Minecraft on Nintendo Switch costs $26.99 as a one-time purchase

You buy Minecraft once on the Nintendo Switch eShop and own it permanently on that console. There is no monthly subscription required to play the game itself, though you do need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play multiplayer with other people online. The single-player mode works without any subscription.

The price is the same whether you buy it digitally through the eShop or as a physical cartridge from a retailer. Physical copies sometimes go on sale at stores like Target or Best Buy, but the digital version rarely discounts below the standard $26.99.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft costs $26.99 on Nintendo Switch as a permanent purchase with no monthly fees to play single-player.
  • You need a separate Nintendo Switch Online subscription ($20 per year or $50 for 12 months) only if you want to play multiplayer with friends online.
  • Physical cartridges and digital downloads cost the same, but physical copies occasionally go on sale at retailers while digital prices stay fixed.
  • The game works on all Nintendo Switch models: the original, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED, using the same $26.99 price across all versions.

What you need to play multiplayer online

Playing Minecraft alone or with people in the same room costs nothing beyond the $26.99 game purchase. But if you want to join online servers or play with friends remotely, you must have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription active on your account.

Nintendo Switch Online costs $20 per year for the basic plan or $50 for 12 months paid upfront. There is also an Expansion Pack tier at $50 per year that adds access to classic NES and SNES games, but you do not need it just for Minecraft. The subscription covers all online multiplayer games on your Switch, not just Minecraft.

You can test whether you have an active subscription by opening any online game. If the game launches into multiplayer mode without a warning, your subscription is current.

Digital versus physical: which one to buy

The Nintendo eShop sells Minecraft digitally for $26.99, and you read it directly to your console. A physical cartridge from Target, Best Buy, Amazon, or GameStop costs the same amount new, but used copies sometimes appear cheaper at resellers or local game stores.

Digital is faster—you buy it and start playing within minutes. Physical takes a day or two to arrive if you order online, but you own a cartridge you can resell or trade later. Digital stays on your console as long as your Nintendo account exists; if your console breaks, you can redownload it on a replacement.

Neither version goes on sale often. The digital price has remained $26.99 for years. Physical copies occasionally drop to $20 or $22 during holiday sales at major retailers, so if you are not in a hurry, watching for a sale on the cartridge version can save a few dollars.

How Minecraft works across different Switch models

Minecraft runs on the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch Lite, and the Switch OLED. The price is $26.99 on all three. The game looks and plays the same on each model, though the OLED screen is brighter and the Lite is smaller and lighter.

If you own multiple Switch consoles, you only need to buy Minecraft once. You can link your Nintendo account to each console, and the game will be available on all of them. Only one person per console needs to own the game for everyone using that console to play it.

What happens if you share a console

If two people share one Nintendo Switch, only one of you needs to own Minecraft. The person who bought it can set that console as their "primary console" in the Switch settings. Then any account on that console can launch and play the game.

For online multiplayer, each person playing needs their own Nintendo Switch Online subscription. If only one person has the subscription, only that account can join online servers or play with remote friends. Local multiplayer—playing together on the same console—works without any subscription.

Minecraft Realms and other optional costs

Minecraft on Switch also offers Realms, which is an optional subscription that lets you create a persistent world that stays online even when you are not playing. Realms costs $8 per month or $80 per year. It is separate from the game purchase and from Nintendo Switch Online—you pay all three if you want online multiplayer in a Realm.

Realms is useful if you want a private server for you and a few friends without the complexity of running your own server. Most casual players skip it and use the free multiplayer servers built into the game instead.

Minecraft also sells cosmetic add-ons like skins and texture packs through the in-game marketplace. These are entirely optional and do not affect gameplay. Prices range from $1 to $20, but you can play the full game without buying any of them.

Where to check the current price before you buy

The Nintendo eShop always shows the current price when you search for Minecraft. You can also check the official Minecraft website, which lists the Switch price alongside other platforms. If you are looking for a physical copy on sale, search "Minecraft Nintendo Switch" on Target.com, Best Buy's website, or Amazon to see current prices at major retailers.

Prices can vary slightly by region, so if you are outside the United States, check your local eShop or retailer for the price in your currency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay monthly to play Minecraft on Switch?

No. You pay $26.99 once to own the game. You only pay a monthly fee if you buy Realms ($8 per month) for a private persistent world, or if you want Nintendo Switch Online ($20 per year) for online multiplayer with other players.

Can I play Minecraft with friends online without paying extra?

You need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription ($20 per year) to play online multiplayer. Local multiplayer on the same console is free. Realms is a separate optional subscription if you want a private world that stays online.

Is Minecraft cheaper on Switch than on other platforms?

Minecraft costs $26.99 on Switch, $20 on PC Java Edition, and $27 on PlayStation and Xbox. The Switch price is in the middle. Mobile versions on iOS and Android are free but have fewer features than the console versions.

What if I buy Minecraft and then delete it from my Switch?

You own it permanently. You can redownload it from the eShop at any time without paying again. Your save files stay on your console unless you manually delete them.

Can I use Minecraft gift cards to buy the game?

Yes. Nintendo eShop gift cards work for any purchase in the eShop, including Minecraft. You can buy eShop cards at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and most grocery stores, then redeem them in your Switch account.