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Minecraft launched for Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, 2026, with a free Standard Edition upgrade for eligible digital Switch owners in most regions. The upgrade offer runs until January 31, 2027, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Physical owners have a different discount route, so check which copy you own before buying again.
Who can get the free upgrade?
In its launch announcement, Mojang says digital Minecraft for Switch owners can claim the digital Switch 2 Standard Edition through Nintendo eShop during the offer period. The free offer excludes Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, where small upgrade charges apply.
Owners of physical copies are not included in that stated free digital upgrade. Instead, launching the Switch version on Switch 2 during the offer period produces an in-game invitation to buy the digital Ultimate Collection at a discount. Digital owners can also access discounted collection upgrades. Check the price attached to your account rather than assuming every upgrade route costs the same.
What do the editions cost in the US?
Nintendo’s US launch page lists Standard at $29.99, Deluxe Collection at $39.99 and Ultimate Collection at $49.99. Those are regular prices, not the personalized upgrade discount.
Deluxe includes 700 Minecoins and additional content; Ultimate includes 1,000 Minecoins in total and further add-ons. Minecoins supplied or purchased on Nintendo devices stay within Nintendo’s ecosystem. Our suggestion is to compare the included content with what you actually want, rather than treating the highest edition as necessary for the visual upgrade.
Where Vibrant Visuals works—and where it does not
The Switch 2 release adds enhanced lighting, fog and shadows, with an updated Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. However, Vibrant Visuals is unavailable in split-screen and in some Marketplace worlds and content. That limitation matters for households buying mainly for shared-screen play.
The official product listing also states that cross-platform play requires a Microsoft account, while online multiplayer requires Nintendo Switch Online. Do not confuse a graphics feature with an online-access entitlement.
Can existing worlds move over?
Nintendo confirms that Switch worlds can be carried over. Follow Mojang’s linked world-migration support page for the current process before deleting an old copy or save. This article does not assume that claiming the upgrade completes migration automatically.
For broader console setup, see our Switch-to-Switch-2 transfer guide.
Checked October 28, 2026 against Mojang and Nintendo. Prices above are US regular prices; regional eligibility and account offers differ. This is launch information, not hands-on testing.
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