Minecraft Is Coming to Switch 2 in October, and Original Switch Players Can Upgrade

Minecraft will officially launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27. In addition to supporting backward compatibility with the original Switch version, developer Mojang will add a visual upgrade called “Vibrant Visuals” to the new console version and provide an upgrade option for players who own the original Switch version.

Although Minecraft can already run on Switch 2 through backward compatibility, the Switch 2 version will be optimized for the new hardware. According to Mojang, “Vibrant Visuals” will improve lighting, shadows, and other visual effects in the game.

However, “Vibrant Visuals” will not support all content. Split-screen play, as well as some worlds and Marketplace content, may not be compatible with these visual upgrades. The Nintendo-exclusive Super Mario Mash-Up Pack for Minecraft will support the new effects, and an update to adapt the content is currently in development.

Mojang has confirmed that players who purchased the original Switch version of Minecraft will be able to upgrade through the digital version. It has not yet provided a final decision on whether the upgrade will be free, stating that more details will be announced at a later date.

Players worried about losing their saves and game progress can also rest assured. Mojang previously confirmed that save data from the original Switch version of Minecraft can be transferred to the Switch 2 version.

In other Minecraft news, Mojang recently added the long-requested ability for players to sit down. A sequel to Minecraft Dungeons is scheduled to launch in September, while a sequel to the Minecraft movie is planned for release in 2027.

As Microsoft recently underwent organizational changes and large-scale layoffs, Minecraft also appears to have become a business receiving greater attention from its parent company. Mojang and Candy Crush developer King will now report directly to newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. The change has raised concerns among some players, who worry that excessive intervention from Microsoft could ultimately affect the development of Minecraft.