The prospect of playing Elden Ring on Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 feels like a match made in gamer heaven – FromSoftware's masterpiece meets ultimate portability. Yet for many seasoned Tarnished, the dream hits a frustrating roadblock before it even begins. The developer's stubborn refusal to implement cross-save functionality means players can't continue their existing adventures when switching platforms, forcing them to choose between portability and hundreds of hours of progress.

The Cross-Save Conundrum Explained

Here's the rub: Elden Ring's save files remain locked within console families. You can transfer progress from PS4 to PS5 or Xbox One to Series X, but that's where the music stops. Switch 2 owners hoping to bring their existing characters face a brick wall:

Platform Transition	Cross-Save Support
PS4 → PS5	✅ Allowed
Xbox One → Series X	✅ Allowed
PC → Switch 2	❌ Not supported
PS5 → Switch 2	❌ Not supported
Xbox → Switch 2	❌ Not supported

This limitation feels especially jarring in 2025 when cross-progression has become industry standard. The upcoming Switch 2 port (recently ESRB-rated and including the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion) appears to be a technically competent package, but FromSoftware seems content to leave this fundamental quality-of-life feature on the cutting room floor.

Why Gamers Are Up in Arms

For players with existing 100+ hour saves, restarting feels like a bridge too far. As one veteran put it: "I'm not about to replay the first third of the game just to enjoy it portably – that ship has sailed." This sentiment resonates powerfully:

• 🎮 70% of surveyed players would rebuy Elden Ring for Switch 2 with cross-save

• 🎮 Under 15% would restart from scratch

• 🎮 Time investment averages 87 hours per completed playthrough

People Also Ask:

• "Will Elden Ring on Switch 2 include crossplay?"

Sadly no – FromSoftware's multiplayer remains siloed within platform families, meaning Switch 2 players can only connect with other Switch 2 users.

The Bigger Picture: FromSoftware's Online Achilles' Heel

This cross-save headache is merely the tip of the iceberg. FromSoftware's online infrastructure remains stuck in 2009 when Demon's Souls first introduced its quirky invasion system. The multiplayer-focused Elden Ring Nightreign should've been a watershed moment for modernization, but instead doubled down on archaic limitations:

• ❌ No cross-platform play between ecosystems

• ❌ Cumbersome summoning mechanics

• ❌ Region-locked matchmaking

Wrestling with these systems grows more tiresome each year, especially when Nintendo's own online services aren't exactly winning awards for reliability. The upcoming Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods risks becoming collateral damage in this ongoing tech struggle.

People Also Ask:

• "Does Elden Ring support cloud saves?"

Only within platform ecosystems – PlayStation Plus, Xbox Cloud, and Steam Cloud work independently but don't talk to each other.

The Business Cost of Outdated Tech

FromSoftware might argue their approach maintains game balance, but many see it as leaving money on the table. The Switch 2 version represents a golden opportunity to tap into:

1. The portable gaming market (projected to hit $30B by 2026)

2. Double-dipping enthusiasts willing to repurchase for convenience

3. Nintendo loyalists experiencing Elden Ring for the first time

Yet without cross-save, the most dedicated existing fans – those most likely to rebuy – get left out in the cold. It's a classic case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

People Also Ask:

• "Can I transfer my Elden Ring save using USB or external storage?"

No – the encryption and platform-specific formatting make this impossible between different manufacturers' systems.

The Verdict

At the end of the day, Elden Ring on Switch 2 presents gamers with an agonizing Sophie's choice: sacrifice your hard-earned progress for portability, or keep your beloved characters landlocked on their original platforms. While the port will undoubtedly delight newcomers, the lack of cross-save feels like a missed opportunity that continues FromSoftware's baffling resistance to modern online conventions.

What fundamental quality-of-life feature would make YOU repurchase your favorite game on a new platform?