The Duskbloods Beating Elden Ring to the Switch 2 Punch Would Be a Blessing in Disguise

However, the real unknown is which of these two FromSoftware games will hit the Switch 2 first. Since Elden Ring has already been available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles since 2022, it would be natural to assume that Elden Ring would be the first to come to the Switch 2. After Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was delayed, The Duskbloods has the chance to be the first of these upcoming FromSoftware titles to hit the Switch 2, and that wouldn’t be the worst outcome for this situation.

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The Duskbloods Could Be Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 Before Elden Ring

The Duskbloods was officially revealed as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive back in April 2025 during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct. Alongside this reveal was the announcement that Elden Ring would also be getting a Switch 2 release in the form of the Tarnished Edition. Originally, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was slated for a 2025 release, with The Duskbloods scheduled for 2026. However, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was delayed out of its 2025 release window back in October.

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With Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition pushed out of its 2025 release window, the door is open for The Duskbloods to leapfrog it as the next FromSoftware game coming to the Switch 2. As a Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods offers Nintendo fans the unique opportunity to experience its PvPvE combat through online multiplayer gameplay. While this might not be the definitive FromSoftware experience for first-time Switch owners, the pairing of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition should give Nintendo fans the best of both worlds.

The Duskblood’s Release Date May Have Been Leaked

The wait for The Duskbloods might be close to ending, according to a recent release date leak. A listing for The Duskbloods was spotted on the Australian Nintendo eShop for the first time, and the Finnish website Konsolinet had the game listed as releasing on March 27 before quickly changing it back to the default December 31 placeholder. While it’s possible that these listings are just a coincidence or retail error, rumors of a new Nintendo Direct at the end of February could bring news of an imminent release for The Duskbloods and even a potential update on Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition‘s release date.

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Elden Ring Doesn’t Need to Rush to the Switch 2

It may seem odd for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition to release after The Duskbloods, especially since it was originally planned to launch in 2025. But a longer delay may actually be for the best, as hands-on impressions from players who got to test Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 reported that it has severe performance issues on the console. Presumably, these performance issues were the reason for the delay, and having more time to iron them out, especially with The Duskbloods as an option to tide players over in the meantime.

Even on Other Consoles, Elden Ring Has Notorious Performance Issues

Elden Ring‘s Switch 2 performance issues aren’t all that surprising in hindsight. The game infamously had trouble running even on the most powerful PCs at launch, and was unable to hit 60fps on both PS5 and Xbox Series X on release. These performance issues also led Elden Ring to debut to Mixed review on Steam, despite the overall rave reviews elsewhere. While Elden Ring has largely fixed these issues on other platforms, it’s understandable that FromSoftware would want to launch the game in the best state possible on Nintendo Switch 2 to avoid a repeat of its initial launch woes.

The Duskbloods Could Keep FromSoftware Fans Occupied Until Elden Ring’s Switch 2 Port is Ready

If The Duskbloods really is releasing as soon as March 27, it has the chance to be a stopgap for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. A brand-new IP like The Duskbloods will be a test for FromSoftware and its soulslike audience on the Nintendo Switch 2, which could inform how Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition‘s release is approached. In the event that The Duskbloods doesn’t capture the same number of players as FromSoftware’s more traditional soulslike titles, then Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will still be in the developer’s back pocket as it works to optimize its Switch 2 performance.

On the other hand, if The Duskbloods becomes the next hit Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, then it gives FromSoftware some breathing room with Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, allowing the developer more time to refine the port. Conversely, if Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is rushed to release first and its Switch 2 performance tanks, then it could affect player expectations for The Duskbloods and leave an untested IP trapped between a rock and a hard place. Since The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive, it’s likely being developed with the console’s hardware limitations in mind, giving it a better chance to shine on the platform and make a good first impression for FromSoftware’s Switch 2 line-up if it releases before Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition.

Systems

Released

2026

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Number of Players

1-8 players

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