Minecraft on Switch 2 is a port that just makes sense. Everyone, including developer Mojang, agrees. On Wednesday, the developer officially confirmed a 27th October release date for the Switch 2 version.
Minecraft’s Switch 2 port initially leaked through an ESRB rating back in June, before Nintendo confirmed it days later in a Direct showcase – though without offering a release date.
As part of this new announcement, Mojang mentioned a detail that may sour some on the news. While existing owners of the game on Switch 1 will be able to upgrade to the Switch 2 version, the upgrade does not appear to be free. The developer didn’t reveal more besides, saying to expect more details to follow. This is becoming a trend for Switch 2 games; Nintendo itself expects paid upgrades for the likes of Zelda, Kirby, and Metroid Prime 4, whilst Square Enix sometimes skips the option of an upgrade path altogether.
The Switch 2 version of Minecraft includes a few visual enhancements. Mojang is calling it Vibrant Visuals, and it’s essentially a bundle of visual upgrades like enhanced lighting and shadow effects.
Marketplace content does, for the most part, support Vibrant Visuals, which is great news if you have a library of mods. However, it won’t be available with certain gameplay features, including when playing in split-screen and when using certain Marketplace Worlds and content. The Nintendo-exclusive Super Mario Mash-Up pack will benefit from the Vibrant Visuals upgrade, at least.
Minecraft’s July preview build added craftable cushions for players to sit on, some 17 years after the game’s initial release.
