Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition Now Available

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition is finally out today, and now you can officially play Minecraft on everything. This is a peculiar release since, as many of you know, Mojang and Minecraft were purchased by Microsoft, and Minecraft is officially now a Microsoft IP. On one hand it sounds strange that a game so popular, belonging to Microsoft, would be allowed on Sony and Nintendo platforms, but it makes perfect business sense. Microsoft would be mad to keep Minecraft to itself, especially when it works so perfectly on the Switch.

You can expect our full review very soon (we still want to test the multiplayer servers which went live today), but the bottom line is that Minecraft on the Nintendo Switch is a dream come true. Gone are the restrictions of cables tying you down to a single room or television, and gone are the restrictions that limit you to very small worlds and performance caps on your smartphone or tablet.

The world sizes in Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition are about 12 times larger than what you could create in the Wii U version, which makes an incalculable difference for those of you who love to branch out and create massive worlds with your friends. It also comes with tons of pre-loaded content, including the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, which was originally released as a separate download for Minecraft: Wii U Edition.

The Mario Mash-Up Pack gives players "40 new Super Mario-themed skins, which transform the game's characters into familiar heroes like Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, and even troublemakers like Bowser, Wario and all seven Koopalings. All the world and item textures in the game will also be redone, providing players the opportunity to create their own Super Mario-themed locations within the world of Minecraft. While building, players will even enjoy listening to the smooth sounds of 15 pieces of music from Super Mario 64. Builders of all ages will love crafting massive new worlds using building blocks inspired by a series as accessible and recognizable as Super Mario."

Those fifteen Mario 64 music tracks are what make the entire experience click. Wandering from place to place, dropping down tubes and finding Super Mario Easter eggs, you'll be transported to your childhood days as some of the most iconic compositions in video game music history play gently through the world.

If you're at all tempted by the prospect of Minecraft on the Switch, grab this now; you won't regret it!