Elden Ring Pricing Debate Intensifies Ahead of Switch 2 Release
By Published Apr 30, 2026, 9:36 AM EDT Chris is a Gaming Editor at ScreenRant. He has been a professional writer since 2009, and has written for top TV, comics, movie, and video game outlets like Engadget, Polygon, Destructoid, and more. He brings with him an expertise in every game genre, no matter how niche or mainstream.
You may know him as the former Managing/Reviews Editor of Destructoid, where he published hundreds of game reviews across every genre, including MMOs, sports games, and Metroidvanias.
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Fans just can't get enough of . Despite its release in 2026, we've gotten a fully-fledged expansion in Shadow of the Erdtree, as well as a spinoff in Elden Ring Nightreign. Both have gotten fantastic reception overall, with the latter still in operation and going strong.
Of course, folks could always go for more. While developer FromSoftware is hard at work on multiple games at any given moment, just like the Souls series or Bloodborne, . There's something about the world that is so intriguing and begs further investigation, which is no surprise that it has sold over 10 million copies and counting. It's an evergreen action-RPG.
Well, we're getting some more this year, but not everyone is happy about it. Over on Reddit, fans are debating the price, thanks to a newly minted listing that officially confirmed how much they will have to pay.
The cat is finally out of the bag. Although Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was originally supposed to come out last year (I even got my hands on a playable build at PAX West), it's slated to come out later this year, and the price is now fully known. Gamers learned that this updated edition of the game will cost $79.99 on Switch 2 (as a game key card), prompting a ton of reactions.
For reference, the Tarnished Edition is kind of like a "Game of the Year" version of the game, with new starting classes and quality-of-life improvements baked in. Those extras are slated to be available in other versions of the game, but on Switch 2, you can get the Tarnished Edition and be on your way with the latest updates.
For roughly $80, though, a lot of fans aren't impressed: "No, 100% will not purchase this game. I already have the physical version of the other game. Most people should play on the other platform. With $80 game key card is not worth it. The sales price is worth for this switch 2."
Others are torn on Switch 2 game prices in general: "Switch 2 game prices are depressing. As much as I like being able to play some of these older ported games in their optimized handheld format...but the game prices are eye-watering, especially for older games I already own on other platforms."
Some fans don't mind, and see the game as a stone-cold classic that's worth the price: "80 bucks for a game that’s a straight masterpiece and packed with content is great."
Because of this discovery, folks are concerned that Duskbloods (slated as a Switch 2 exclusive) will also be priced at $80. It's entirely possible, as we haven't gotten a full reveal yet. It should be noted that, while Elden Ring is an older release, Shadow of the Erdtree is still $40 on digital platforms as a standalone title (and $50 with Elden Ring).
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No matter how this Elden Ring Switch 2 release turns out, though, it's already cemented its legacy. An expensive port isn't going to change that.
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