With new exclusives for the Nintendo Switch 2 few and far between so far, third-party ports are picking up a lot of the slack, and one of the best games of this console generation appears poised to have its release date for the new system announced. First revealed to be coming to the Switch 2 during its big Direct back in April, Elden Ring, often considered among the greatest games ever made, appears to be preparing for release on Nintendo’s new hardware.
Currently without an official release date, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition has been rated for the Nintendo Switch 2 by the ESRB (via My Nintendo News). The Entertainment Software Rating Board determines the age rating for video games in North America, and has unsurprisingly assigned Elden Ring on Switch 2 with an M rating for Mature, due to blood and gore, language, suggestive themes, and violence. While not a traditional leak, an ESRB rating is one of the final steps a game typically takes before release, meaning developer FromSoftware and international publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment may be close to announcing the Tarnished Edition release date.
Elden Ring Is Finally Coming To A Nintendo Console
FromSoft’s Epic Skipped The Original Switch
Elden Ring took the gaming world by storm when it initially released in 2022, but Nintendo’s hardware at the time, the original Switch, was not equipped to run it. The open-world RPG already suffers from noticeably suboptimal performance, even on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, so it was never feasible for it to come to the Switch. The Switch 2 has made great strides over its predecessor, though, and appears capable of running a more than passable version of Elden Ring.
The Tarnished Edition crucially includes Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, the lengthy expansion that was released in 2024, making it a complete version of the acclaimed RPG. Nintendo systems have unfortunately been largely left bereft of FromSoftware’s Soulsborne catalog, which only continues to grow in popularity. Dark Souls: Remastered is the only one to have made it to the Switch prior to Elden Ring now close to release on the Switch 2.
Elden Ring On Switch 2 Is The Perfect Precursor To The Duskbloods
FromSoft’s Switch 2 Exclusive
Despite FromSoftware’s lack of presence in the Nintendo ecosystem, though, Elden Ring will be a preamble to The Duskbloods, a FromSoftware-developed Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive scheduled to be released sometime in 2026. The Duskbloods was one of the more intriguing reveals from the Switch 2 Direct in April, evoking some of the same vibes as the beloved Bloodborne, but then raising eyebrows when it was confirmed to be a PvPvE multiplayer game with extraction elements.
Regardless of its genre, it seems poised to feature FromSoftware’s signature combat systems, so Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition may help any Nintendo fans unfamiliar with the developer’s work acquire a translatable skill set. Following Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware’s newfound multiplayer focus is still contentious with the studio’s most dedicated fans, but its open-world opus is finally nearing its release on Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition receiving its ESRB rating.
Source: ESRB (via My Nintendo News)
Elden Ring
Systems
10/10
- Released
- February 25, 2022
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PS4 & PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
Elden Ring is a popular game released by From Software, creators of games such as Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Players assume the role of a Tarnished, a being once exiled to the Lands Between and has returned to repair the Elden Ring after the events of “The Shattering.” “The Shattering” occurred when the offspring of Queen Marika battled to claim the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes. Their war has brought lawlessness, destruction, and chaos to the land, and the player will challenge them with the assistance of a Maiden known as Melina as they travel towards the great Erd Tree to face their destiny and to become the one true Elden Lord. Players can tackle the game how they choose and can adventure across realms as they build their character how they want – be it a powerful magic caster or a brutal swordsman – they will have complete control over their build.
