The Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition is the most straightforward way to jump into Mojang's blocky ARPG when it launches on September 29, 2026. Priced at $29.99 / £24.99, the base game includes the full campaign, four-player co-op across local and online play, and cross-platform progression — and if you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, the entire standard edition is included at no extra cost on day one. That combination of a low entry price and a generous subscription path makes it the smartest starting point for most players, especially if you're unsure whether the deluxe extras justify the extra $20.
What $29.99 Buys You at Launch
Pre-Order Cosmetics: Twisted Cape, Twisted Chicken Pet, and Two Hero Skins
Pre-orders bundle two hero skins, a Twisted cape, and a Twisted chicken pet — the same Twisted-line cosmetics tied to the site's soul-cape lore. These are purely cosmetic: they don't touch the four armor slots, three artifacts, or three talismans that define builds. Mojang's teaser of a Tornado Blade enchantable at the Enchantsmith confirms pre-order gear won't shift talisman theorycrafting, which r/MinecraftDungeons is already testing from demo footage ahead of the September 29 launch.
The Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition sits at a deliberately accessible price point that mirrors the original game's launch strategy. According to the official Xbox Wire announcement, the base game costs $29.99 / £24.99 on all platforms, with regional pricing varying slightly depending on where you live. The Steam store page, for example, lists the standard edition at S$39.90 in Singapore, which reflects local market adjustments rather than a universal markup. This pricing puts it squarely in the "impulse buy" territory for action RPG fans, especially when you consider that the original Minecraft Dungeons launched at the same price and went on to sell millions of copies.
What you get inside the standard edition is the complete base game with no content gated behind additional purchases. That includes the full story campaign, all the procedurally generated dungeon layouts, the gear system with four armor slots, three artifact slots, and three talisman slots, plus the new Enchantsmith mechanic that lets you re-roll enchantments on your favorite weapons. The game also supports up to four-player co-op across local couch play, online sessions, and matchmaking, which means you can play through the entire campaign with friends regardless of which platform they own.
| Purchase Option | Price (US) | Includes | Game Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $29.99 | Base game only | Yes, day one |
| Deluxe Edition | $49.99 | Base game + DLC 1 + DLC 2 + cosmetics | No |
| Game Pass | Included | Base game only | Yes |
| Pre-order Standard | $29.99 | Base game + pre-order bonuses | Yes |
The standard edition also includes Xbox Play Anywhere support, which means if you buy it digitally on Xbox or Windows PC, you own it on both platforms and your save data carries over automatically. That's a meaningful value-add for players who switch between console and PC, and it's something the deluxe edition also includes, so you're not missing out by choosing the cheaper option.
What's Not in the Standard Edition
It's worth being clear about what the standard edition does not include, because the deluxe edition's marketing can make the base game feel like it's missing something essential. The standard edition does not include the two post-launch DLC packs that Mojang has already confirmed, nor does it include any of the cosmetic items like the hero skins, the Twisted cape, or the Twisted chicken pet. None of these affect the core gameplay loop, though, and the base campaign is a complete experience on its own. While these cosmetics are purely optional, the Soul Cape is another exclusive item players can track down to expand their collection without affecting the core campaign.
Minecraft Dungeons II Deluxe Edition Contents Comparison
Regional Price Spread: Steam vs US$29.99 on Storefronts
Steam's Singapore listing shows Standard at S$39.90 (Deluxe S$64.90), while Xbox Wire confirms US$29.99 / US$49.99 — a ~33% regional markup on the Standard SKU. Standard is the base game alone, with no DLC 1 or DLC 2 bundled; Game Pass day-one access (September 29) is a third entry path that bypasses regional pricing entirely. Before buying, compare Steam, Xbox, and Game Pass: the same Standard edition costs different amounts per storefront, and only Game Pass avoids the regional spread.
| Item | Standard Edition | Deluxe Edition |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $29.99 | $49.99 |
| UK price | £24.99 | Not announced |
| Singapore price (Steam) | S$39.90 | S$64.90 |
| Included content | Base game only | Base game + DLC 1 + DLC 2 (as released) + hero skins, cape, pet |
| Pre-order bonuses | Two hero skins, Twisted cape, Twisted chicken pet | Same as Standard pre-order bonuses |
| Day-one Game Pass | Included (day one) | Not applicable (sold separately) |
If you're weighing the Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition against the deluxe, the key question is whether the extra $20 buys anything you'll actually use. The Minecraft Dungeons II deluxe edition contents include the base game, both DLC packs as they release, and a bundle of cosmetics that are exclusive to this edition. According to the Steam listing, the deluxe edition is priced at $49.99 / S$64.90, which means you're paying a $20 premium for the DLC and cosmetics bundled together.
