Minecraft for Nintendo Switch 2 Is Out 27 October: Free Upgrade, Price and Vibrant Visuals

Minecraft Switch 2 arrives on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The native Nintendo Switch 2 version adds Vibrant Visuals, Minecraft's biggest graphics upgrade, as the default look, and if you own Minecraft digitally on the original Switch, you can get the Standard Edition free until the end of January 2027 in most countries.

Minecraft for Nintendo Switch 2 at a glance

When does Minecraft come out on Switch 2?

Mojang and Nintendo both give 27 October 2026. Nintendo's Australian store lists the digital version a day later, on 28 October, because of the time difference, so in the UK and US expect it on the 27th. Pre-orders opened on 7 October.

Is the Minecraft Switch 2 upgrade free?

Yes, for digital owners. If you bought Minecraft digitally on the original Nintendo Switch, you can claim the digital Standard Edition for Switch 2 free in most territories until the end of January 2027. The only exceptions are Japan (100 JPY) and Taiwan (30 NTD). You can also upgrade to the Deluxe or Ultimate Collection for a discounted price.

Nintendo and Mojang haven't announced a free upgrade for physical Switch cartridge owners.

How much is Minecraft on Switch 2?

• Standard Edition: $29.99 (£29.99 on the Nintendo UK store).
• Deluxe Collection: $39.99. Adds the Celebration Food, Rescue Dogs and Plenty O'Blocks add-ons, 3 exclusive Character Creator items and 700 Minecoins.
• Ultimate Collection: $49.99. Adds those three plus Decocraft and Weapons + Tools, 5 Character Creator items and 1,000 Minecoins.

Every edition includes the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, updated for Vibrant Visuals. A physical version is also sold at retail. Minecoins bought or included on Nintendo consoles can only be used on Nintendo platforms.

What's new in Minecraft on Switch 2?

• Vibrant Visuals by default: better lighting, shadows and effects, also across supported Marketplace content. It isn't available in split-screen or with some Marketplace worlds.
• Super Mario Mash-Up Pack: exclusive to Nintendo versions, with a Mario world including Peach's Castle and Delfino Plaza, plus music and skins.
• Your worlds carry over: Nintendo says Switch worlds can be carried over, so you can pick up where you left off.
• Handheld, tabletop and TV modes, plus touch screen support.

Can you play Minecraft Switch 2 with friends on other consoles?

It's the Bedrock version of Minecraft, the same one on Xbox, PlayStation, PC and mobile, so crossplay works with a Microsoft account. Online play on Switch 2 needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and you can play split-screen with up to four people on one console.

Will Minecraft Switch 2 get the new ice caves drop?

Yes. The Switch 2 version is Bedrock Edition, so it gets the same free game drops as other consoles, including the upcoming ice caves drop being tested in snapshots now.

More Minecraft on iGame Magazine

• Minecraft’s Ice Caves Game Drop: The Frostbite, Freezing Potions and Everything Coming in the Final Update of 2026: the upcoming ice caves game drop
• How to Breed Axolotls in Minecraft: Blue Axolotl Odds, Cooldowns and Tips: how to get a blue axolotl
• Minecraft: News, Guides and Updates: our Minecraft hub

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