Elden Ring is back in the spotlight for Switch 2 after a rough Gamescom 2025 demo forced Bandai Namco to delay the port. At GDC 2026, the publisher let attendees record over-the-shoulder handheld gameplay, showing off months of performance adjustment work. The verdict: much better optimization, even if the visuals take a hit.
For players eyeing the Switch 2 as their next main console, this is big. The GDC demo ran in both handheld and docked modes, with Limgrave looking solid and the framerate holding steady at 30-40 FPS. That’s a clear step up from the Gamescom build, which struggled in handheld. The catch? Attendees only got 15 minutes, so it’s unclear how the port holds up during chaotic boss fights or heavy effects.
What’s New in the Demo?
The GDC build showed off more than just technical fixes. Players caught a glimpse of new Knight classes and fresh options to customize Torrent, your trusty steed. These tweaks point to a port that isn’t just a straight downgrade, but one that’s getting some love in the transition to portable play.
Graphical sacrifices are obvious-textures and effects are dialed back, but the core experience is intact. For Switch 2 owners, that means you can finally take From Software’s open-world monster on the go without feeling like you’re missing the point.
Switch 2: Third-Party Power Play
Switch 2 is shaping up as a real contender for big AAA games. Elden Ring joins a growing list of ambitious ports like Final Fantasy Remake, Star Wars Outlaws, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. These titles prioritize stable performance over cutting-edge graphics, which seems to be the winning formula for Nintendo’s hardware.
More third-party hits are on the way, including Tales of Arise and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Meanwhile, first-party games like 2027’s Pokemon Winds and Waves will push the hardware even further. For players, this means a more robust library and fewer reasons to skip Nintendo’s next-gen device.
The bottom line
- Elden Ring on Switch 2 finally looks playable in handheld and docked modes, with stable framerates and smart graphical trade-offs.
- New class and mount customization options hint at extra content for portable players.
- Switch 2 is proving it can handle more third-party AAA games than expected, expanding its appeal beyond Nintendo diehards.