Elden Ring on Switch 2 Comes With a Big Catch

It seems as though the physical version of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a Game-Key Card, meaning the full game will not be on the cartridge. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is set to bring one of the most beloved games of the last five years to Nintendo gamers, bundling the massive open-world adventure in the base game with the critically-acclaimed Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

The release of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 is exciting for more than just Nintendo gamers. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition introduces new content in the form of fresh armor, weapons, and customization options for the beloved mount Torrent that will also be added to the existing versions of Elden Ring on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. This has earned a lot of goodwill from fans, but unfortunately, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 does come with a catch that may leave some disappointed.

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Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition – Official Nintendo Switch 2 Trailer

Check out the official Nintendo Switch 2 trailer for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition.

According to Play-Asia, as spotted by Wario64, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 will be a Game-Key Card. For the uninitiated, Switch 2 Game-Key Cards don’t actually have the games on them. Instead, they let players download the digital versions of the game, with players able to continue accessing said titles by inserting the Game-Key Card as though they were physical games. Such titles will be marked as such, so fans will always know before they buy. It’s possible Play-Asia’s information is incorrect, but for now, it seems as though Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 will indeed be a Game-Key Card release.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition Seems to Be a Game-Key Card Release

Game-Key Cards are another step toward an all-digital future that has some fans of physical games worried. While their existence is disappointing, the bright side is that Nintendo is making some improvements to digital game ownership. For example, the Switch 2 will let players share digital games with their friends in a manner not unlike sharing physical game cartridges. This feature is also coming to the original Switch in an update at the end of April.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is currently without a release date, but we do know that it will not be a part of the Switch 2 launch lineup. Currently, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is set for a vague 2025 release date on the Switch 2. Whenever it comes out, fans can expect the new content in it to be released on other versions of Elden Ring at the same time.

Action

Adventure

RPG

Soulslike

Systems

Released

2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence