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[Cerium]

Official Thread

Current Metacritic: 90

Time: 5/5

I can say it's arguably the finest iteration of Swedish studio Mojang's magnum opus yet.

With the Switch, the tradeoffs vanish. Screen real estate aside, you're having the same experience on an airplane, subway, or in a remote wilderness tent as when docked to your TV. Minecraft is already the finest thing I've experienced in this medium, the answer I'd probably give to the one-thing-you'd-want-on-a-deserted-island question. And thanks to Switch, it just got an order of magnitude better.

Nintendo World Report: 9/10

For fans of Minecraft, this absolutely seems like the version you've been waiting for if you wanted to get as close to a full-fledged experience as you could realistically want on a handheld device. For people who aren't among the already-converted, it is still the same game it has always been, and it has its merits, but aside from portability there's nothing more compelling about this version than there has ever been. It's been well-established there's a ton of game to be had here if you enjoy it, the Switch is just making it more easily accessible than it has ever been.

Nintendo Life: 9/10

All told, this is yet another excellent port of Minecraft, nothing more and nothing less. With that being said, we would strongly recommend that you pick up this version, as the versatile setup of the Switch allows this to be the most easily accessible and playable Minecraft to date. That convenience factor is the only real notable difference, however, so it's up to you whether that justifies paying for another version of Minecraft. If you want to play the best portable version of the game, however, look no further.

USGamer: 4.5/5

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition is a win for Minecraft and Nintendo Switch.

Minecraft Switch Edition isn't quite the best at any one thing, but it fills its niche with style. It stands below its PS4 and Xbox One counterparts in the size of the world it can build, but makes up for that by being a pitch-perfect portable experience. The physical controls and four-player splitscreen put it ahead of the full-featured Pocket Edition. It's everything the Vita version wanted to be, becoming the best portable version of Minecraft yet.

Attack of the Fanboy: 4/5

The big thing that separates Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition from its predecessors is that we now, finally have a true mobile version of the game. Sure, there is the official Mobile Edition that exists on phones and tablets, but it is missing some key features found in the PC and console versions. The PS Vita got the full edition, but that system struggles to keep up, and has always felt like a bit of a wasted opportunity. Now the Switch is capitalizing on that opportunity, offering the true Minecraft experience in an easy to transport package.

 

[Aostia]

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

 

[momshotdad]

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

I haven't.

 

[Falchion]

Great to hear the positive reviews about this. It's certainly the most compelling console version of the game given the portability of the Switch.

 

[DecoReturns]

Reads like a good port.

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

I've never played it either.

 

[Crimsonclaw111]

My little brother wants me to get this but I only have two controllers... I don't want to buy a million just for Minecraft. That's almost $200 (controllers plus game) just to play with my siblings when they visit.

Decisions I guess.

 

[Oregano]

Good to hear it's a good port. This is literally the biggest third party game that Switch will get.

 

[darkazcura]

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

I haven't, and I'm still not sure if the game would really be for me yet. I'm not the most creative person in the world.

 

[marmoka]

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

I haven't either. And I don't think I will ever play it.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Looks like Microsofts got a hit on their hands. Hehe

 

[CharminUltra]

Just release it. I'm ready.

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

I see $29.99 on the eShop, but don't see physical offered anywhere? Is there no physical version?

Also FYI, it's currently on sale on the Windows 10 Store for $10 if you have a PC.

 

[samred]

Ars' impressions: Minecraft on Nintendo Switch does the trick, hides most of its compromises

 

[DecoReturns]

I see $29.99 on the eShop, but don't see physical offered anywhere? Is there no physical version?

Also FYI, it's currently on sale on the Windows 10 Store for $10 if you have a PC.

Physical will come later.

They mentioned that in the April Direct

 

[Fliesen]

I see $29.99 on the eShop, but don't see physical offered anywhere? Is there no physical version?

Also FYI, it's currently on sale on the Windows 10 Store for $10 if you have a PC.

no release date for the physical yet.

Nintendo announced today that Minecraft will come to Nintendo Switch on May 11 digitally, with a physical version to hit stores at a later date.

 

[ShadowElliot]

I see $29.99 on the eShop, but don't see physical offered anywhere? Is there no physical version?

