The Evolution of Minecraft on Nintendo Consoles

Minecraft on EVERY Nintendo Console – A Wild History

From Ignored to Nintendo Royalty

Minecraft and Nintendo—two gaming giants that, for a long time, seemed completely separate. Back in the day, Minecraft was everywhere—on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation—but for some reason, Nintendo fans were left out. It took years for Minecraft to finally land on a Nintendo console, and when it did, the journey was anything but smooth.

From secret games, weird exclusives, and even Smash Bros. crossovers, Minecraft’s history with Nintendo has been one of the strangest in gaming. So, let’s take a deep dive into how Minecraft went from ignored by Nintendo to being one of their best-selling games ever.

The Early Days – Why Wasn't Minecraft on Nintendo?

When Minecraft exploded in popularity in the early 2010s, every major console wanted a piece of it.

• Xbox 360 got Minecraft in 2012 (thanks to Microsoft backing the port).
• PlayStation 3 had to wait until 2013 for its version.
• But Nintendo fans? They had nothing.

At the time, the Wii U was Nintendo’s newest console, and it seemed perfect for Minecraft. The GamePad touchscreen could’ve been used for inventory management, crafting, or even local multiplayer.

So why didn’t it happen sooner?

• 2013: Mojang (the studio behind Minecraft) said they had no plans for a Wii U version.
• 2014: Even Shigeru Miyamoto (the creator of Mario and Zelda) said Minecraft would be a perfect fit for Nintendo.
• 2015: Mojang still said they had no plans for Minecraft on Nintendo consoles because the Wii U player base was too small.

At this point, it seemed like Minecraft and Nintendo would never mix. But then…

Minecraft Wii U Edition – The Late Arrival 🕹️

Release Date: December 17, 2015

After years of waiting, Nintendo fans finally got Minecraft Wii U Edition.

What Made It Unique?

• Exclusive Super Mario-themed DLC (the Mario Mash-Up Pack)
• GamePad support (but only for inventory navigation, no dual-screen multiplayer 😢)
• Higher price tag ($30 instead of $20, because it came with built-in DLC)

The Problems?

• No touchscreen crafting (why even use the GamePad then?!)
• No separate screen multiplayer (missed opportunity)
• Weaker graphics and shorter render distance than Xbox & PlayStation versions

Even though it was a decent port, Minecraft Wii U Edition felt like a rushed afterthought. But it still sold surprisingly well, proving Nintendo fans really wanted Minecraft.

And then, in 2017, Nintendo did something no one expected...

Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition – The Strangest Port Ever 🎮

Release Date: September 13, 2017

Imagine trying to cram an entire Minecraft world onto a 3DS. That’s exactly what Mojang did—except, it only worked on the New Nintendo 3DS models (sorry, old 3DS owners).

What Made It Unique?

• Dual-screen gameplay – The bottom screen acted as your map, inventory, and crafting menu.
• Full touchscreen controls – Actually useful for inventory management.
• Auto-jump – Because the C-stick "nub" was terrible for camera movement.

The Problems?

• No 3D support (what’s the point of a 3DS version without 3D?!)
• Limited world size (tiny compared to console versions)
• Horrible performance – Laggy, choppy, and low-resolution textures.

And the worst part? It launched AFTER the Switch Edition!

By the time the 3DS version dropped, Minecraft: Switch Edition had already been out for five months, making the 3DS port completely obsolete before it even had a chance.

Mojang stopped updating the 3DS version in 2019, just two years later.

Minecraft on Nintendo Switch – The Ultimate Version? 🎮🔥

Release Date: May 11, 2017

This was Minecraft’s true home on a Nintendo console. The Switch Edition was a massive upgrade over the Wii U version, and eventually, it became part of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, meaning crossplay with Xbox, PlayStation, and PC players.

What Made It the Best?

• Portable Minecraft – Play anywhere, anytime.
• Full controller support – No weird C-stick issues.
• Higher performance (1080p docked, 720p handheld).
• Cross-platform play – Build with friends on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
• The return of Mario-themed content – But only usable in single-player.

The Problems?

• Chunk loading issues – The game struggles to keep up when exploring fast.
• Late-game lag – Too many mobs, villagers, or items? Get ready for frame drops.
• Microsoft login nightmare – Every time you launch the game, you might have to log in again.

Despite its flaws, the Switch version became the best-selling console version of Minecraft ever, even outselling Xbox and PlayStation.

Minecraft in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – The Crossover No One Expected 🏆

In 2020, Nintendo shocked the world by adding Steve & Alex from Minecraft to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Why This Was HUGE:

• First Microsoft-owned characters in Smash.
• Fully unique playstyle – Crafting, mining, and block-building in a fighting game.
• Exclusive Minecraft Amiibo figures – Official Nintendo-made Minecraft merch.

At this point, Minecraft wasn’t just on Nintendo consoles—it was part of Nintendo history.

A Bumpy but Legendary Journey

Minecraft and Nintendo had a weird, slow start, but today, they’re closely connected. From the late arrival on Wii U, the weird 3DS version, and the best-selling Switch port, Minecraft has finally found its home on Nintendo.

Now, the Switch version is thriving, crossplay is a thing, and even Super Smash Bros. has Steve.

Who would’ve thought that Minecraft, a game that was once ignored by Nintendo, would eventually become one of their most iconic third-party games?

What’s YOUR favorite version of Minecraft on Nintendo consoles?

Stay tuned for more gaming deep dives at Land of Geek Magazine! 🎮🔥

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