Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Launches on Nintendo Switch 2 With €4.99 Tarnished Pack DLC

Elden Ring has officially arrived on a Nintendo platform for the first time. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, 2026, bringing FromSoftware's massive action RPG, the complete Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and several new gameplay customization options into a single package designed for both handheld and docked play. According to Bandai Namco, the new content is not exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, with existing players on PlayStation, Xbox and PC able to purchase the separate Tarnished Pack DLC for €4.99.

The Tarnished Edition includes the complete original Elden Ring alongside Shadow of the Erdtree, meaning Nintendo Switch 2 players can explore both the Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow from the beginning. The package also introduces 2 new starting classes called the Heavy Knight and Idus Knight, alongside 4 additional armor sets and 3 new appearance options for Torrent, the player's spectral steed.

The new starting classes are more than cosmetic additions. Heavy Knight and Idus Knight can be selected during character creation, allowing new playthroughs to begin with different equipment and stat configurations. However, existing characters are not locked out of their equipment. Bandai Namco confirms that the weapons and equipment associated with the new classes can also be obtained from merchants or discovered throughout the Lands Between.

Torrent customization is another first for the original Elden Ring. The Tarnished Pack introduces 3 alternative appearances for the spectral steed, allowing players to alter Torrent's visual presentation without affecting gameplay performance. These options join the 4 new armor sets, including the equipment associated with the 2 additional starting classes.

Players already exploring Elden Ring on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One and PC do not need to purchase Tarnished Edition to access these additions. The complete collection is available separately through the Tarnished Pack, which launched alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 edition on August 28 for a standard price of €4.99, although regional pricing can vary according to local currency.

FromSoftware also released Elden Ring update 1.17 immediately before the launch, adding support for the Tarnished Pack alongside additional gameplay balance adjustments. Players on existing platforms therefore need the latest version installed before accessing the new DLC content. Bandai Namco's patch notes confirm that the new classes, armor and Torrent customization features become available once the Tarnished Pack has been purchased.

The Nintendo Switch 2 release represents another major expansion for a game that has already become FromSoftware's biggest commercial success. Elden Ring has surpassed 30 million copies sold worldwide, a milestone previously covered as the game reached that figure slightly more than 3 years after its February 2022 debut. Its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has separately surpassed 10 million units, while Elden Ring Nightreign reached 5 million shipments during 2025. Elden Ring's 30 million sales milestone established the franchise as one of the defining action RPG properties of the current generation.

Nintendo is positioning Tarnished Edition as one of the major mature releases expanding the Switch 2 library beyond Nintendo's traditional first party catalog. The game can be played through the system's handheld display or connected to a television, giving Elden Ring a portable format that was previously unavailable without using a PC handheld or remote play solution. Nintendo officially released Tarnished Edition on August 28 and highlights the complete Shadow of the Erdtree expansion as part of the package.

For FromSoftware, the release extends Elden Ring's lifespan while the wider franchise continues expanding. Nightreign has created a separate cooperative branch of the property, while the planned live action Elden Ring movie is also moving the franchise beyond games. The Nintendo Switch 2 release now opens the Lands Between to another major console audience while giving existing players an inexpensive reason to begin another journey through the original game.

Elden Ring arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 more than 4 years after its original launch could have been treated as a straightforward port, but bundling Shadow of the Erdtree and introducing new classes, armor and Torrent customization makes Tarnished Edition considerably more interesting for both newcomers and returning players.

The €4.99 Tarnished Pack is also a smart decision. Rather than locking the new content behind the Nintendo Switch 2 version, FromSoftware is giving the existing community access to the same additions for a relatively low price. The 2 new starting classes alone provide a natural excuse for another playthrough without creating a major divide between platforms.

The larger story is Elden Ring's longevity. More than 30 million sales, a massive expansion, Nightreign, a Nintendo Switch 2 edition and an upcoming movie demonstrate how quickly the game has evolved from a major FromSoftware release into a long term global franchise.

Would you start another Elden Ring playthrough for the new Heavy Knight and Idus Knight classes, or are you more interested in finally experiencing the Lands Between on Nintendo Switch 2?