Nintendo’s Switch 2 is facing an important test as FromSoftware arrives on the platform with Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition and the Switch 2-exclusive multiplayer game The Duskbloods. Their success could strengthen Nintendo’s long-running effort to secure major third-party support, particularly after the original Switch missed out on Elden Ring in 2022 because of hardware limitations.

Early reviews suggest Elden Ring works well as a handheld experience, though it performs less smoothly than on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The Duskbloods has drawn mixed reactions after its network test: some players welcome its unusual points-based elimination format, while others question whether it suits FromSoftware’s strengths. Nintendo and FromSoftware’s future partnership may depend on whether players accept these compromises and embrace the new exclusive.