The arrival of Elden Ring on the Nintendo Switch 2 has been a long and winding road, fraught with technical challenges. Initial previews painted a grim picture, leading to significant delays in the game’s release. Now, after extensive optimization, Elden Ring is finally hitting shelves on August 28th. But does this extra development time translate into a satisfying experience on Nintendo’s hybrid console, or are the compromises too glaring to ignore?
A Tale of Two Frame Rates
Senior video producer Jake Dekker spent over a week meticulously testing Elden Ring in both docked and handheld modes. His findings reveal a game that maintains a consistent frame rate, albeit not at its highest potential. “While there are definitely frame drops,” Dekker explains, “they’re nowhere near as severe as what we saw in some of the earlier previews. The game runs much smoother overall. However, the frame rate isn’t perfect. I primarily played in docked mode, but also experimented with handheld, and even there, occasional dips occur. It’s not so jarring or unplayable, but those accustomed to the silky smooth 60 frames per second on PC, Xbox Series X, or PlayStation 5 will undoubtedly notice the difference. The Switch 2 version simply doesn’t reach that level of fluidity.”
Bandai Namco has yet to officially announce the target resolution and frame rate for Elden Ring on the Switch 2, but it appears the game largely aims for a consistent 30 frames per second in docked mode. While a higher frame rate, particularly during demanding boss battles where precise timing is crucial, would have undoubtedly made those encounters slightly more manageable, the current 30fps performance doesn’t render the experience unplayable. If you can tolerate a lower frame rate, the “Tarnished Edition” of Elden Ring, packed with content and including the critically acclaimed Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, offers a compelling reason to dive into The Lands Between on Nintendo’s latest console.
Priced at $80, this comprehensive package represents a significant investment. Those seeking the absolute best possible visual fidelity and performance should consider the PC, PlayStation, or Xbox versions, which offer technically superior options. However, for those willing to make some compromises in exchange for the unique portability of the Nintendo Switch 2 experience, Elden Ring offers a surprisingly enjoyable adventure.
If a smoother frame rate is a deal-breaker, keep an eye out for From Software’s upcoming title, The Duskbloods, which is also slated for release on the Switch 2 and promises a 60fps souls-like experience. Check out the first look at The Duskbloods and get hyped!
Darryn Bonthuys has been writing about video games since 2011, and joined GameSpot in 2020 where he’s had the distinct pleasure of adding a few “Onyx-pected” jokes to Pokémon news.
Jake’s journey into gaming began with a Game Boy and a copy of Pokémon Red. He still loves talking about Pokémon, but also has a deep appreciation for games like The Witcher, Dark Souls, and Zelda.
Connect with Jake Dekker on Bluesky @jacobdekk.bsky.social
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