Elden Ring: It’s a Disaster on Nintendo Switch 2, Smells Very Bad

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Performance on Nintendo Switch 2 Questions Raised in Cologne

Among the most anticipated titles at Nintendo’s booth during Gamescom 2025 was Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2. This special edition, which includes the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, new classes, weapons, and armor, was poised to showcase the Nintendo Switch 2’s capability with major third-party releases. However, initial impressions from Cologne are not encouraging, particularly concerning the portable play mode, with some early reports describing its performance as poor.

During Gamescom 2025, several media outlets, including IGN, had the opportunity to test Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite the edition’s extensive content, early feedback primarily focused on performance concerns. Notably, a surprising rule at the demo prohibited filming off-screen Elden Ring sequences. This restriction suggested that Bandai Namco and FromSoftware aimed to conceal potential technical issues. Journalists reported significant fluidity problems, particularly during outdoor exploration, with noticeable frame rate drops and stuttering occurring whenever the camera changed direction after the tutorial area. Beyond performance, some testers highlighted confusing control mapping on the Nintendo Switch 2, which complicated combat and exploration. While this could be a temporary configuration in an ongoing development build, the overall sentiment regarding the demo remains mixed.

On social media platforms, the Elden Ring community has voiced its concerns. Many users recall that FromSoftware has not historically been renowned for top-notch technical optimization in its games, even on PlayStation and Xbox. These historical issues fuel worries about the Nintendo Switch 2’s ability to handle a title as demanding as Elden Ring. Some players draw comparisons to the original Switch, which excelled with first-party exclusives but often struggled with ambitious third-party ports. One player, Genkijpn, specifically lamented, “We shouldn’t have to deal with the same performance issues from the last generation again.” Most feedback indicates that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition’s performance issues primarily manifest in portable mode. In contrast, when docked, the game appears more stable, though occasional frame rate dips can still occur. Based on these early reports, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition might be a suitable choice for living room play, but less appealing for on-the-go gaming—a scenario that would contradict the console’s hybrid design. As the gaming community awaits further updates or a more polished build, these initial reports raise significant questions about the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities, particularly for demanding third-party titles in portable mode.

In Case You Missed It

If you’re a fan of epic RPGs and stellar storytelling, don’t miss our latest post by Ahmed Hassan on July 24th, where he delves into the incredible success of the Elden Ring franchise. With over 30 million units sold globally and numerous accolades to its name, Elden Ring continues to captivate players worldwide. From expansion DLCs to independent spin-offs, there’s a lot to celebrate in this thriving gaming universe. Plus, exciting developments like the upcoming live-action film and new console editions are on the horizon! Head over to our post to learn more about these achievements and where the franchise is headed next Elden Ring Franchise Surpasses 30 Million Units Sold. For gamers and Elden Ring enthusiasts, there’s some exciting news you won’t want to miss! Jonathan Dubinski’s latest post from July 24th details the impressive sales numbers for Elden Ring: Nightfall. The game has already surpassed 5 million units sold in just two weeks since its release, with a staggering initial launch of over 2 million units. Plus, with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion reaching an astounding 10 million unit mark and plans to hit Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to dive into this dark fantasy world. Head over to our site Elden Ring: Nightfall Surpasses 5 Million Units Sold for all the details! For all Elden Ring enthusiasts out there, Sophie Laurent has shared some exciting news over at Players for Life! Her recent post, “Elden Ring May Soon Arrive on Nintendo Switch 2,” published on July 1, 2025, discusses the imminent arrival of Elden Ring and its expansion, Elden Ring: Nightfall, on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. With the ESRB’s classification hinting at a potential release soon and the possibility of an announcement during Bandai Namco’s summer showcase, it’s an exciting time for gamers! Be sure to check out the full details Elden Ring May Soon Arrive on Nintendo Switch 2.

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Carlos Mendoza

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