Elden Ring Switch 2 Gamescom performance called a "disaster", raising concerns about third-party games

The boosted Switch 2 specs have enticed more third-party games to support the handheld. Unfortunately, while Cyberpunk 2077 impresses, not all titles perform smoothly. The latest concern is with Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, which will release on Nintendo’s console in 2025. Several media members tested a Gamescom 2025 demo and are reporting significant frame rate drops.

One red flag for some players was a restriction on recording any Elden Ring Tarnished Edition footage. IGN and Nintendo Life, nevertheless, have shared their impressions of the game’s performance.

Both outlets only played the Elden Ring Switch 2 demo in handheld mode. At the start of gameplay, the frame rate held steady, but once entering open areas, performance degrades. Camera movements are critical to effective combat, but were especially uneven. Graphical settings may help with choppiness, but IGN found no options at all in the game’s menus.

On the positive side, the characters, landscapes, and enemies looked sufficiently detailed. However, still photos would not convey the struggle as players explore The Lands Between. IGN summarized the experience as a “disaster”, with Nintendo Life having a similar harsh conclusion.

Warning signs about Elden Ring Switch 2 performance

Since Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition premiered at the April 2nd Nintendo Direct, players haven’t heard much about the Switch 2 game. Still, in the first trailer, careful observers noted some inconsistent frame rates.

FromSoftware titles don’t have a stellar reputation for graphical optimization. Even in performance mode, Xbox Series X owners occasionally observe stuttering with Elden Ring. Regardless, the situation has improved since launch, and it’s quite possible the Switch 2 game will benefit from more development. Gamescom 2025 has not yet narrowed down a precise Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition release date.

For now, the best portable option for the Soulslike action-RPG is the Steam Deck or a handheld gaming PC. Elden Ring is Steam Deck-verified, which gives hope that with Switch 2 specs supporting DLSS upscaling, frame rates may improve.