Amazon has listed Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for pre-order on the Nintendo Switch 2 priced at $79.99, which suggests the game’s release may be close. This edition is being presented as a complete package made for Nintendo’s new hardware and includes the full base game together with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.
The Switch 2 version is also expected to include extra content, such as two new starting classes — Heavy Knight and Knight of Ides — four new armor sets, and three customization options for Torrent. It is also likely to include platform-specific tweaks and other changes designed for the Switch 2 hardware.
The Amazon listing also confirms that the physical version will be released as a Game-Key Card instead of a standard cartridge. Unlike a normal game card, it contains almost no game data and mainly acts as a physical license for downloading the digital version. This means players will still need to download the full game after purchase, likely because the file size reportedly reaches around 75 GB with the expansion included. While this format has already drawn criticism from collectors, it is becoming more common for large third-party Switch 2 releases. Unlike digital download keys however, Game-Key Cards can be resold or borrowed to others.
Another thing to note is the $79.99 price, which might be a little surprising, especially considering that Elden Ring originally launched in 2022. However, the pricing is in line with the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition already available on PS5 and Xbox, which also bundles the base game and the DLC at the same price. This also follows the growing trend of several third-party Switch 2 games launching at the $80 price point, such as Cyberpunk 2077.
As for the release window, Amazon currently lists a placeholder date of December 31, 2026. However, the game is officially expected to launch sometime in 2026 after a previous delay from 2025 due to performance optimizations.
