Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Lands Friday — Here’s When You Can Start Playing
Elden Ring: Tarnished EditionCredit: Bandai NamcoJust about one more sleep until Nintendo Switch 2 fans get their own Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring. The August 28 release date is just about here, but exactly ...
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
Credit: Bandai Namco
Just about one more sleep until Nintendo Switch 2 fans get their own Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring. The August 28 release date is just about here, but exactly when can you start playing? I'll let you know that and everything else you'll need when it's go time. Let's talk video games.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release date | Friday, August 28, 2026 |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2, exclusively |
| Unlock time | Not published by Bandai Namco, FromSoftware or Nintendo, but bet on midnight ET. |
| What usually happens | eShop titles typically unlock at midnight local console time. Unconfirmed for this release. |
| Price | $79.99, or £64.99 in the UK |
| Physical format | Game-Key Card, which still requires a download |
| File size | 41.0 GB |
| Included | Base game plus the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion |
| Performance | 30fps target docked and handheld, upscaled 4K docked, 1080p handheld |
| Online | 1 to 6 players, requires Nintendo Switch Online. No cross-play. |
| Developer | FromSoftware |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Metacritic | 91 across 31 reviews |
No publisher has posted a clock time. Bandai Namco, FromSoftware and Nintendo have all stayed quiet on the hour, and eShop preloads typically go live at midnight local console time rather than all at once worldwide.
On the question of what is different here, reviewers landed on a 30fps target in both modes with DLSS doing the upscaling.
The GTA 6 showcase premieres on Netflix at 3 p.m. ET Thursday and hits Rockstar’s YouTube channel at 9 p.m. ET the same night. While most of the world will be talking about the official Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal, a sect of diehard Elden Ring fans on Switch 2 will be locked in to the Tarnished Edition. Perhaps even some folks who own multiple consoles will be interested in seeing what's new or different on the Switch 2 compared to other versions.
Nintendo users are often in their own world as they remain the console community that seemingly has the most limited access to the major titles conquering the industry on PlayStation, Xbox and even PC. Because of that, it's gratifying to see such a huge and successful title like Elden Ring land on Switch 2.
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What Reviewers Gave Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
Scores as listed by OpenCritic.
| Outlet | Score |
|---|---|
| DualShockers | 9.5 out of 10 |
| RPG Fan | 95 |
| TechRadar Gaming | 5 out of 5 |
| Nintendo Life | 9 out of 10 |
| Nintendo Insider | 9 out of 10 |
| GamingBolt | 9 out of 10 |
| Hobby Consolas | 89 |
| TheSixthAxis | 8 out of 10 |
What Tarnished Edition Adds
Contents as listed by Bandai Namco.
| Addition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Heavy Knight | A new starting class built around armor and defense |
| Ides Knight | A new starting class built around dexterity and agility |
| New armor sets | Included with the new classes |
| Torrent customization | Appearance options for the spectral steed |
| Shadow of the Erdtree | The full expansion, bundled in |
| Pre-order bonus | The Ring and Ring of Miquella gestures |