Today, Nintendo announced that Minecraft will be coming to Switch 2 in 2026, with improvements over its Switch 1 counterpart.
The Switch 2 supports backwards compatibility, so Minecraft has been playable on the console since launch. However, the Switch 2 version brings enhanced lighting and shadow effects, meaning owners of the newest console will have an improved experience.
The game was rated for Switch 2 on the ESRB classification database in recent weeks, leading many to believe a Switch 2 version was on its way. The motto is: Always trust the ESRB ratings.
There’s good news for Switch 1 owners wanting to play on the Switch 2 too, as the Nintendo Direct announcement confirmed that your progression can be transferred across consoles and versions.
There’s no firm release date for the Switch 2 version of Minecraft, although it is confirmed to be available before the end of 2026.