THE SHORT ANSWER
Minecraft (Bedrock) is now playable on Nintendo Switch 2. It includes a new Vibrant Visuals mode with enhanced lighting, volumetric fog, and dynamic shadows. The Super Mario Mash-up Pack has been updated for the release. Current Minecraft owners on Switch can upgrade at no cost.
- Minecraft Bedrock releases on Nintendo Switch 2 as of October 27, 2026
- Vibrant Visuals mode adds volumetric fog, dynamic shadows, and improved lighting
- Super Mario Mash-up Pack receives an update for the new hardware
- Existing Switch owners (digital or physical) can upgrade to the Switch 2 version free
- Game is available for purchase on the Nintendo eShop and at retail
Minecraft is now playable on Nintendo Switch 2. Mojang and Nintendo confirmed the release today, bringing the Bedrock edition to the new hardware with a dedicated graphics mode called Vibrant Visuals and an updated Super Mario Mash-up Pack.
Vibrant Visuals mode
The headline feature is Vibrant Visuals, a Switch 2–exclusive rendering path. It adds volumetric fog, dynamic shadows, and enhanced lighting across the Overworld, Nether, and End. The mode runs on top of the standard Bedrock engine and can be toggled in the video settings. Mojang has not published frame-rate or resolution targets for docked versus handheld play, but the feature is designed to scale across both configurations.
Super Mario Mash-up Pack refresh
The long-standing Super Mario Mash-up Pack — originally released on Wii U and carried forward to Switch — has been updated for the Switch 2 launch. The pack includes Mario-series skins, a themed texture set, UI replacements, and a custom world. The refresh adds support for Vibrant Visuals and adjusts several textures to match the new lighting pipeline. Owners of the original pack on Switch receive the update automatically.
Upgrade path for current owners
Players who own Minecraft on the original Nintendo Switch — whether purchased digitally or as a physical cartridge — can download the Switch 2 version at no additional cost. The entitlement is tied to the Nintendo Account that made the original purchase. Physical owners need to insert the cartridge once on Switch 2 to register the license, after which the digital version becomes available for download.
Availability and pricing
Minecraft for Switch 2 is live on the Nintendo eShop priced at $29.99 / €29.99 / £24.99, matching the current Switch SKU. A physical edition is also shipping to retailers. The game requires a Nintendo Switch 2 system; it will not run on the original Switch hardware.
What remains unclear
Mojang has not detailed whether Vibrant Visuals will arrive on other Bedrock platforms such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or mobile. The studio also hasn't confirmed if the Switch 2 version supports cross-play feature parity with the current cross-platform Bedrock pool, though previous Switch releases have maintained full compatibility. Load-time improvements and any use of the Switch 2's additional memory bandwidth have not been quantified.