Elden Ringis easily one of the biggest and most influential AAA video games of the 2020s so far, and it’s coming to theNintendo Switch 2later this year, meaning that Nintendo-exclusive players can finally experience the brutal, avant-garde open-world adventure. While this is great news for now, it should be followed by more,somewhat obvious Switch 2 reveals.
Nintendo platforms have unfortunately missed out on the overwhelming majority of FromSoftware games. Of course,Demon’s SoulsandBloodbornenever made their way to Nintendo platforms, nor any non-Sony system for that matter, butDark Souls 2,Dark Souls 3,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, andArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconhave been absent from the Switch as well. In fact, the only major FromSoftware game available on the Switch, at the time of writing, isDark Souls Remasteredwhich, while a welcome addition (especially after several much-needed post-launch patches), isn’t anywhere near enough. Now that Nintendo has broken the seal by bringingElden Ringonto theSwitch 2, it should continue to cozy up with FromSoftware.
It’s Long Past Time for More FromSoftware Games On a Nintendo Console
There’s No Excuse for Nintendo Skipping Most Contemporary FromSoftware Titles
Time will tell justhow wellElden Ringwill perform on the Switch 2, but audiences can probably rest easy knowing that it will, at the very least, run. This is significant, asElden Ringis arguably FromSoftware’s most technically impressive and demanding title to date: it is visually stunning and dense, with huge draw distances and virtually no loading screens, making for a contiguous open-world experience. Its fidelity and density of POIs puts it leagues ahead of something likeTears of the Kingdom, whose ability to run on the Switch is already miraculous. That is to say, it makes sense thatElden Ringwas never ported to the less-powerful Switch 1.
But the game’s arrival on the Switch 2 indicates that the console is sufficiently powerful to run it, meaning that it should be more than suitable for the likes ofDark Souls 3andSekiro.Dark Souls 2is a no-brainer, as it wasoriginally released on the Xbox 360and PlayStation 3—consoles considerably less beefy than even the first-generation Switch. There’s always the chance of messy licensing issues, but it’s worth noting thatDS2,DS3, andArmored Core 6were all published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the same publisher ofElden RingandDark Souls Remastered, so such problems seem relatively unlikely.
FromSoftware’s Ouevre Would Greatly Benefit Nintendo’s Long-Term Marketing Plans
It’s clear that Nintendo has been looking to expand its family-friendly image in recent years, making a concerted effort to market both generations of the Switch to adults in addition to children and families. Part of this push to broaden target demographics has been an increased focus on action-RPGs, especially those that dabble in more mature themes likeBayonettaandDark Souls. Nintendo’s desire to appeal to a broader, older audience is more clear than ever followingthe reveal ofThe Duskbloods, a Switch 2-exclusive FromSoftware game about vampiric forces in a quasi-Gothic, steampunk setting—not exactly what young kids are going to trip over each other to play.
If Nintendo is looking to make theSwitch 2 a viable alternativeto other current-gen systems, not just for Nintendo fans, but for all gamers, then adopting more titles from FromSoftware’s catalog simply makes sense. Precious few developers are as universally respected and consistently well-reviewed as FromSoftware, and the studio’s famously challenging games, with surprisingly nuanced, sophisticated stories, are a great fit for audiences looking for a more mature, demanding interactive experience. Nintendo seemingly wants to provide that, so it would be smart to get in bed with FromSoftware.
Nintendo Switch 2
The successor to 2017’s Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 06, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
