Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal and there’s a lot of content, both old and new, to discuss.
The Nintendo Switch’s comparatively weak hardware dogged players and developers alike as soon as it launched. Though the console was an unqualified commercial success, it was despite an almost complete lack of third-party developer support. Nintendo made sure to stress that this wouldn’t be the case with the Switch 2 in its hour-long reveal trailer.
A large chunk of the proceedings was dedicated to prominent publishers and developers confirming upcoming releases for the Switch 2. First among them was the announcement of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. While few details were explicitly given in the trailer, fans do know what the new version of the game has to offer.
What is Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition?
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is a new version of Elden Ring that will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2.
FromSoftware became the single biggest multi-platform developer in the world with the 2022 release of Elden Ring. The game sold tens of millions of units, with a large part of that being owed to its worldwide multi-platform release. It was released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on day one.
Unfortunately, it never came to Nintendo Switch, nor did FromSoftware’s Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. In fact, the only FromSoftware game to come out on Nintendo Switch was the remastered version of 2011’s Dark Souls 1.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will see FromSoftware making up for lost time. The same can also be said for The Duskbloods, a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki.
What new content is in Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition?
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will include the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and some new content.
Naturally, the centerpiece of the release is still the familiar Elden Ring base game. The 2022 Game of the Year combines FromSoftware’s familiar combat and level design with the open-world environment of many modern action-RPGs. The adventure can last for tens of hours, and there’s an incredible amount of replayability.
While the trailer didn’t state it, it was later confirmed on Nintendo’s social media channels that the DLC will be included in the Tarnished Edition. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was so good that some were infuriated when it was up for Game of the Year awards in 2024. Either way, its many new bosses and build opportunities made for an exceptional experience.
Alongside the base game and DLC, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will have some new content. The exact amount is uncertain, though there were new bits and pieces shown.
There were several pieces of new armor and equipment shown in the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition reveal trailer. A new set that resembled Lucatiel of Mirrah’s armor from Dark Souls 2 and the Mirrah set from Dark Souls 3 was shown. An unfamiliar armor with a hunter green scarf was also shown.
Perhaps the biggest new addition to Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is that players will seemingly be able to customize Torrent. The trailer shows the Tarnished summoning Torrent, who has a new saddle that resembles the Carian knight armors and banners.
Odds are that the new additions will be relatively minor, but they provide some extra flair for Fashion Souls aficionados.
