Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Switch 2: Release Date, Price and Everything New in the August 28 Launch

August 24, 2026 Noah

After a delay, a rocky Gamescom demo, and months of silence, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition finally has a release date locked in: August 28, 2026. It’s the first time FromSoftware’s genre-defining action RPG lands on a Nintendo platform, and Bandai Namco is using the Switch 2 launch to bundle in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion plus a handful of new extras for every version of the game.

Here’s everything confirmed so far about the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition release, what’s actually new, and what it means whether you’re picking it up on Switch 2 or already have the base game elsewhere.

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition official key art

Release Date and Price

Release date: August 28, 2026
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Game-Key Card for the physical version)
Price: $79.99 for the Switch 2 bundle, digital pre-orders already live on the eShop
Pre-order bonus: the “Ring” and “Ring of Miquella” in-game gestures, both also earnable later through normal play

What’s Actually Included

Tarnished Edition isn’t a slimmed-down port. It bundles the complete 2022 Game of the Year winner with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, so newcomers get the full Lands Between experience, Land of Shadow included, in a single package. On top of that, Bandai Namco has added content that’s exclusive to this edition at launch:

Two new starting classes for fresh playthroughs
New character armor sets not seen in the original release
Customization options for Torrent, the player’s spectral steed

Torrent customization, exclusive to Tarnished Edition

PS5, Xbox and PC Aren’t Left Out

The new classes, armor sets and Torrent customization aren’t staying on Switch 2. Bandai Namco confirmed the same content ships the same day, August 28, as a separate DLC pack called the Tarnished Pack for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. So if you already own Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree elsewhere, you won’t need to rebuy anything to get the new cosmetics and classes, just the DLC pack itself.

One of the new armor sets added in Tarnished Edition

Why the Switch 2 Version Took So Long

Tarnished Edition was originally teased alongside the Switch 2 reveal back in April 2025 and expected to launch that same year. A Gamescom 2025 demo raised immediate concerns after players reported significant frame-rate issues, and FromSoftware pushed the release into 2026 to keep optimizing. Since then, newer builds shown at events like PAX West and in a more recent hands-on preview have looked notably smoother, and Bandai Namco has not detailed final resolution or frame-rate targets ahead of launch.

Quick FAQ

Do I need to buy Shadow of the Erdtree separately?
No. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition already includes the full base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in one package.

Can I get the new classes and Torrent skins without a Switch 2?
Yes. The Tarnished Pack brings the same new classes, armor and Torrent customization to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC on the same release day.

Is this the same Elden Ring that won Game of the Year?
Yes, the core game is unchanged. Tarnished Edition adds cosmetic and starting-class options on top of the original 2022 release and its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

Final Word

Landing a 28-million-selling, multi-Game-of-the-Year winner on Nintendo hardware for the first time is a genuinely big deal for Switch 2’s third-party lineup, delay and all. Whether you’re a returning Tarnished chasing the new armor and Torrent looks or a newcomer getting the complete Lands Between experience in one box, August 28 is the day to watch.

Keep the adventure going! Check out our latest posts for more tips, reviews and gaming news here: Gaming

Picture Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment