Minecraft Dungeons II Joins Game Pass Ultimate and PC September 29

Minecraft Dungeons II is coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on September 29​

Xbox Wire's second September 2026 Game Pass lineup, published September 15, lists Minecraft Dungeons II for September 29 on cloud, console, handheld and PC. The listing names only Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and says the game is "Available on day one with Xbox Game Pass." Thurrott.com reported the same plans and date. It said Minecraft Dungeons II (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) is coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on September 29, and described it as the first of two big new first-party games reaching Game Pass in the coming weeks.

The game's Xbox Store page agrees. It reads "Play day one with Game Pass · Coming September 29, 2026." The store lists Xbox Game Studios as publisher and Mojang Studios as developer. The launch date isn't new: back in June, Xbox Wire said the game arrives on September 29, and will be available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, cloud, and included with Game Pass.

As of this writing, the game is six days away. It will appear in the Game Pass library on September 29, not before. If you see it in the Xbox app today, that is a pre-install or wishlist listing.

The name has caused some confusion because the official title uses a Roman numeral. Mojang's own FAQ says Minecraft Dungeons II (aka Minecraft Dungeons 2) is the sequel to the dungeon crawling action-adventure game, Minecraft Dungeons! The FAQ says the sequel includes new missions, new enemies, and all new areas to fight through. The new setting is the Sift – a new dimension coming to Minecraft Dungeons II.

The Standard Edition is the Game Pass version; Deluxe Edition DLC is sold separately​

The Xbox Store sells two editions, and it puts the "Included with Game Pass" label only on the Standard Edition. Subscribers get the base game.

The Deluxe Edition is listed separately. Per the store, the Minecraft Dungeons II Deluxe Edition includes everything in the Standard Edition, plus: Soul cape · Blub pet · 4 hero skins · DLC 1 & 2 (available as released). The two DLC packs will arrive after launch. Xbox hasn't said that any Deluxe content comes with the subscription.

Insider Gaming, whose explainer sparked this round of questions, predicted two things: that a Deluxe upgrade will "likely" be sold separately, and that DLC will need a separate purchase, as it did for the first game. Both are reasonable guesses, but neither is confirmed on the official pages. As of this writing, the store doesn't list a standalone Deluxe upgrade for subscribers, and Xbox hasn't said how the two DLC packs will be priced or sold to Game Pass players. If the DLC is the reason you care, hold off on assuming a discount or an upgrade path until those listings exist.

There's also a pre-order bonus. The store says to pre-order today to get two hero skins, the Twisted cape, and the Twisted chicken pet. Minecraft.net says that offer expires September 28, 2026. The store ties the bonus to pre-orders and doesn't say whether Game Pass players get the same items. Treat it as a buyer's perk.

Game Pass Premium and Essential are not on the day-one list​

The September 15 Xbox Wire post lists Minecraft Dungeons II under Ultimate and PC Game Pass only. Premium and Essential aren't mentioned. The same post shows how the tiers split. Several older titles in that wave were marked "Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass," including Ninja Gaiden 4 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Other games, such as Dune: Awakening and Mad King Redemption, went to Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass at the same time.

Insider Gaming says Premium members get select Xbox-published games within 12 months of launch, and that Essential has no stated policy on new releases. Xbox hasn't published a Premium date for Minecraft Dungeons II. The pattern in the September lineup suggests first-party launches reach Premium later, but that's an inference from other games, not a commitment for this one. Premium subscribers who want to play on launch day will have to upgrade their plan or buy the game.

Insider Gaming also frames day-one Game Pass as automatic for first-party games, with Call of Duty as an exception. For this title the general rule doesn't matter: Xbox has explicitly listed Minecraft Dungeons II as a day-one release for the two named plans.

Xbox Play Anywhere, Steam and cloud: where the PC version lives​

For Windows players, the platform details are the more practical question. The Xbox Store lists Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11 as platforms. The game supports Xbox Play Anywhere, which the store describes this way: Buy Minecraft Dungeons II once and play on Xbox console and PC for no additional cost. Xbox Wire's June post repeats that you can play it on both console and PC at no additional cost with Xbox Play Anywhere.

Play Anywhere is a feature of buying the game through Microsoft. It isn't a Game Pass feature, and a subscription doesn't give you permanent ownership. If your plan lapses, you lose Game Pass access. A Microsoft Store purchase keeps working on both console and PC.

The game will also be sold elsewhere. Xbox Wire says it is also available on Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Those versions don't come through Game Pass. On PC, PC Game Pass gives you the game through the Xbox app, while a Steam copy is a separate purchase on a separate storefront. Xbox hasn't said whether a Steam purchase counts for Play Anywhere, which the store describes only in terms of buying the game through Microsoft.

There's one small inconsistency on the store page. Its platform list names only Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11, but the pre-order sections for both editions also show an Xbox One button. Xbox Wire's announcements mention Series X|S, PC and cloud, not Xbox One. If you still play on an Xbox One, check what the listing actually delivers before pre-ordering. Last-generation players can also use Xbox Cloud Gaming through Ultimate.

On multiplayer, the store's footnote says online console multiplayer needs an Xbox Game Pass subscription, sold separately. It doesn't say which tier, and it covers only consoles.

A Hero Cape reward for playing both Minecraft Dungeons games​

There's also a cross-game cosmetic. Minecraft.net says to play Minecraft Dungeons I and II with the same Microsoft account to get the cape in Dungeons II and in Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition! According to the terms, the offer requires Minecraft Dungeons I and Minecraft Dungeons II (each game sold separately). Playing the games on Game Pass qualifies.

Game Pass play explicitly counts, so subscribers don't have to buy either game to earn the cape. What matters is using the same Microsoft account for both games. If you share a console or PC between family members, check which account is signed in before you start.

The first game has a long history to build on. It launched in May 2020 and later reached 25 million players, and Mojang officially announced the end of development on September 28, 2023.

What this means for you​

Your decision depends on which Game Pass plan you have and whether you care about the Deluxe Edition content. Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can skip buying the base game and play from September 29. Premium and Essential members, and anyone who wants the post-launch DLC, face a real buy-or-wait choice.

• Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers get the Standard Edition of Minecraft Dungeons II on launch day, September 29, 2026, on console, PC, cloud and handheld.
• Game Pass Premium and Essential aren't listed for day-one access, and Xbox hasn't announced a later date for those plans.
• The Deluxe Edition's Soul cape, Blub pet, four hero skins and two DLC packs aren't part of the Game Pass listing, and Xbox hasn't published pricing or an upgrade path for subscribers.
• If you want to keep the game after your subscription ends, a Microsoft Store purchase includes Xbox Play Anywhere across Xbox and Windows 10/11. Steam, PlayStation and Switch copies are separate purchases.
• The pre-order bonus (two hero skins, the Twisted cape and the Twisted chicken pet) expires September 28, the day before launch.
• Playing both Minecraft Dungeons games on the same Microsoft account unlocks the Hero Cape, and playing through Game Pass counts.

Xbox has made Minecraft Dungeons II a day-one Game Pass title for its top two plans, and the only real questions left are about add-ons. Once the game goes live on September 29, the Xbox Store listing should show whether a Deluxe upgrade exists for subscribers. The DLC packs will show whether Microsoft keeps paid expansions separate from Game Pass, as it did with the first game. Premium members have no announced date, so waiting is a gamble.

Update: Report claims Minecraft Dungeons II launch has moved to September 28 (September 26, 2026)​

HappyGamer, citing Xbox Wire’s September 25 “Next Week on Xbox” roundup, reports that Minecraft Dungeons II will launch on Monday, September 28 rather than September 29. The report also lists a $29.99 price and repeats day-one availability through Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere.

That date conflicts with the September 29 release date previously listed by Xbox Wire, the Xbox Store and Mojang’s pre-order material. Xbox has not yet issued a separate announcement explaining a one-day change, so Windows players and Game Pass subscribers should treat September 28 as a reported update rather than a confirmed replacement until the official store listing changes.

If confirmed, the shift would mean PC Game Pass and Ultimate members can begin downloading and playing through the Xbox app one day earlier than expected. It would also move the practical cutoff for any launch-day plans forward, while leaving the Standard Edition-versus-Deluxe-content distinction unchanged.

