It's been just over a year since it was announced, but we'll finally be able to play Elden Ring on the Switch 2 this August. However, rather than just porting the game and its DLC, FromSoftware has included a few extra pieces of content to make the wait and price tag just a little more worthwhile.

These additions are only available in the Tarnished Edition, and there are actually some pretty surprising bonuses that many people had been asking for since the game launched. So, if you have never experienced the greatness that is Elden Ring, then now is the perfect time to pick it up for some on-the-go gaming on the Switch 2, in its most complete and jam-packed version to date.

Torrent Customization

Looking Good On The Go

  • Three different designs for Torrent.
  • Only available in the Tarnished Edition.

Perhaps the biggest addition coming with the Switch 2 edition of Elden Ring is the ability to customize Torrent. Players have been asking for this feature for years, and with this latest edition, we will finally be able to change the way our beloved mount looks as we gallop off into the sunset.

The Tarnished Edition will come with three customization options, with the white-silver version already shown off in the trailers and screenshots. It does feel a little bittersweet, as I had always wanted to be able to paint or change how Torrent looks right from the start, but like many things, I would still argue that it is better late than never.

New Starting Classes

Another Reason To Start Over Again

  • Heavy Knight and Idus Knight.
  • Distinct starting stats and gear.

Elden Ring is a long game with so many different arcs and sections that many players will forget they even chose a starting class at the beginning. Each one brings with it a basic set of statistics and a unique gear set that allows them to stand out from one another, and when the Tarnished Edition drops, we will get to play as a couple of new warriors that have never been seen before.

First is the Idus Knight, a lightweight class that emphasizes dexterity. Second is the Heavy Knight, and as the name suggests, you will be on the bulkier side with this build, equipped with a beefy scimitar and an equally large set of armor. It is cool to see more available options right from the get-go, and I would expect the armor worn by these classes to still be available in the world for those who want the new look but don't want to run the classes themselves.

New Weapons And Armor

More Ways To Play

  • Weapons and armor exclusive to the Tarnished Edition.
  • Equipment taken from older FromSoftware games.

When it comes to more functional content additions, we are going to receive a handful of new weapons in the Tarnished Edition, but keen-eyed FromSoftware fans have already spotted that the gear isn't completely unique in its design. After the success of Nightreign, it makes perfect sense that FromSoftware would want to bring back even more content from its previous games, and in this case, it will be in the form of weapons and outfits from iconic characters across the soulslike landscape.

One armor set is very reminiscent of Lucatiel from Dark Souls 2, though with a slightly altered design, and the others come from Dark Souls 3, with Henri of Astora and Horace the Hushed being echoed in two of the other sets. This kind of homage is really cool to see, and I, for one, am very excited to discover what the final few pieces are.

Test your knowledge.

DLC Bundle

Two Exceptional Experiences In One

  • Shadow of the Erdtree included in the Tarnished Edition.
  • No option without the DLC.

In the past, you had a lot of choice over how much Elden Ring you wanted to buy. If you wanted to jump into the deep end and grab the DLC straight away, then there was a bundle for that, or if the base game seemed like enough at the time, then you were more than welcome to stick to the cheaper version and pick up the DLC later.

For the Switch 2 Tarnished Edition, there is only one version available, which includes both the main game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in a single, complete package. Like many other Switch games, it is on the pricier side, but the overall deal is still cheaper than the two were at launch. This is Elden Ring after all, so it is well worth the investment.

Physical Edition/Preorder Bonuses

A Few Extra Treats In The Box

  • Physical edition comes with a poster, in limited quantities.
  • Preorder bonus of in-game gestures.

With all the discussion around physical media lately, it is nice to see FromSoftware giving us something with the physical version of the Tarnished Edition. For those who want the Switch 2 box, you will also get an "Origin & Map Poster" alongside an exclusive case if you are lucky to get in early enough.

If the stock does run dry, however, your preorder will still come with two gestures, the Pose of the Ring and Ring of Miquella. If we are heading into a future without physical game copies, then I would highly recommend bolstering that collection now, as the Tarnished Edition may well be one of the last FromSoftware releases to see an actual game box.

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Tag Page Cover Art

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
Action
Adventure
RPG
Soulslike
Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 97%
Released
August 28, 2026
ESRB
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
FromSoftware

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
Action, Adventure, RPG, Soulslike