YouTuber claims Elden Ring Tarnished Edition performance on Switch 2 now beats Steam Deck

FromSoftware delayed the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition release date to further optimize its visuals. If a recent Milan Games Week demo is any indication, that decision may be paying dividends. Spanish YouTuber Ray Bacon found that the game’s handheld mode offers improved performance. He goes so far as to say the experience on the Switch 2 is now superior to the Steam Deck.

Debuting at Gamescom 2025, the FromSoftware title struggled mightily in mobile form. Frame rates dropped below 30 fps, with larger zones like Limgrave exacerbating the stuttering. Most worrying, battle animations became choppy, making it difficult to execute precise attacks.

The event didn’t give Ray Bacon the opportunity to play the Switch 2 game in docked mode. Although there is noticeable glare in the video, gamers can appreciate the well-defined buildings and vegetation. Exploring open-world areas didn’t result in the massive hiccups seen earlier. Fighting is still a bit sluggish, but the YouTuber found the engagements fluid enough to enjoy.

Elden Ring Switch 2 fans shouldn't celebrate yet

There remains room for FromSoftware to refine the Elden Ring Switch 2 version. Foliage in front of characters often loads at the last second, which can be somewhat distracting. Nevertheless, the tester concludes that portable mode met all his expectations. He is also eager to learn how the added power when docked will boost performance.

Ray Bacon also declares that the Switch 2 is a preferred option to play the Souls-like game on the road. Elden Ring is Steam Deck-verified, but reducing settings significantly is required to achieve higher than 30 fps. With its 1080p screen, Nintendo’s handheld seems to have a definitive edge in image quality.

When developers have time to leverage the Switch 2 specs, ports for the console can benefit. Star Wars Outlaws looked rough in hands-on demos, but the final version was far more impressive. Hopefully, by the time the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition release date arrives, fans will see similar gains.