I wasn't convinced by Elden Ring Tarnished Edition until I played it on Nintendo Switch 2 — now I think it's one of the system's most impressive ports yet

When the Nintendo Switch 2 was first announced in 2025, many were skeptical about its ability to run games like Elden Ring. The preview events showed a heavily compressed version of the game with a choppy framerate, raising doubts about the port. However, after playing Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on the Switch 2, it has become one of the system's most impressive ports.

The game is essentially an open-world Dark Souls, offering a brutal action-RPG experience with challenging combat and a dark medieval fantasy setting. The Lands Between, the game's expansive world, is full of breathtaking landscapes, towering castles, and deadly creatures. Despite the game's intense difficulty, the Switch 2 handles it perfectly in handheld mode, with smooth performance and minimal pop-in.

Elden Ring on Switch 2 is praised for its visual fidelity, with the upgraded Shadow of the Eldtree expansion delivering stunning graphics. The game's combat system is complex and rewarding, offering a wide variety of weapons and abilities to experiment with. The open-world structure allows players to tackle boss battles, explore new areas, and engage in various combat scenarios without feeling repetitive.

In summary, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 has proven to be a shining example of how third-party ports can reach new heights of quality and enjoyment.