Elden Ring’s Switch 2 Port Fuels High Expectations for The Duskbloods

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition was initially positioned as the definitive system-seller for the Nintendo Switch 2. Following its announcement alongside the console’s full reveal last year, FromSoftware’s open-world masterpiece was expected to be the benchmark for the new hardware’s technical prowess. However, that momentum stalled. After a lackluster showing at Gamescom 2025, the developer postponed the port and entered a period of near-total silence regarding both this version and its Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods. This half-year hiatus left the community understandably apprehensive about the project’s viability.

The latest updates, however, are encouraging. At this year’s Game Developers Conference, Bandai Namco showcased a significantly optimized build of the game running on Switch 2 hardware. After spending time with the demo in both docked and handheld modes, I have a much clearer perspective on how FromSoftware is navigating the transition to Nintendo’s new era. Even with inevitable technical concessions, I am far more confident in the console’s ability to host FromSoftware’s ambitious vision.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

The 15-minute hands-on session dropped me into the opening hours of Elden Ring—just enough time to make a beeline for Margit the Fell Omen and suffer a swift defeat in a room full of industry peers. The demo also provided a first look at the two new classes introduced in the Tarnished Edition: a heavy knight featuring a deliberate, high-weight roll, and a more agile combatant capable of rapid-fire strikes. Both archetypes feel like natural additions to the existing roster, offering fresh foundations for character builds.

The most significant takeaway is the marked stability of this build compared to the public showing last year. Visual clarity is surprisingly high across both play modes. I didn’t encounter the blurry or low-resolution textures that often plague ambitious ports on mobile hardware. The iconic moment of emerging into The Lands Between remains as breathtaking as ever, with the sprawling vistas and golden foliage appearing crisp even at a distance. It seems FromSoftware is prioritizing image quality and visual consistency over raw performance metrics.

Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

Fortunately, this visual fidelity doesn’t seem to require catastrophic sacrifices in frame rate. While 60 FPS is off the table, the Switch 2 version now feels competitive with handheld PCs like the Steam Deck. My impression is that the game targets a 30 to 40 FPS range, depending on the environmental load. Combat felt responsive enough to dispatch early-game foes without frustrating hitches (leaving me with only my own skill to blame for the Margit encounter).

That said, the performance isn’t entirely flawless. The most noticeable frame drops occurred not during intense boss battles, but while navigating the open world on Torrent during a rainstorm. This suggests that FromSoftware is still fine-tuning how the hardware handles dynamic weather and particle effects. It remains to be seen how the console will cope with more taxing areas, such as the whirlwind-prone Crumbling Farum Azula, or the visual chaos of high-level sorceries.

While some uncertainties remain, the last six months of intensive optimization have clearly rescued a project that once seemed destined for failure. This level of refinement is a testament to the developer’s persistence. If Elden Ring can run this effectively on the Switch 2, I am much more optimistic about The Duskbloods, which was designed from the ground up for this hardware. If a massive port can reach this standard, an native exclusive should be truly exceptional.

Source: Polygon