Minecraft's native version for Nintendo Switch 2, with the Vibrant Visuals graphics pack enabled by default, has received a score of 80 out of 100 points from the Interia Gry editorial team. Reviewer Łukasz Lasak praises the smooth 60 frames per second in the standard graphics mode and noticeably shorter world loading times compared to the previous Switch version, but he criticizes the developers for not supporting mouse mode in the new Nintendo console's controllers and for leaving their extra features underused.

60 frames per second and faster world loading

The most noticeable change compared to the original Switch is performance. According to the review, the difference is "noticeable from the first few minutes" thanks to faster loading and smoother world generation, and the standard graphics mode holds a steady 60 FPS. The previous version of the game on Switch struggled with clear performance limitations, which the new generation of Nintendo's console largely eliminates, something particularly important for survival mode and large, elaborate builds.

Minecraft arrived natively on Nintendo Switch 2 as a free upgrade for owners of the version for the base Switch, with the launch of the new edition taking place on October 27, 2026. The game is based on Bedrock Edition, also available for download on other platforms via Bedrock Edition, meaning full multiplayer compatibility with players on other devices from that family of editions.

Vibrant Visuals: lighting, shadows and volumetric fog

At the heart of the technical refresh is the Vibrant Visuals pack, which introduces advanced lighting, dynamic shadows, and volumetric fog, and on Switch 2 it's enabled as the default graphics setting. The Interia Gry review emphasizes that the pack genuinely changes how you perceive the game world, adding depth to scenes that looked flat on older hardware. An additional launch feature is the exclusive Super Mario Mash-Up pack with 40 player skins, updated for the new graphics.

Not everything works without compromises, though. The game automatically disables extended lighting and shadows in split-screen mode to keep performance stable, and at maximum graphics settings there are occasional frame drops. That's a typical trade-off for handheld consoles, which have to balance image quality against battery and cooling constraints.

Multiplayer and add-on memory limits

The extensive multiplayer mode allows up to four players locally and up to eight players online, making Switch 2 a solid platform for building together with friends. The review does point out a practical limitation, though: the Switch 2 version only supports about 1.7 GB of additional storage for Marketplace add-ons and saved worlds, which may prove too limited for more advanced players working with elaborate maps and marketplace modpacks.

The Switch 2 controllers' untapped potential

The reviewer's biggest complaint is that Mojang "didn't take greater advantage of the capabilities" of the Switch 2's new controllers. The console introduced a mouse-like control mode that activates when you lay the controller on its side on a flat surface, but Minecraft doesn't offer that control option, even though it could make precise building or combat easier. Similarly, the motion sensors and extra features of the Joy-Con 2 controllers remain practically unused, which the review considers a wasted opportunity for such an important native launch.

What's next for the Switch 2 version

The final score of 80 out of 100 describes the release as a "successful update" that fixes most of the technical issues from the previous version, while still leaving room for further optimization, especially around controller support. For Polish players planning to move to the new Nintendo console, this means genuinely better building and exploration experiences compared to the first-generation Switch, while keeping full compatibility with the rest of the Bedrock Edition ecosystem covered in the site's overview of editions. It's worth keeping an eye on future updates to the game on this platform in the site's news section.

Sources