Elden Ring on Switch 2: Is the Tarnished Edition Just... Tarnished?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Reports from Gamescom suggest Elden Ring on the Nintendo Switch 2 is facing severe performance issues, with frame rates reportedly plummeting to 15 FPS, leading to concerns about the 'Tarnished Edition's' playability and Bandai Namco preventing footage of the game.
Right, so you know that feeling when you've finally got your arcane ritual just right, the runes are glowing, the incantation is purring... and then you accidentally spill your brew and the whole thing sputters out in a puff of acrid smoke? Yeah, that’s kinda the vibe I'm getting from the latest whispers out of Gamescom regarding *Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition* on the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Word on the digital street, specifically from folks who've actually been hands-on at Gamescom (cheers to Felix Sanchez of NintendoLife, whose reports via Kotaku got the rumour mill spinning), is that *Elden Ring* on the Switch 2 is, well, a bit of a dog's breakfast in the performance department. We're talking frames-per-second dipping as low as *15*. Fifteen! My mates, that’s not just a dip; that’s practically a dive into the Lands Between's least efficient bog. Sanchez apparently used phrases like "wowie zowie, it is terrible" and likened it to playing *Ocarina of Time* – which, bless its heart, was locked at 20 FPS on N64, but that was *then*. This is *now*. And *Elden Ring* is, shall we say, a tad more graphically demanding than Lon Lon Ranch.
Now, before we grab our pitchforks and march on Hyrule Castle (wrong franchise, I know, but you get the gist), let's put our thinking caps on. The big N, alongside Bandai Namco, clearly aren't exactly throwing a party about this. In fact, they've reportedly put the kibosh on Gamescom attendees recording any footage of the game. That’s a bit like trying to hide a dragon in a teacup, isn't it? If a game's running so poorly you don't want anyone to see it, why trot it out for a public showing at all? Is it a bold (or perhaps foolhardy) way to manage expectations? Or are they just seeing how much public outrage they can generate before they buckle down and fix it?
Because let's be fair, *Elden Ring* isn't just *any* game. It's *the* game. A critically acclaimed, genre-defining masterpiece that devoured countless hours of our lives and made us question our life choices (usually after dying to Malenia for the 300th time). To imagine it hobbling along at sub-cinematic frame rates on brand-new hardware is, frankly, a bit of a heartbreaker.
For context, the *Tarnished Edition* was announced back in April during a Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. It’s set to be exclusive to the new console, though all its shiny new armour, weapons, and customisation options are apparently making their way to other platforms too. Oh, and it comes bundled with the absolutely stellar *Shadow of the Erdtree* expansion, which we all know received enough praise to make even a grumpy old Godrick the Grafted crack a smile. So the *content* sounds brilliant; it’s just the *delivery* that’s currently feeling a bit… unpolished.
Bandai Namco is aiming for a 2025 launch for the Switch 2 version, and an ESRB M rating has recently popped up, which usually signals things are getting pretty close. We are, after all, in the latter half of 2025 (or will be soon enough, depending on when you’re reading this magical missive). So, there's still time, right? A good few months for FromSoftware to wave their optimisation wands and get this thing humming like a well-oiled Rune Arc.
But here’s where my gentle skepticism kicks in, mate. FromSoftware is a beloved studio, revered for their craftsmanship and often, their demanding but rewarding experiences. Shipping a game in such a dire state would be completely out of character. And yet, one can’t help but wonder if they’re stretching themselves a bit thin. The rumour mill also whispers of *The Duskbloods*, another Switch 2 exclusive from FromSoft slated for 2026, and let's not forget the recent launch of *Elden Ring Nightreign*. Is the wizard's spellbook getting too many simultaneous incantations?
Ultimately, this is a moment of cautious optimism. On one hand, showing a game in such a state, then preventing footage, screams "we're not ready!" louder than a banshee in a library. It makes you wonder if the Switch 2’s horsepower isn’t quite the leap some were expecting, or if *Elden Ring* is just an incredibly tough beast to port. On the other hand, it’s FromSoftware. They rarely miss. And a 2025 launch means they’ve still got some runway to turn this tarnished demo into a gleaming masterpiece. Here’s hoping they manage to channel that inner magic and deliver the smooth, soul-crushing experience we all know and love. Because nobody wants to fight the Fire Giant at 15 FPS, do they? That’s just cruel and unusual punishment, even for a Soulsborne veteran.
Tags: Nintendo Switch 2, Elden Ring, Gaming Performance, Gamescom, FromSoftware
Original article: Game Rant