Minecraft's free Switch 2 upgrade is for digital owners only
Owners of the digital Switch version of Minecraft get a free upgrade to the Switch 2 edition, but physical owners are reportedly left out, according to Polygon. The Switch 2 version launches on October 27.
Minecraft's Switch 2 edition is free to upgrade to for some existing owners, but not all. Polygon reports that digital owners of the Switch version get the free upgrade while others are left behind, which matches earlier reporting that Mojang had only confirmed a digital upgrade path.
What we know
The Switch 2 edition was announced for October 27, 2026, with upgraded visuals as the default setting, save transfer from the existing version and a revamped Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. Earlier coverage noted Mojang had not explained how physical cartridge owners would upgrade.
Why it matters
Plenty of Switch owners bought Minecraft on a cartridge, so who gets the upgrade for free decides whether this reads as a gift or as a paywall.