Gamescom Shock 2: Hands-on Debacle
- At gamescom 2025, attendees and press were given a first glimpse of the Tarnished Edition of elden Ring running on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.While initial...
- The primary concern centers around the handheld mode's frame rate, which is reportedly capped at 30 frames per second but frequently falls below that target.
- Bandai Namco imposed a strict restriction on direct gameplay recordings and "over-the-shoulder" footage during the event.
Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2: Performance concerns Emerge from Gamescom 2025
Table of Contents
First Look at the Tarnished Edition
At gamescom 2025, attendees and press were given a first glimpse of the Tarnished Edition of elden Ring running on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.While initial impressions of the game’s graphics were positive, reports quickly surfaced regarding notable performance issues. Early coverage from outlets like IGN and nintendo Life, particularly from video producer Felix Sanchez, described the handheld experience as a “disaster.”
Frame rate Struggles: A Detriment to Gameplay
The primary concern centers around the handheld mode’s frame rate, which is reportedly capped at 30 frames per second but frequently falls below that target. Players experienced consistent frame drops,particularly in open areas like Limgrave,with performance fluctuating between stable moments and dips to around 20 fps – and even lower at times. One observer likened the experience to playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, highlighting the jarring nature of the performance issues and their impact on combat and camera control.
Limited Access and a Preliminary Build
Bandai Namco imposed a strict restriction on direct gameplay recordings and “over-the-shoulder” footage during the event. This suggests the build showcased was a work-in-progress, and the publisher has yet to officially comment on the observed performance. It’s reasonable to assume that significant optimization is still underway before the game’s eventual release.
What’s New in the Tarnished Edition?
The Tarnished Edition bundles the core Elden ring experience with bonus content and introduces two new starting classes: the Knight of Ides and the Heavy Knight. These new classes, along with additional cosmetic items and gameplay enhancements, are also planned for release on PC and PlayStation platforms, either as an update or a separate package.