Handheld gamers eager for the next wave of FromSoftware releases have been stuck in a frustrating quiet period, especially when it comes to two projects tied to Nintendo’s next console. Since both The Duskbloods and the Elden Ring Switch 2 version were first highlighted back in April 2025, official news has been scarce. A recent Nintendo presentation that focused on partner titles didn’t include either game, leaving fans to wonder if the projects had slipped further behind the scenes.
A new update has helped calm some of those worries. In its Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 report, Kadokawa (FromSoftware’s parent company) referenced both games while discussing its business outlook, noting that The Duskbloods and Elden Ring Tarnished Edition are still planned for release in 2026. The statement itself is brief, but it’s meaningful: it reinforces that both titles remain in the pipeline and haven’t quietly disappeared.
Kadokawa also followed up with an FAQ that addressed the two games, likely anticipating investor questions. Still, the company didn’t provide the details fans are hoping for. There’s no narrower launch window within 2026, and no sales forecast tied to either release—only the suggestion that Nintendo’s new hardware could contribute positively to future results.
What we know about The Duskbloods so far is still mostly based on its original reveal. It’s described as a gothic-themed Switch 2 exclusive built around online play that mixes PvP and PvE, with 8-player matches. That alone makes it one of the more unusual projects from a studio known primarily for intense single-player action RPGs. Beyond that broad setup, specifics remain unclear, which is why many players are now mainly asking for one thing: more gameplay footage and a better explanation of how the multiplayer format works.
The Elden Ring situation has raised even more questions. The Switch 2 port, titled Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, was originally expected in 2025, but concerns started to build after early impressions suggested optimization challenges. Those performance worries appear to have played a role in the release being pushed to 2026. When it does arrive, it’s expected to include the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion as part of the package, making it a more complete edition for new players and a tempting handheld option for returning ones.
Even though Switch 2 specs are positioned to handle bigger, more demanding games, not every title transitions smoothly—especially when engine-level features don’t align with modern handheld optimization strategies. One potential factor noted is that the Elden Ring engine does not support DLSS upscaling, which can matter when developers are trying to balance sharp visuals with stable performance on console hardware. Still, the key takeaway from the financial update is that the project remains scheduled rather than shelved.
With neither game showing up in the early-February Nintendo broadcast, fans are now watching for another rumored Nintendo presentation later in the month or in March. If that happens, it could be the next realistic opportunity to see fresh footage, clearer release timing, or confirmation of how these two 2026 releases will fit into the Switch 2 lineup.
For now, the wait continues—but at least the most important question has a firmer answer: both The Duskbloods and Elden Ring Tarnished Edition are still targeted for 2026.
