If you were eyeing the 2022 GOTY on Nintendo’s new hybrid, bad news: Elden Ring needs more time. FromSoftware has confirmed that the Tarnished Edition planned for Switch 2 is moving to 2026.

It’s no secret that the original Nintendo Switch’s limited power kept many studios from porting their most advanced games. With Switch 2 specs, though, teams like Square Enix and Hazelight are bringing experiences such as Final Fantasy VII Remake and Split Fiction to Nintendo’s hybrid. FromSoftware is on that path as well, but its award-winning Elden Ring will take longer than expected.

A brief post on the official Elden Ring X account states the developers are delaying the Switch 2 version: “While development on Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition continues at full speed, we are moving the release to 2026 to allow adequate time for performance adjustments. We apologize to players waiting for the game and appreciate your patience and support.”

The news rekindles debate over Switch 2’s power. Despite technically impressive titles already on the system (like the aforementioned Split Fiction), this isn’t the first time a team has pushed a hybrid release to ensure smooth performance. Borderlands 4 on Switch 2, for example, has been postponed indefinitely while work continues on PC/PS5/Xbox Series.

That raises concerns about further delays for upcoming titles. In time we’ll see whether studios keep dedicating resources to Switch 2 optimization, or shift focus to other lead platforms.

What’s In The Tarnished Edition?

Since launch in 2022, Elden Ring has become both a cultural touchstone and a commercial hit. A Switch 2 release would broaden its reach, so FromSoftware is planning not just the base game but a content-rich Tarnished Edition: it’s set to include the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, new weapons and armor, customization for Torrent, and additional extras.

Source: 3djuegos