It is arguably one of the best games of all time; Elden Ring became a smash hit when it debuted back in 2022. The extremely difficult and beautiful Souls-like game was and still is undeniably a breathtaking masterpiece. It is safe to say it surprised everyone when FromSoftware advised they were making an edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 that would work in both portable and handheld mode.
Despite my initial fears of physically damaging my Switch 2 out of sheer frustration with some of the more difficult parts of the game, I spent a large amount of time replaying this classic, and thankfully my console is still in good condition, despite the frustrating and repetitive nature of some of the bosses.
A World Worth Dying In
If you’re new to this game, Elden Ring drops you into the Lands Between as a maidenless Tarnished, a banished warrior at the absolute bottom of the barrel, tasked with repairing the Elden Ring and becoming Elden Lord. FromSoftware’s narrative style means you’ll meet cryptic NPCs who mutter something vaguely important before vanishing, only to stumble across them 20 hours later and realise their tale threaded through your entire journey.
The main path is to hunt down demigods, claim their Great Runes; at most time is relatively clear, but everything else is draped in shadow and mystery, which is part of what I really love about this game. It takes patience, curiosity, and probably a few YouTube deep-dives to fully decipher. Yet in a medium obsessed with hand-holding, that mystery feels refreshing.
As my character this time around, I played as a Type A Mature Warrior, and what I really love about this game is the specificity you can get down to on what you carry and what attributes you have. This has all carried over from the original game and feels more intuitive on the Switch 2’s hardware.
Best In-Class Exploration
No open world nails the thrill of discovery quite like Elden Ring does. The map keeps unfurling itself in ways that genuinely take your breath away, creating completely unforgettable moments: that first time you ride an elevator down to an entirely new underground realm, or crest a hill to reveal yet another massive biome stretching before you.
There are entire sections that have yet to be discovered, making every hidden dungeon or secluded site of grace feel like a genuinely unique discovery. Enemy variety holds up across dozens of hours, biomes remain visually distinct, and the environmental storytelling delivers lore without a single expository cutscene. Even on a second playthrough, finding a site of grace after thirty minutes of tense exploration brings a relief that is really difficult to describe.
The Big Switch 2 Question
I split my time evenly between docked and handheld, and here’s where it gets interesting. Elden Ring was never a graphical showcase on other platforms; it thrives on lighting rather than raw technical fidelity. On the Switch 2, it’s clear some sacrifices have been made to get such a demanding title running, but the results are far more impressive than I expected.
Handheld mode is the star of the show. Frame rates feel smoother here, textures hold up admirably on the Switch 2’s screen, and the darker aesthetic actually helps mask the compromises. It was a complete surprise when I docked the console and discovered that docked mode tells a slightly different story: there is some texture pop-in at distance, occasional slowdown during the most chaotic boss encounters, and a softer overall image.
It’s perfectly playable, but the gap between docked and handheld is extremely evident here. Handheld was a complete dream, while its docked mode felt like more of a potato.
That being said, I walked away very impressed. I got some time with this title at PAX Australia last year behind a closed curtain, and so much has changed for this title since then. Breaking it down, this is a colossal open-world action-RPG running on a handheld, and the fact it plays this well at all feels like a minor miracle. If you’ve been holding out for a portable version, or if you’ve somehow dodged the hype until now, this is the perfect way to experience one of gaming’s modern masterpieces.
Final Thoughts
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition brings one of the best games of the generation to Nintendo’s newest console with surprising grace.
With a film on the way and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC included, there’s never been a better time to venture into the Lands Between.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: One of the best games of all time now handheld, Rich combat system, Deep lore you want to keep exploring
Lowlights: Doesn’t look great while docked
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: August 28, 2026
Review conducted on Nintendo Switch 2 with a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
