The Minecraft Switch 2 free upgrade is real, and it starts today. If you already own Minecraft digitally on the original Nintendo Switch, you can pre-order the digital Standard Edition for Switch 2 at no cost until the end of January 2027. Pre-orders opened October 7, and the native Switch 2 version launches Tuesday, October 27.

How the upgrade works

The offer runs through the Nintendo eShop only, and it covers digital owners of the Switch version. It’s free in every region except Japan, where it costs 100 yen, and Taiwan, where it’s 30 New Taiwan dollars. Mojang calls it a limited-time offer, so there’s no reason to wait until late January to claim it.

If you want more than the base game, you can upgrade straight to the Deluxe Collection or Ultimate Collection at a discounted price instead. Neither Nintendo’s announcement nor Mojang’s lists the exact upgrade fees, so check the eShop before you buy.

For new players, the US Nintendo.com listing has the Standard Edition at $29.99, the Deluxe Collection at $39.99, and the Ultimate Collection at $49.99. A physical Switch 2 version is also up for pre-order at retail. Nintendo hasn’t posted a price for the boxed copy.

What each edition includes

Every version comes with the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, updated for Vibrant Visuals. That pack is exclusive to Nintendo versions of Minecraft and adds a Mario-themed world, music, and skins, with spots like Peach’s Castle and Delfino Plaza.

The Deluxe Collection adds three add-ons (Celebration Food, Rescue Dogs, and Plenty O’Blocks), three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins. The Ultimate Collection has those same three add-ons plus Decocraft and Weapons + Tools, five Character Creator items, and 1,000 Minecoins. Minecoins included with an edition or bought on a Nintendo system can only be spent within Nintendo’s ecosystem, so they won’t follow you to another platform.

Vibrant Visuals by default, with limits

The main reason to move up is Vibrant Visuals, Minecraft’s lighting overhaul, which is the default graphics mode on Switch 2. You get directional lighting, volumetric fog, reflections in water, and shadows that move with the sun. Nintendo’s trailer also confirms that your Switch worlds carry over, so you can pick up where you left off.

There are a couple of catches. Vibrant Visuals doesn’t work in split-screen, so couch co-op falls back to the standard look. It’s also off for some Marketplace worlds and content. Online multiplayer still needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership, same as before.

If you already bought Minecraft digitally on Switch, this one’s easy. Claim the free Standard Edition before January runs out, and you’ll have the better-looking version ready on day one.