Also FYI, it's currently on sale on the Windows 10 Store for $10 if you have a PC.

It's digital now, physical at a later date.

no release date for the physical yet.

Physical will come later.

They mentioned that in the April Direct

.

 

[samred]

I see $29.99 on the eShop, but don't see physical offered anywhere? Is there no physical version?

Also FYI, it's currently on sale on the Windows 10 Store for $10 if you have a PC.

Boxed version is TBA, no announced date. (Wii U version was launched same way, disc version took a few months.) No word on when to expect other consoles' April patch, either.

 

[mlclmtckr]

Man you guys should check Minecraft out. It's pretty cool.

 

[NOLA_Gaffer]

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

I haven't played Minecraft either. I'm unwrapping my Wii U copy tonight so I can join in on some first-timers.

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Wow such great scores
And I still have to play Minecraft for the first time (probably the last person in the world)

I haven't. I still don't ''get'' it.

 

[The Technomancer]

How big are the worlds?

 

[Wamb0wneD]

i havent played it for longer either, but thats because i want to play other stuff as well. No time to dive in this endless pit.

 

[Crimsonclaw111]

I see $29.99 on the eShop, but don't see physical offered anywhere? Is there no physical version?

Also FYI, it's currently on sale on the Windows 10 Store for $10 if you have a PC.

Oh, it is coming physically? Might use GCU to get it as close to $20 as possible.

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

Physical will come later.

They mentioned that in the April Direct

no release date for the physical yet.

It's digital now, physical at a later date.

Boxed version is TBA, no announced date. (Wii U version was launched same way, disc version took a few months.) No word on when to expect other consoles' April patch, either.

Hmmm, no pricing yet on the physical either, then? I wonder if it'll get hit with the Switch tax and be $40.

 

[Sylverstone14]

How big are the worlds?

3072 x 3072 blocks, about 13x bigger than the Wii U version.

 

[samred]

How big are the worlds?

From Ars' article, linked above:

You're getting a lot more Minecraft to play than on the Wii U version. Each generated Switch world can be as big as 3072 x 3072 blocks, which is roughly 13 times larger than the Wii U's pokey 864 x 864 world limit. That's a bit more than a third the size of the PS4 and Xbox One versions' 5120 x 5120 limits—which, honestly, seems about right when comparing those systems' specs.

 

[Fliesen]

Hmmm, no pricing yet on the physical either, then? I wonder if it'll get hit with the Switch tax and be $40.

i see no reason not to go Digital with Minecraft. It's a sandbox game, so you'll unlikely ever be "done" with it, and its install size is laughably small (500something megabytes)

 

[Kill3r7]

My little brother wants me to get this but I only have two controllers... I don't want to buy a million just for Minecraft. That's almost $200 (controllers plus game) just to play with my siblings when they visit.

Decisions I guess.

Make them pay for the controllers or take turns.

 

[Aostia]

God how mani GAFfers haven't played it yet as me ?! XD

 

[nubbe]

how does it compare to the other Microsoft hit Minesweeper?

 

[Spukc]

What about HD RUMBLE BABY?

 

[TangoAlphaLima]

i see no reason not to go Digital with Minecraft. It's a sandbox game, so you'll unlikely ever be "done" with it, and its install size is laughably small (500something megabytes)

Yeah, I definitely get the benefits, but I also like owning physical. I'd bet I'll be buying a Switch for my 7 y/o at some point in its lifetime, maybe for my 4 y/o as well, and the ability to share games between systems is a plus for me. I also have Best Buy GCU, so it could be a bit cheaper than digital.

 

[sinonobu]

Hmmm, no pricing yet on the physical either, then? I wonder if it'll get hit with the Switch tax and be $40.

Minecraft Storymode's price just got adjusted to match other platforms'.

It will probably be $30 like digital.

 

[Kouriozan]

And the Switch gets another 90+ Mc games :lol
I only own the PC and Windows 10 version so I lack a portable one, maybe I'll pick it up but not sure.

 

[Fliesen]

My little brother wants me to get this but I only have two controllers... I don't want to buy a million just for Minecraft. That's almost $200 (controllers plus game) just to play with my siblings when they visit.

Decisions I guess.

i mean, a second set of Joycons is definitely a wise investment for any switch user. That means you'd either have a second "full sized" controller or 4 super light controllers for 'party' games.

