Minecraft Switch 2: Closed Beta, Vibrant Visuals, and Everything You Need to Know

Early impressions from beta testers indicate that the Switch 2 build supports Vibrant Visuals with a maximum render distance of 16 chunks, though point lights and volumetric block lights are not currently available in the beta build . The beta runs on actual Switch 2 hardware, giving testers the native build rather than the backward-compatible Switch 1 version.

Official Launch Date: October 27, 2026

Mojang confirmed via Minecraft.net on August 5, 2026 that the dedicated Switch 2 native port will launch globally on October 27, 2026 . This ends over a year of Switch 2 players having to run Minecraft through backward compatibility; the native version is built specifically around Switch 2 hardware .

Vibrant Visuals Graphics Upgrade

The Switch 2 port sets Vibrant Visuals as the default visual experience . This is the same enhanced rendering pipeline Mojang previously shipped on other Bedrock platforms, delivering:

• Enhanced lighting and stronger shadows
• Volumetric fog and richer atmosphere
• A significantly more modern look than the original Switch edition

Important caveats: Vibrant Visuals is disabled in split-screen multiplayer, and some older Marketplace content will continue to render with standard visuals . The feature is also not available in the current beta's full scope, though Mojang has indicated it will be the default at launch .

Digital Upgrade Path for Existing Switch Owners

Existing owners of Minecraft on the original Nintendo Switch will have access to a digital upgrade path to the Switch 2 version . Mojang has not yet confirmed whether the upgrade will be free or paid, stating that pricing and exact redemption details will be announced closer to launch . Importantly, save data and worlds will be transferable from the original Switch edition to the native Switch 2 version .

Bedrock Edition 26.40 (August 4, 2026)

The same week the Switch 2 beta went live, Mojang pushed Bedrock Edition 26.40 to all platforms (appearing as console update 1.055) on August 4, 2026 .

Gameplay Improvements & Bug Fixes

• Boats – Now require fewer hits to break, matching Java Edition behavior, and boats will regenerate damage over time (MCPE-62683) .
• Minecarts – Entity separation now works correctly again, as it did prior to the 1.21.0 update (MCPE-216837) .
• Arrows – A known issue remains where arrows shot downwards get stuck in the player's own hitbox (MCPE-240527); not yet fixed . Arrows of Harming were fixed in a prior beta (26.40.31) to be removed on hit instead of bouncing .
• Jukebox – Background music now stops when a player is near an active Jukebox (MCPE-31166) .
• Accessibility – Fixed text field narration restarting label and description on every keypress .

Experimental Drop 3 Features (Toggle in World Settings)

The update adds the third content drop of 2026 behind an Experimental Gameplay toggle . These features are not yet final and must be enabled per-world:

• Dappled Forest – A new autumn-themed forest biome that generates near cold biomes, with orange/fall-colored leaf canopy and biome-specific ambient sounds .
• Poplar Trees – A new wood type found in the Dappled Forest; comes with matching logs, planks, and a full wood set including doors, trapdoors, and stairs .
• Shelf Mushrooms – A new nature block that can be placed on surfaces, found in the Dappled Forest .
• Red Shrubs – A new small decorative plant block, not biome-tinted .
• Abandoned Camp structures – Generated structures found in 18+ biomes including Meadow, Cherry Grove, Forest, Taiga, Dappled Forest, and others. Contain loot including maps and Cushions .
• Cushions – Placeable blocks players can sit on. Crafted from 3 Wool Slabs of the same color. Available in all 16 dye colors. Found in Abandoned Camps or via creative inventory .
• Wool Stairs and Wool Slabs – New decorative variants for wool blocks, available in all 16 dye colors .
• Straw Beds – A new survival bed variant crafted from straw/hay materials. Single-use and consumed after sleeping; does not reset spawn point .

All Drop 3 content remains experimental in 26.40 and requires enabling the toggle in world settings .

Updated Super Mario Mash-Up Pack for Switch 2

Mojang confirmed that the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will receive an upgrade for the Switch 2 version. The updated pack adds new locations including Peach's Castle and Delfino Plaza as playable maps, alongside the existing Mario-themed skins, texture sets, and music . The pack is being optimized to take full advantage of Vibrant Visuals and will arrive alongside the October 27 launch .