Update: Official trailer retains September 29 launch date (September 26, 2026)​

IGN’s newly published official “Get Ready” trailer lists Minecraft Dungeons 2 for release on September 29 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

That directly conflicts with the September 28 date reported by HappyGamer. While IGN is not Xbox’s store listing, the trailer’s release information points to September 29 remaining the intended launch date. Windows players and Game Pass subscribers should plan around September 29 unless Microsoft changes the Xbox Store or issues a formal scheduling update.

Update: Report lists September 29 global launch times and edition pricing (September 27, 2026)​

According to GameRant’s September 27 launch-time guide, Minecraft Dungeons 2 is scheduled to unlock globally on September 29 at 1 a.m. Pacific / 4 a.m. Eastern / 9 a.m. BST / 10 a.m. CEST. That supports the September 29 date retained in the official trailer and undercuts the unconfirmed September 28 claim.

GameRant also reports that there will be no preload, so PC Game Pass members should expect to download through the Xbox app only once the game becomes available. The outlet says the Standard Edition costs $29.99 and the Deluxe Edition costs $49.99.

The reported Deluxe price covers the previously listed four extra hero skins, Soul Cape, Blub pet, and access to DLC 1 and DLC 2 as released. The expansions still have no announced release dates or content details.

Update: Hands-on report details expanded loot and co-op options (September 28, 2026)​

Polygon’s September 28 hands-on report says Minecraft Dungeons 2 adds online matchmaking and supports mixed online-and-local co-op, expanding beyond the original game’s couch-focused setup. For Windows players, that could make PC Game Pass a more practical option for groups that cannot all play in the same room, although Xbox has not separately detailed matchmaking requirements or cross-platform rules.

According to Polygon, the sequel also replaces the original single armor slot with separate head, chest, legs and feet equipment slots, while adding upgradeable Talismans that provide passive bonuses. It reportedly introduces a more varied randomized loot system, more flexible enchantments and “soul-corrupted” enemies intended to require greater coordination.

The report further describes a larger world map with main quests, side activities, dungeons and secrets, rather than a strictly linear sequence of missions. These are gameplay impressions rather than a Microsoft feature guide, but they add substance to the previously announced new missions, enemies and Sift setting.

Update: IGN review finds a lightweight sequel with limited depth (September 28, 2026)​

IGN Pakistan’s published review, credited to Travis Northup, calls Minecraft Dungeons II a “shallow ARPG” that provides a few enjoyable evenings of accessible dungeon crawling but does not significantly distinguish itself from generic Diablo-style action games.

The review singles out the new Sift realm as the sequel’s strongest addition, citing its creatures and ideas, but criticizes the barebones story, surface-level combat and limited use of Minecraft’s recognizable world. It also suggests the game may suit players put off by more demanding ARPG build systems.

For PC Game Pass users, the verdict reinforces the value of trying the Standard Edition through a subscription rather than buying blindly at launch. Players looking for a deeper loot-driven RPG or a major reinvention of the original may want to wait for broader reviews and post-launch DLC details.

Update: Minecraft Dungeons II is now live across major platforms (September 29, 2026)​

According to SSBCrack’s September 29 launch report, Minecraft Dungeons II is now officially available, following its scheduled global unlock window. The outlet lists Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 among the live platforms.

For Windows players, this means PC Game Pass and Xbox app access should now be available rather than merely pre-installable, while Steam buyers can purchase and play through Valve’s storefront. The report does not add new detail on Game Pass tiers, Deluxe upgrades, DLC timing, cross-platform play, or whether every regional storefront went live simultaneously.

The launch confirmation also effectively resolves the earlier September 28-versus-September 29 date confusion in favor of September 29.

Update: Review roundup puts Minecraft Dungeons II at 76 on Metacritic (September 29, 2026)​

The Shortcut’s September 29 review roundup reports that Minecraft Dungeons II has a Metacritic score of 76 based on 26 critic reviews. It says 62% of those reviews are positive, 38% are mixed, and none are negative. That gives readers a broader picture than the less enthusiastic IGN review covered earlier, though the score may change as more reviews arrive.

According to The Shortcut, critics differ on how much the sequel improves on the first game. Destructoid scored it 9/10 and TheSixthAxis 8/10, praising its refinements. GamesRadar+ and GameSpot each gave it 7/10: both found more to enjoy in the sequel, while noting that it remains familiar or has rough edges. IGN’s 6/10 sits at the lower end of the scores in the roundup.