Might as well make that investment now.
Playing Minecraft with a second person is so much more enjoyable.
"You'll mine for stuff, i'll build a farm in the meantime"

Yeah, I definitely get the benefits, but I also like owning physical. I'd bet I'll be buying a Switch for my 7 y/o at some point in its lifetime, maybe for my 4 y/o as well, and the ability to share games between systems is a plus for me. I also have Best Buy GCU, so it could be a bit cheaper than digital.

oh yeah, i always forget about the aspect of sharing games between multiple switches. You're right. :/

 

[The Main Event]

God how mani GAFfers haven't played it yet as me ?! XD

*Raises hand*

 

[molnizzle]

Minecraft is gonna be big on the Switch. Finally the full experience available on the go without any compromises.

Shit is gonna sell Switches.

 

[Speely]

God how mani GAFfers haven't played it yet as me ?! XD

I've never played it.

 

[sinonobu]

God how mani GAFfers haven't played it yet as me ?! XD

I have only played the clone versions...

 

[SinCityAssassin]

Wonder if they'll even attempt vetting mods into this.

 

[capylikesgames]

I don't know if I could give up Pocket/PC's infinite worlds, but its good to have another great way to play this game. The Nintendo-exclusive content is great, too.

I haven't, and I'm still not sure if the game would really be for me yet. I'm not the most creative person in the world.

Kind of sad that Creative mode overshadows Survival to the point that some people don't know it exists. I've spent so many hours on Minecraft through survival alone. No creativity required.

 

[Spukc]

*Raises hand*

Never ? Not even a demo?
The world most populair video game ?

 

[Savitar]

Do you still need sites to look up stuff on how to build items for an easier time of it?

One of the reasons never got into the PC version.

 

[nubbe]

Minecraft is gonna be big on the Switch. Finally the full experience available on the go without any compromises.

Shit is gonna sell Switches.

now is the time to get a Switch
BotW: game if all time
MK8D: racer of all time
Minecraft: Sandbox of all time
soon, Splatoon 2: splatter of all time

 

[molnizzle]

Kind of sad that Creative mode overshadows Survival to the point that some people knows it exists. I've spent so many hours on Minecraft through survival alone. No creativity required.

To me, the entire appeal of Minecraft is striving to make the coolest shit in the actual Survival mode. Creative feels like cheating. I never use it.

Do you still need sites to look up stuff on how to build items for an easier time of it?

One of the reasons never got into the PC version.

All of the console versions have streamlined crafting. No need to look up recipes, just select what you want to make and press a button (provided you have the materials, of course).

 

[15strong]

Minecraft is gonna be big on the Switch. Finally the full experience available on the go without any compromises.

Shit is gonna sell Switches.

I don't think it will sell a ton of systems because millions already have a portable version on their phone.

 

[Spukc]

Do you still need sites to look up stuff on how to build items for an easier time of it?

One of the reasons never got into the PC version.

No its click and build

 

[Scrawnton]

To me, the entire appeal of Minecraft is striving to make the coolest shit in the actual Survival mode. Creative feels like cheating. I never use it.

Some people like to play minecraft for the gameplay and some people like to play minecraft because its virtual legos. No matter what, there is something for everyone. That is the best thing about the game.

I personally like the struggle of surviving as well but sometimes I like to jump in and mess around and build anything.

 

[Crimsonclaw111]

Make them pay for the controllers or take turns.

They're 9 and 16 though, tough to make them earn those controllers

i mean, a second set of Joycons is definitely a wise investment for any switch user. That means you'd either have a second "full sized" controller or 4 super light controllers for 'party' games.

Might as well make that investment now.
Playing Minecraft with a second person is so much more enjoyable.
"You'll mine for stuff, i'll build a farm in the meantime"



oh yeah, i always forget about the aspect of sharing games between multiple switches. You're right. :/

I have a pro controller and a the joycon already but I'm not really feeling the little controllers and I'm scared to invest in a ton of Pro controllers right now.

I bought a lot of controllers for Wii U and only ended up playing Mario Kart and Smash

 

[Cerium]

I don't think it will sell a ton of systems because millions already have a portable version on their phone.

You must be unfamiliar with what the Vita version did in Japan.