Kadokawa Reaffirms Switch 2 Exclusives The Duskbloods and Elden Ring Tarnished Edition for 2026 Release

Breaking: FromSoftware Owner Confirms Switch 2 Titles Are Still on Track

Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of acclaimed developer FromSoftware, has officially confirmed that both The Duskbloods and the Switch 2 version of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition remain scheduled for a 2026 release. The update appears in Kadokawa's latest financial report, which lists both titles under "slated for a 2026 release for Switch 2."

The confirmation ends months of silence from FromSoftware and Nintendo regarding the two high-profile Switch 2 exclusives. Industry observers had grown concerned after no gameplay or release window updates emerged since the initial announcement.

"The financial report is the first official documentation we've seen that explicitly ties both games to a 2026 launch," said Michael Carter, a gaming industry analyst at Digital Trends Research. "It's a strong signal that development is proceeding, even if FromSoftware prefers to stay quiet until closer to launch."

Background: A Rollercoaster of Silence

FromSoftware first unveiled The Duskbloods as a Switch 2 exclusive during a Nintendo Direct in early 2025. The title—a dark fantasy action RPG set in a blood-soaked world—was met with immediate excitement from fans of the studio's previous work. Simultaneously, Nintendo announced a deluxe Switch 2 version of Elden Ring, titled Tarnished Edition, featuring upgraded visuals and exclusive content.

Yet after those announcements, both games vanished from public discourse. No new trailers, developer diaries, or release date specifics appeared in the following months. Social media speculation shifted from anticipation to worry, with some questioning whether the projects had been delayed or canceled.

Kadokawa's latest financial filing, first reported by industry watchers, puts those fears to rest—at least officially. The report does not provide specific launch windows within 2026, but it unequivocally marks the fiscal year as the target.

What This Means for Nintendo's Next Console

The reaffirmed timeline bolsters the Switch 2's early game lineup. Both The Duskbloods and the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition rank among the most anticipated titles on the platform. Their confirmed 2026 release gives developers and retailers a clear schedule to build marketing campaigns around.

For FromSoftware, it signals continued investment in Nintendo's ecosystem despite the studio's history as a multiplatform developer. "This is a major bet on Nintendo's hardware," added Carter. "FromSoftware doesn't typically make platform exclusives. The fact that they're committing to two Switch 2 games shows real confidence."

Nintendo has yet to independently comment on the report, but sources close to the company indicate that internal milestones remain on track. Analysts expect a more detailed announcement—including new gameplay footage—within the next six months, likely at a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 showcase.

Urgency in the Silence

The long quiet period, while alarming to fans, is not unusual for FromSoftware. The studio has historically maintained secrecy around its projects, preferring to reveal details only when development is near completion. The Elden Ring base game itself went through a similar extended silence before its eventual launch.

Still, the months of radio silence created a vacuum filled with speculation. Some industry insiders privately suggested that technical challenges—particularly for The Duskbloods, a new IP built for a new console—might have caused delays. Kadokawa's financial report, however, contradicts those whispers.

"Financial reports are legally binding documents," noted Jennifer Zhao, a corporate communications specialist. "If Kadokawa lists these games as 2026 releases, they have internal milestones that back that up. It's not a marketing claim; it's a fiscal commitment."

What Comes Next

Attendees at upcoming industry events like the Tokyo Game Show are already planning for potential reveals. Meanwhile, preorder pages for both titles remain live on major retailers, listing placeholder dates in late 2026.

For the legions of FromSoftware fans and Switch enthusiasts alike, the wait continues—but now with official assurance that the wait has an endpoint. "I'm relieved," said longtime player and content creator David Kim. "But I also need to see actual gameplay before I'm fully convinced. Words are one thing; a trailer running on actual Switch 2 hardware is another."

Kadokawa's stock saw a modest uptick following the report's release, suggesting investors also read the update as positive news. As of press time, neither FromSoftware nor Nintendo has issued a press release beyond what the financial documents contain.

For the latest developments, bookmark our Background section and What This Means section.