggle, which feels like a step backward in 2025.

Portable Lands Between

One of the main selling points of having Elden Ring on Switch 2 is portability. There's something magical about exploring Limgrave or battling Malenia while on a long flight or commute. I've spent several hours testing the portable experience, and while it's functional, the compromises are noticeable.

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"Look at my awesome new Torrent skin!" I texted my gaming group chat, attaching a screenshot from my Switch 2. Their responses were mixed - some impressed by having the game on the go, others pointing out the visual downgrade compared to other platforms.

The thing is, I've been playing Elden Ring on my Steam Deck for over a year now. The portability factor isn't the exclusive draw it might have been if the Switch 2 version had launched earlier. Still, I appreciate having options, and the Switch 2's battery life does outlast my Steam Deck when exploring the vast open world.

The Tarnished Edition Extras

The good news? These awesome new additions aren't locked to the Switch 2. FromSoftware has confirmed that all the Tarnished Edition content will be available as digital purchases on other platforms. This is a relief for players who want the new content but don't want to compromise on performance.

The new classes are particularly interesting:

  • Heavy Knight: Starts with higher strength and endurance, perfect for tank builds

  • Knight of Ides: A more balanced fighter with unique starting equipment

These classes offer fresh starting points for veterans like me who've already tried every build under the Erdtree. The Torrent skins are mostly cosmetic but add a nice touch of personalization to your adventure.

Performance Reality Check

Let me be brutally honest about the performance issues I've encountered:

  1. Framerate drops in legacy dungeons and boss fights

  2. Longer loading times compared to other current-gen versions

  3. Occasional texture pop-in when entering new areas

  4. No performance mode option to prioritize framerate over resolution

For a game that demands precision, these issues can mean the difference between victory and a "YOU DIED" screen. I found myself missing parry windows during my hands-on time, something that rarely happens to me on other platforms.

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Is It Worth It?

Despite the performance concerns, there's something undeniably appealing about having the complete Elden Ring experience in a portable form factor. The Switch 2's OLED screen makes the haunting beauty of the game's art direction pop in a way my Steam Deck's screen can't match. And being able to play anywhere without streaming or remote play is convenient.

For new players who only own a Switch 2, this is absolutely the way to go. You're getting an incredible amount of content in one package. For veterans like me who already own the game elsewhere, the decision is more complicated. The new content is tempting, but knowing it's coming to other platforms makes the Switch 2 version less essential.

I've decided to hold off on purchasing the Switch 2 version until FromSoftware addresses some of the performance issues. My journey through The Lands Between deserves the best possible experience, and right now, that's still on more powerful hardware.

What about you? Would you sacrifice some performance for portability, or would you rather experience Elden Ring at its technical best? The answer might be different for each Tarnished among us, and that's what makes gaming such a personal journey. 🎮