Elden Ring Tarnished Edition GDC 2026 Previews Indicate Improved Nintendo Switch 2 Performance

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FromSoftware delayed the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition to work on improving how well it runs. Recent previews from GDC 2026, including those from GameSpot and Polygon, show that the game now performs much better on the console.

The gameplay demo of Elden Ring lasted 15 minutes and showed off the beginning of the game. Polygon said this was enough time to reach the boss Margit. GameSpot’s preview video (available below) wasn’t recorded directly from the game, so it features footage filmed over someone’s shoulder.

The early gameplay footage shows that Elden Ring Tarnished Edition runs noticeably better in handheld mode than previous versions, though it’s still not as fluid as 60 frames per second. FromSoftware hasn’t officially stated what frame rate they’re aiming for, but the improvements suggest they’re likely targeting 30 or even 40 FPS.

The Elden Ring Tarnished Edition was first revealed in April 2025. Although not much was known at the time, the title suggested FromSoftware intended it to be a complete, definitive version of the game.

A few months after its release, players began reporting that Elden Ring Tarnished Edition didn’t run well, particularly when played in handheld mode. In a video from August 2025, Felix Sanchez from Nintendo Life pointed out that the game was limited to 30 frames per second, but often dropped to 20, and even 15 FPS during busy scenes. He likened the experience to playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64, which was known for its slow frame rate.

In the video, Sanchez described the game’s performance as terrible, explaining, “I understand why they wouldn’t want people to see this.” He compared it to playing Ocarina of Time, noting that the frame rate was often very low – around 20 frames per second, and sometimes even dropping to 15.

Although Elden Ring ran smoothly on consoles, the PC version was often criticized for brief, noticeable pauses in gameplay. This issue stemmed from how the game compiled its graphics. Fortunately, Linux-based systems, including the Steam Deck, experienced much better performance. This is because Linux, through a tool called Proton, compiles the necessary graphics files before the game starts, avoiding slowdowns during play.

Originally scheduled for October 2025, the release of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition has been delayed until 2026. FormSoftware says this is to allow them time to improve the game’s performance. A new release date hasn’t been announced yet.

Released in 2022 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, Elden Ring is the newest single-player action RPG from FromSoftware, known for its challenging gameplay. Players take on the role of a Tarnished, a character cursed to live even after death, and must explore the vast world of The Lands Between. Throughout their journey, they’ll uncover the history of a fallen kingdom and encounter important figures from its past. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion adds to the game’s rich story, revealing more about mysteries like the origin of Frenzy and the history of Marika.

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2026-03-13 15:11