Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Lands on Switch 2 on August 28 with Two New Classes

by Geth Author

Elden Ring is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, 2026. Bandai Namco confirmed the Tarnished Edition — a bundle that includes the full base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion — priced at $79.99. This lands the complete Elden Ring experience on Nintendo hardware for the first time, and it comes with new content that no other platform has received.

Two New Starting Classes

The Tarnished Pack introduces two brand-new starting classes: the Heavy Knight and the Idus Knight. These are genuine additions to the game's character creation, not cosmetic swaps, and they represent the first new starting class options added to Elden Ring since launch. Both will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via a separate $4.99 Tarnished Pack releasing the same day — so existing players on other platforms can also opt in.

What's in the Pack

  • Two new starting classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight
  • Four new armor sets exclusive to the Tarnished Pack
  • Three new skin customizations for Torrent, the spectral steed

Performance: From 15fps Disaster to Delivered Product

Getting Elden Ring to run on Switch 2 hardware was not trivial. Early reports from development suggested the game was struggling at 15fps at points on Switch 2's chip before extensive optimization brought it to a locked 30fps for release. That matches the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions at launch in 2022, and given the open-world density of the Lands Between, 30fps on portable hardware is a legitimate engineering achievement.

Why This Matters for Switch 2

Switch 2 has been building a compelling back catalogue of demanding ports fast. August 28 alone brings Oblivion Remastered, Lies of P, and Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 alongside Elden Ring. For a platform that launched this year, landing a complete package of one of the most awarded games of the decade — Shadow of the Erdtree included — with new content that other platforms have to pay extra for is a meaningful statement about where the hardware stands.

If you've been waiting for Elden Ring on Nintendo hardware, August 28 is the date. The Tarnished Edition at $79.99 is the obvious choice for newcomers; returning players on other platforms can grab the $4.99 Tarnished Pack for the new classes and cosmetics.