Elden Ring arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28 with the release of the Tarnished Edition. The special release brings the critically acclaimed open world game and its major expansion to a portable system for the first time.

The release marks a significant milestone for Nintendo gamers. Elden Ring originally launched in 2022 to critical acclaim and quickly became one of the highest rated games ever made. Developer FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco have maintained strong player interest through regular software updates, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and the spin off title Nightreign.

The upcoming Tarnished Edition includes both the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in one complete package. Early reports indicated that the game faced performance issues on the Switch 2 hardware, but fans hope those technical problems have been resolved before the official launch date.

Players on other gaming platforms can also access the new content on August 28. Bandai Namco is releasing the Tarnished Pack as a separate downloadable purchase for five dollars on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. This downloadable package brings all the extra content included in the Switch 2 version to existing platforms.

The Tarnished Pack introduces two new starting classes named the Heavy Knight and the Idus Knight. While official starting statistics remain unconfirmed, community rumors suggest that the Heavy Knight focuses on endurance statistics while the Idus Knight concentrates on dexterity. Starting classes do not limit long term character development because players can freely customize their attributes and reset their skill points later in the journey.

In addition to the new starting classes, the update includes four new armor sets and three custom appearance options for Torrent, the spectral steed. These cosmetic options give returning players a fresh reason to start a new journey through the Lands Between.

For new players on Switch 2, the release offers hundreds of hours of challenging gameplay. The included Shadow of the Erdtree expansion earned widespread acclaim and a nomination for Game of the Year, adding a massive new landmass filled with powerful bosses and unique weapons.

Whether playing on handheld hardware or pickup up the DLC on existing consoles, August 28 gives Elden Ring fans plenty of fresh content to explore.