Elden Ring on Switch 2 Runs Smoothly

Performance Overview

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 reaches 30-60 frames per second throughout the Lands Between, a range that keeps the game playable even when the handheld’s power is stretched. The title’s performance is consistent enough that the first bosses-Margit and Godrick-feel familiar to players accustomed to a 60-FPS PC experience. The Switch 2’s docked mode keeps the frame rate stable, and the visual fidelity remains close to the PC version, though the lower FPS introduces a noticeable “thick air” that can feel sluggish during combat.

The only real friction comes from the Switch 2’s button layout: the Joy-Con’s ‘A’ and ‘X’ are swapped from the usual ‘B’ and ‘Y’, which initially made dodging and interacting feel odd. However, the learning curve is shallow, and most players adapt quickly.

Boss Fight Challenges

The first major hiccup appears during the Red Wolf of Radagon encounter in Liurnia of the Lakes. This agile foe jumps, lunges, and summons a magical sword, and the Switch 2 struggles to maintain frame rate when the sword is in motion. The resulting frame drops are severe enough that the player can barely dodge, forcing a shift to ranged tactics with the Reduvia Dagger. In contrast, the following boss, Rennala, runs smoothly, and the earlier bosses, Margit and Godrick, present no noticeable issues.

Later bosses, especially those in the DLC, raise further concerns. The Divine Beast Dancing Lion and Messmer the Impaler both push the Switch 2’s limits; the former has already caused frame drops on a PC, and the latter is one of the fastest bosses in the game. These fights hint that the Switch 2 may struggle with the more demanding encounters that lie ahead.

New Content and DLC

The Tarnished Edition introduces two new starting classes, one of which grants a Light Greatsword-our second standard Light Greatsword in the game. Players can view the full roster of classes in the game’s squad section. The DLC, Realm of Shadow, adds the final boss, Promised Consort Radahn, whose battle is described as the toughest fight FromSoftware has created to date. The fight tests both skill and hardware, as the PC version already struggled with the barrage of Gravity attacks. Players can track progress and stats in the game’s stats area.

The DLC’s ending is a spoiler, but the article notes that the final boss remains a significant concern for Switch 2 owners. The author plans to continue the game to see how the hardware handles the remaining bosses.

The final boss, Promised Consort Radahn, remains the biggest test for the Nintendo Switch 2.