I imagine there’s pretty much no video game enthusiast left on the planet who hasn’t, by now, played Minecraft in some shape or form. It’s been one of the most popular games ever for well over a decade running, and it’s been on essentially every platform that has ever existed in that time. At long last, it’s arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s in fine form. Being able to play it on the couch without docking your console is wonderful, but it’s just as much of a blast in Docked mode.
The thing you’re likely most curious about is Minecraft’s performance on the Switch 2. Thankfully, it’s largely consistent and smooth, with plenty of graphics options (which is still bizarre for me to see on a Nintendo console). I did notice occasional weird drops when using the inventory, but otherwise performance stayed consistent, with frame rates matching the Visuals and Performance modes, and even an uncapped frame rate option available. Given how ridiculously vast and colorful the game can be, consistent performance is incredibly important to the flow of Survival mode, so I’m glad there are no glaring issues.
Minecraft does, unfortunately, lack Mouse Mode support.
The controls are a bit difficult to get accustomed to, as Minecraft is the sort of game that works best with a mouse and keyboard. I wish Mouse Mode were supported on this Switch 2 version, since that’s one of the defining new features of Nintendo’s latest console, but you do eventually get used to the gamepad control scheme regardless. Once you’re accustomed to it, the game is as fun as it is on any other console, whether you’re in Survival or Creative mode. Both still absolutely nail the more tense and creative experiences, respectively, and it’s as clear as ever as to why Minecraft has had such wild longevity.
Nintendo provided MonsterVine with the Ultimate Edition of the game, which also included 1000 Minecoins for the Marketplace, puppy companions, new blocks, and extra types of food. It’s pretty unnecessary for those just looking to experience the game itself, but the content adds variety to an already massive game and lets you buy cheap skins or adventure worlds right off the bat. You can also connect your Microsoft account to the game, which feels extremely bizarre on a Nintendo console, but it allows cross-platform play and access to the marketplace, which is handy for those who want to play with friends on other platforms.
Whether you’ve put hundreds of hours into Minecraft or (somehow) never touched the game, the Nintendo Switch 2 version is a worthy way of playing Mojang’s most titanic title. Portable mode is super convenient, and it looks and runs great docked, too. The Switch 2 is steadily wiping away the original Switch’s reputation for being weaker on the third-party performance side, with Minecraft serving as yet another example of this encouraging trend.
