Minecraft on Nintendo Switch costs $19.99 and does not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play

You buy Minecraft once on the Nintendo eShop for $19.99, and that purchase stays on your account forever. You do not need to pay a monthly subscription to Nintendo to play it — that is different from some other games. Once you own it, you can play single-player mode, local multiplayer with people in the same room, and online multiplayer with friends, all without paying extra.

The price has stayed at $19.99 since the game launched on Switch in 2017. Nintendo occasionally runs sales on the eShop, but these are unpredictable and usually last only a few days. If you see a discount, it is worth grabbing, but do not wait for one to happen — the game is worth the full price if you want to play now.

Key Takeaways

  • Minecraft costs $19.99 on the Nintendo eShop and is a one-time purchase that never expires.
  • You do not need Nintendo Switch Online to play Minecraft single-player or with people in the same room, but you do need it for online multiplayer with distant friends.
  • The game is the same version across all Switch consoles — the regular Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED all run the identical game.
  • You can download Minecraft directly to your Switch or buy a physical cartridge from retailers, though the cartridge costs the same or more.

How to buy Minecraft on the Nintendo eShop

Open the Nintendo eShop on your Switch, search for "Minecraft," and select the game from the results. Tap "Purchase" and follow the prompts to complete the transaction using the payment method linked to your Nintendo account. The download begins immediately after purchase and takes about 2 to 3 gigabytes of storage space.

If you do not have a payment method on file, you can add a credit card, debit card, or redeem a Nintendo eShop gift card. Gift cards are sold at most retailers that carry video games — Target, Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop — and come in denominations of $10, $20, $35, and $50. A $20 gift card covers the full cost of Minecraft with no remainder.

Physical cartridges versus digital downloads

You can also buy Minecraft as a physical cartridge from retailers. The cartridge costs the same $19.99 or sometimes slightly more, depending on the store and whether it is on sale. The advantage of a cartridge is that you can trade it, sell it, or give it to someone else — the digital version stays tied to your account and cannot be transferred.

The disadvantage is that you need the cartridge in the Switch to play. If you lose it or it gets damaged, you lose access to the game. A digital download is always available on your account, on any Switch console you log into, without needing to carry a cartridge around. Most people choose digital for this reason.

What Nintendo Switch Online does and does not cover

Nintendo Switch Online is a separate subscription that costs $20 per year for the basic plan. It covers online multiplayer for games that support it, cloud saves, and access to a library of classic NES and SNES games. Minecraft online multiplayer requires Nintendo Switch Online, but only if you want to play with friends who are not in the same room.

If you only play single-player or invite friends to play on the same Switch, you do not need the subscription. If you want to join a friend's world or invite them to yours over the internet, you both need active Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions. The subscription is tied to your Nintendo account, not to the game itself.

Realms: the optional multiplayer subscription within Minecraft

Minecraft also offers a separate service called Realms, which costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Realms is different from Nintendo Switch Online — it is a subscription within the game itself. Realms lets you create a persistent world that stays online even when you are not playing, and up to 10 friends can join whenever they want without needing to be in the same room or on the same network.

Realms is optional. You can play online multiplayer with friends for free using Nintendo Switch Online alone, but you have to be online at the same time and one person has to host the world. Realms removes that limitation. Most casual players never need it, but if you want a world that runs 24/7 for you and your friends to visit anytime, Realms makes that possible.

Storage space and what to expect after purchase

Minecraft takes up about 2 to 3 gigabytes of space on your Switch. The Switch Lite has 32 gigabytes of internal storage, and the regular Switch and OLED models have 64 gigabytes. If you plan to download multiple large games, you may want to buy a microSD card — they are inexpensive and expand your storage significantly. A 128-gigabyte card costs around $15 to $25 and is enough for dozens of games.

After you download Minecraft, you can start playing immediately. The game does not require an internet connection to play single-player mode, though you will need one to download it in the first place and to access online multiplayer later. Updates to Minecraft are released regularly and download automatically when you connect to the internet, but they do not cost anything extra.

Regional pricing and currency differences

The $19.99 price applies in the United States. If you are in another country, the price converts to your local currency and may vary slightly depending on your region and local taxes. The Nintendo eShop shows the exact price in your currency before you complete the purchase, so you will know the total cost before you commit.

If you travel or move to a different region, your Minecraft purchase stays with your account and works on any Switch console worldwide. You do not need to buy the game again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Minecraft with my friends online without paying for Nintendo Switch Online?

No. Online multiplayer requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription for each player. Single-player and local multiplayer with people in the same room are free after you buy the game.

If I buy Minecraft on one Switch, can I play it on another Switch?

Yes. Log into your Nintendo account on the other Switch and download Minecraft from your purchase history in the eShop. The game is tied to your account, not the console.

Does Minecraft go on sale often?

Sales happen occasionally but are unpredictable. The eShop may discount it for a few days during major sales events, but there is no set schedule. The regular price of $19.99 is the standard cost.

What is the difference between Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons?

Minecraft is the main building and survival game. Minecraft Dungeons is a separate game that costs $19.99 and plays like an action dungeon crawler. They are different games with different gameplay, so make sure you are buying the one you want.

Do I need to pay anything after I buy Minecraft?

No, unless you want Realms or cosmetic add-ons. The base game is complete and playable forever after the one-time $19.99 purchase. Nintendo Switch Online is required only for online multiplayer with distant friends.