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Minecraft: Bedrock version (Better Together update) releasing on June 21st, alongside retail release

Minecraft: Bedrock version (Better Together update) and retail release

After many months of waiting, the new version of Minecraft is finally ready to be released on the Nintendo Switch! Yesterday, Microsoft announced that the Bedrock update (previously known as Better Together update) would be available from June 21st worldwide. As announced previously, it will be available both in a digital format (via the Nintendo eShop) and at retail, on the same day.

If you already own a digital copy of the game and don’t want to buy the game again, there’s nothing to worry about: as announced initially, you will be able to upgrade to the new version of the game for free (while keeping the old version of the game, that will remain playable but will not get any more major updates). The “upgrade” will simply consist in you downloading the new version from the Nintendo eShop!

Among the many new features and improvements, the Bedrock update for Minecraft brings cross-play (and cross-buy) support, which means that you will be able to play with other players on Nintendo Switch, but also Xbox One, Windows 10, Android, iOS, and even VR platforms… everyone together.

Also, the Bedrock update for Minecraft brings achievements (and Gamerscore), which is no big surprise as an Xbox Live account will be required to play online.

But that’s not all: with this new version of Minecraft, players on Nintendo Switch will have access to the Minecraft Marketplace, where hundreds of maps, skins, and texture packs from various creators are available for purchase (using Minecoins). The best part? All purchases can be enjoyed on all platforms with the Bedrock update: you don’t have to rebuy anything.

If you’re planning to get the retail release of Minecraft on Nintendo Switch, you should know that it comes with the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack included. Of course, the Bedrock update is also already included, which is not really a surprise as the update itself was “delayed” so that its release would be simultaneous with the retail version.

Finally, here’s some screenshots:

Minecraft: save data transfer (Switch old version > Switch new version, Wii U > Switch new version)

Already enjoying Minecraft on your Nintendo Switch or Wii U, and wondering what will happen to your worlds created on those versions? If you’re already playing on Nintendo Switch, you will be able to transfer them all to the new version of the game.

If you don’t already have the game on Nintendo Switch and you’re playing on Wii U, you will be able to transfer your worlds to the new version… but not at launch. That particular feature will be added at a later date, most likely as part of the Update Aquatic on Wii U.

Alternativaly, you can already transfer worlds from the Wii U version of the game to the (old) version on Nintendo Switch, as detailed in this post. After that, you can transfer them again from the old version to the new version on Nintendo Switch.

Minecraft – Update Aquatic and other updates

Next: an update on… the Update Aquatic. Part 1 is coming to the new version of Minecraft on Nintendo Switch on launch day (June 21st), via a free Software update. It’s also coming to the Wii U Edition, but at a later date. That update will also enable cross-platform multiplayer on Nintendo Switch (Bedrock version only), since that particular feature requires all players to use the same version of the game.

After that, another update will bring servers and Realms to the new Minecraft on Nintendo Switch several weeks after its release. And then, the second part of Update Aquatic will go live, for everyone. Naturally, all the relevant details pertaining to those updates will be posted to the Updates page!

NB: the Update Aquatic is not coming to the “old” Minecraft on Nintendo Switch, only the new one (Bedrock update)!

Source: Microsoft / Aubrey Morris (Twitter) / Nintendo / Nintendo

Lite_Agent

Founder and main writer for Perfectly Nintendo. Tried really hard to find something funny and witty to put here, but had to admit defeat.

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