For Windows players deciding whether to buy, the early consensus suggests a worthwhile follow-up for fans of accessible co-op dungeon crawlers, not a clear recommendation for anyone seeking a substantially different action RPG. PC Game Pass members can try the included Standard Edition before deciding whether a separate purchase is worthwhile.

Update: Minecraft Dungeons II achievement list reveals 32 goals (September 29, 2026)​

According to TrueAchievements’ September 29 report, Minecraft Dungeons II has 32 Xbox achievements, 19 of them hidden. The outlet says the hidden achievements appear to be tied to story missions or side quests, though players avoiding spoilers can leave their descriptions concealed.

The visible goals give completion-minded players a clearer idea of the time involved. They include reaching level 100, activating every Minecart Station and collecting every enchantment book. Other achievements call for opening 100 chests, defeating 1,000 mobs with jump attacks, and equipping weapons and armor with level-three enchantments. TrueAchievements suggests the level, station and book goals could be the most time-consuming; it does not provide a completion-time estimate.

For PC Game Pass and Ultimate subscribers playing through the Xbox ecosystem, the list adds an optional set of targets beyond finishing the campaign. It does not change which Game Pass plans include the game or establish anything new about Deluxe content.

Update: GamingBolt reports mixed Steam reviews and a 2026 DLC window (September 29, 2026)​

GamingBolt reports that Minecraft Dungeons II’s Steam user rating was Mixed at the time of its September 29 article, with 48% of 760 reviews positive. According to the outlet, player complaints include problems linking Microsoft accounts, crashes and mouse-and-keyboard controls. That is a different picture from the critic-review roundup covered above, though the Steam rating may change as more players weigh in.

The account-linking and control complaints are particularly relevant to Windows players choosing between Steam and the Xbox app. GamingBolt says its own reviewer did not encounter technical or performance problems, so the reported issues may not affect everyone.

GamingBolt also reports that the first paid DLC is planned for later in 2026 and will add locations and enemy types. That is a more specific window than the earlier store listing provided, but the outlet does not give a release date or say whether Game Pass subscribers will have an upgrade option.

Update: Report details crossplay and Windows PC requirements (September 29, 2026)​

According to pc-tablet.com’s September 29 launch report, Minecraft Dungeons II supports cross-platform multiplayer between PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch players. The outlet says up to four people can play using local co-op, online multiplayer or a mix of the two. If accurate, that answers a question left open by the earlier hands-on report: a Windows player should be able to join friends on other supported platforms, not just other PC players.

The outlet also reports minimum PC requirements of 64-bit Windows 10, 8 GB of RAM, a Core i3-8100 or Ryzen 3 2200G, and a GTX 1050 or Radeon RX 560 with 2 GB of VRAM. Its recommended specifications rise to 16 GB of RAM, a Core i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 2600, and a GTX 1060 or RX 580. Windows players weighing a download through PC Game Pass can use those reported figures as a preliminary hardware check, but should confirm them against the game’s store listing.

The report adds that players can use a dedicated jump action for platforming and melee attacks. It does not establish a new Game Pass tier, Deluxe upgrade option or DLC release date.

Update: Error 0064 reportedly blocks some launch-day sign-ins (September 29, 2026)​

According to Mashable’s September 29 report, some Minecraft Dungeons II players are encountering error code 0064 when starting the game or signing in. The outlet cites player reports across multiple platforms, suggesting the problem is not confined to Windows or one console. This adds a specific sign-in error to the broader account-linking complaints reported earlier.

The cause remains unconfirmed. Mashable describes server overload and Microsoft authentication problems as player speculation, not an official diagnosis. The outlet also notes that Google searches for the error briefly spiked before declining, but that does not establish that the issue has been fixed or that all affected players can now connect.

Mashable reports that restarting the game or retrying sign-in worked for some players; signing out of and back into a Microsoft account is another suggested workaround. These are anecdotal measures, not confirmed fixes. For Windows users, the outlet additionally suggests repairing the Minecraft Launcher through its App Settings, although its report does not establish whether that step helps installations obtained through Steam or the Xbox app. Players should therefore avoid treating launcher repair as a universal remedy for error 0064.