Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition Pre-Orders Appear on Amazon for $79.99, but a Release Date Is Still Missing

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A special edition of Elden Ring, called the Tarnished Edition, is now available for pre-order on Amazon for $79.99, sparking excitement – especially as the Nintendo Switch 2 release gets closer. While the listing reveals the likely price on Nintendo’s new console, it still doesn’t announce when the game will actually be released.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is in a strange situation. Nintendo has officially announced the game and lists it for release on the upcoming Switch 2 in 2026, and pre-orders are even open, but a specific release date hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Amazon Listing Puts the Price at $79.99

The most noteworthy detail is an Amazon listing for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, priced at $79.99. This suggests the game will be among the most expensive titles available for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This price is likely to cause discussion for a couple of reasons: Elden Ring has been out for a while, so it’s not a new game, and the listing indicates this version is a digital code card, not a physical game cartridge.

The price seems more reasonable when you consider everything included in the package. Nintendo explains that the Tarnished Edition comes with the full game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, plus extra items like new weapons, armor, and customizations for your horse, Torrent. Bandai Namco originally announced it as a complete package containing the game and its biggest expansion.

The Release Window Is Still Broad

The biggest unknown right now is the specific release date. Nintendo’s website only says the new system will come out in 2026, without mentioning a month or day. So, even though Amazon is taking pre-orders, it doesn’t mean the launch date is completely finalized. In fact, reports also note that there’s no confirmed date for when the system will be available in stores.

The release date for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 has changed. When Bandai Namco first announced the game in April 2025, they said it would come out sometime in 2025. However, Nintendo’s website now lists a 2026 release, indicating a delay since the initial announcement.

What Tarnished Edition Includes on Switch 2

If you haven’t been following news about the new Switch version, the ‘Tarnished Edition’ of Elden Ring is being presented as the definitive experience on Nintendo consoles. Nintendo says it includes the complete Elden Ring game, the ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ expansion, and extra options to personalize your character. While Bandai Namco plans to release the extra content on other systems separately, this Switch 2 package is being sold as a complete bundle.

This bundle is more appealing to new players than to those who already own the game. Someone who’s never played Elden Ring might see it as the perfect way to start, while existing fans who already have the game and its expansion may find it harder to justify the $79.99 price. This isn’t a flaw, it’s simply how these things usually work from a business perspective.

Why the Listing Matters Even Without a Date

It’s rare to see a game available for pre-order before its official release is announced, particularly one like this. This suggests retailers are preparing for the launch, even if a public release date hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the game will be released soon. Currently, the most reliable information is that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is still scheduled for a 2026 release, and Amazon is now accepting pre-orders in the US for $79.99.

Currently, we’re waiting for Bandai Namco, FromSoftware, or Nintendo to officially announce a release date. We now know the price and what’s included in the game, but the lack of a confirmed date is becoming more and more apparent as the launch window approaches. Fans have a good idea of how much the game will cost to play on the Switch 2, but they still don’t know when they’ll be able to actually get their hands on it.

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2026-04-09 19:28