The legendary Lands Between are finally coming to Nintendo's newest platform, and our hands-on time with Elden Ring Tarnished Edition at PAX West 2025 suggests that the wait has been worth it. FromSoftware's masterpiece, which originally captivated players in 2022, is making its way to the Switch 2 with impressive results that should excite both newcomers and veterans alike.
During a 30-minute demo session at Nintendo's bustling booth, we had the opportunity to experience this highly anticipated port both in handheld mode and on the big screen. The demo began with the familiar character creation process, allowing us to customize our Tarnished hero before venturing into the vast open world that has become synonymous with Elden Ring's revolutionary design.
Performance in the Lands Between
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding this port has been how the Switch 2 would handle the demanding open world that challenged even previous generation consoles. Based on our time with what Nintendo representatives confirmed was a newer build than what was shown at Gamescom, the answer is: surprisingly well.
While playing in handheld mode, there is a noticeable visual downgrade compared to docked play, but the sacrifice feels reasonable given the portable nature. The game maintains a stable framerate through most encounters, with only occasional dips during particularly chaotic moments. Exploring darker environments like mines did present some visibility challenges on the smaller screen, something to consider for those planning extended portable sessions.
Docked performance impressed significantly more. Riding Torrent across the sweeping landscapes of Limgrave felt smooth and responsive, with distant vistas rendering beautifully. Combat maintained fluidity even during more demanding boss encounters like Margit at Stormveil Castle. While perhaps a slight step down from the PS5 version, the difference wasn't jarring enough to detract from the experience.
The Tarnished Experience Preserved
What's most impressive about Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is how faithfully it recreates the core experience that earned the original countless Game of the Year awards. The haunting atmosphere, punishing-yet-fair combat, and sense of discovery remain fully intact. Whether activating Sites of Grace or engaging in mounted combat, the essence of what makes Elden Ring special has been preserved.
The demo did reveal some technical compromises. Frame rate drops were more noticeable in handheld mode, particularly in areas with complex environmental effects like Storm Hill's wind-swept battlements. Pop-in was minimal, however, with distant objects like trees rendering impressively far into the horizon. These issues were less pronounced when playing docked, suggesting that the developers have optimized the experience thoughtfully for both play styles.
What to Expect in 2025
Elden Ring tarnished players will be pleased to know that this edition appears to include all previously released content, though representatives were tight-lipped about whether the rumored additional Switch 2-exclusive areas would make the final cut. The port is being developed with close collaboration between FromSoftware and Nintendo, which explains the impressive optimization we witnessed.
While the exact release date remains unconfirmed beyond "2025," the build we played felt remarkably polished. There's clearly still optimization work to be done, particularly for handheld mode, but the foundation is strong. For Switch 2 owners who haven't experienced the Lands Between, this will likely be the definitive way to play one of gaming's most celebrated titles. For veterans, the prospect of taking their Tarnished journey on the go presents an enticing reason to return.
As we await more details in the coming months, one thing is certain: Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is shaping up to be one of Switch 2's most impressive third-party ports, bringing FromSoftware's masterpiece to a new audience without compromising what made it special in the first place.