Elden ring tarnished edition lands on switch 2 – $80 for a key?
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2, but the initial preorder details are raising eyebrows and sparking debate about value.
A tarnished arrival, with a catch
Preorders for the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition have opened for the Switch 2, promising a fully upgraded experience that includes the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and a handful of new features. The price tag? A hefty $79.99 – though that figure quickly shifts to a rather underwhelming game-key card upon closer inspection.
Nintendo’s own Direct last year unveiled this iteration, showcasing new armor sets and starting classes designed to cater to a wider range of playstyles. But the minimalist approach to the physical release – a single key – feels almost… insulting, considering the pedigree of the source material. The developers, notoriously tight-lipped, haven’t offered any concrete release date, settling instead for a placeholder of December 31, 2026.
A price point that feels… arbitrary
IGN’s initial 10/10 review of the base game, and subsequent praise for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, spoke of a ‘new benchmark’ for open-world design. Yet, an $80 investment for a game already four years old, particularly when considering the anticipated performance limitations on a handheld console, feels strategically questionable. While the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition – which bundles the base game and expansion – currently retails for $80 on PC, the Switch 2 version’s key-only approach actively diminishes its appeal.
Torrent customization and a placeholder date
The Tarnished Edition does boast some enticing additions: four new armor sets, customization options for Torrent, and two new starting classes – the Heavy Knight and the Knight of Ides. It's a curated selection, but it feels like a scattering of cosmetic enhancements rather than a truly transformative upgrade. Amazon's listing, predictably, confirms the placeholder date, offering a tiny sliver of reassurance – a preorder guarantee of the lowest price until shipment – but failing to address the fundamental issue of value.
The bottom line: a calculated risk?
Ultimately, this release strategy reads like a calculated risk. FromSoftware’s dedication to their IP is admirable, but the market will be watching closely to see if the Switch 2 can deliver on the promise of a visually stunning and engaging Elden Ring experience. For now, it’s a tarnished prospect, shrouded in uncertainty and a disconcerting lack of detail.