Elden Ring Hits Switch in August—$80 Port Sparks Outrage

With this release, the Lands Between and the Shadow Realm will be resurrected in all their open‑world glory, crafted by Hidetaka Miyazaki and the renowned author George R.R. Martin. Yet what was meant to be a joyous celebration has quickly sparked heated debate across social media, as the company’s commercial choices have drawn sharp criticism.

In response, the player base has split into factions, with a surge of negative commentary condemning the cost and format. Users across social channels have voiced frustration, asking, “Is it $80 for a port and a code card?” Others have added exasperated remarks such as “A code card for $80—are they all insane?” and “$80 plus taxes for a four‑year‑old game delivered as a code that nobody knows how to run—this is madness.”

Despite the fierce criticism, some more measured players have pointed out that the original game, along with its expansion, is priced at a solid $80 on platforms like Steam. Others advise their peers to hold off and observe the performance before buying, noting that Bandai Namco has a track record of less-than-stellar Switch ports.

Setting aside the controversy, the bright side is that the new content will arrive on PC and other consoles on the same day, offsetting the fact that the edition was initially slated as a launch title for the Switch 2 but was pushed back to 2026 due to performance issues discovered during earlier testing. The bundle will finally introduce exciting additions such as the formidable Heavy Knight, complete with a new curved greatsword and no shield, and the nimble Knight of Ides, who starts the game with an impressive armor set and the famed lightweight Milady sword, along with beloved classics like Lucatiel’s outfit from Dark Souls 2.

While many gamers and journalists had expected a free update, a report from PC Gamer reveals growing concerns after a close review of the press releases. Initially thought to be a simple mistranslation hinting at a charge, the latest official statement from Bandai Namco is unequivocal: “ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition will launch on August 28 for Nintendo Switch 2, and the new content will also be available for purchase on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.”

In a final note, the “master race” news outlet suggests that if we give the company the benefit of the doubt, the phrase might indicate that new copies of the game will come with the content included from the outset. However, the wording feels more like an unlikely excuse when read carefully and realistically. Regardless, if the much‑anticipated update ends up costing only a few dollars, it is unlikely to spark major backlash from the community. Some experts even argue that charging for this patch almost feels like a promise that we will receive something far bigger and more significant than what has been shown so far, so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and await Bandai Namco’s response to the press inquiries to clear up the confusion.