The DLC packs are the most substantial part of the deluxe package. Mojang has confirmed two expansions that will release after launch, and while the studio hasn't revealed exact release dates yet, community reports suggest they'll follow the original game's pattern of arriving within the first year. If you buy the standard edition and later decide you want the DLC, you'll need to purchase each pack individually, which could cost more than the $20 deluxe premium depending on how Mojang prices them.
The cosmetics in the deluxe edition are more of a mixed bag. You get the hero skins, a cape, and a pet, but these are purely visual and don't affect gameplay stats. The Twisted cape and Twisted chicken pet are actually pre-order bonuses, not deluxe exclusives, which means you can get them by pre-ordering the standard edition rather than paying for the deluxe. That's a crucial distinction for budget-conscious players.
| Feature | Standard Edition | Deluxe Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game | Yes | Yes |
| DLC Pack 1 | No | Yes |
| DLC Pack 2 | No | Yes |
| Hero Skins | No | Yes |
| Twisted Cape | Pre-order only | Pre-order only |
| Twisted Chicken Pet | Pre-order only | Pre-order only |
| Game Pass | Yes | No |
The math here is straightforward. If you're planning to play the game for months and want every piece of content, the deluxe edition saves you money compared to buying the standard edition and then purchasing both DLC packs separately. If you're a more casual player who might finish the campaign and move on, the standard edition is the smarter buy, especially since you can always upgrade later.
Minecraft Dungeons II Pre-Order Bonus and Skins
The Minecraft Dungeons II pre-order bonus is one of the more generous pre-order packages we've seen from Mojang. According to PCGamesN's coverage, pre-ordering any edition of the game gives you two exclusive hero skins, the Twisted cape, and the Twisted chicken pet. These are cosmetic items that don't affect gameplay, but they're exclusive to pre-orders, which means you won't be able to get them through any other means after launch.
The Minecraft Dungeons II pre-order skins are designed to match the game's darker, more gothic tone compared to the original. The hero skins feature a twisted, corrupted look that fits the game's story about a withering force spreading across the land. The Twisted cape is a flowing, dark garment that looks great on any character build, and the Twisted chicken pet follows you around, which is both adorable and a little unsettling given the game's tone.
Here's what you get with a pre-order, regardless of which edition you choose:
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Two exclusive hero skins — these are cosmetic and don't affect stats
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The Twisted cape — a cosmetic back item that's exclusive to pre-orders
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The Twisted chicken pet — a cosmetic companion that follows you through dungeons
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All pre-order bonuses carry over — whether you buy standard or deluxe
The key takeaway here is that the pre-order bonuses are identical across both editions. There's no reason to buy the deluxe edition just for the pre-order skins, because you get them with the standard edition too. This is a smart move from Mojang, because it means players who want the cosmetics don't feel forced into the more expensive edition.
Game Pass and Cross-Platform Considerations
If you're a Game Pass subscriber, the Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition is effectively free. The game launches on Game Pass day one, which means you can play the entire base campaign without spending a dollar. This is a huge value, especially when you consider that the original Minecraft Dungeons was also a Game Pass title and it became one of the most-played games on the service.
The Game Pass version includes the full standard edition, but it does not include the deluxe edition's DLC packs or cosmetics. If you want those, you'll need to buy the deluxe edition upgrade, which is a separate purchase even if you're playing through Game Pass. That said, the base game is complete enough that you can easily spend dozens of hours in the campaign before you feel the need for more content.
The game also supports cross-platform play and progression across all platforms, including Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. That means you can play with friends regardless of what console they own, and your character, gear, and progress carry over if you switch platforms. This is a major improvement over the original game, which had more limited cross-play support at launch.
Which Platform Should You Buy On?
The platform choice matters more than you might think. If you're on Xbox or Windows PC, the standard edition includes Xbox Play Anywhere, which gives you both versions for a single purchase. If you're on Steam, you get the same game but without the Play Anywhere benefit, though you do get Steam achievements and cloud saves. PlayStation and Nintendo players get the game on their respective stores, with no cross-buy benefits.
Should You Buy Standard or Deluxe?
The decision between the Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition and the deluxe edition comes down to your playstyle and budget. If you're a completionist who wants every piece of content and you know you'll be playing for months, the deluxe edition is the better value because it bundles both DLC packs at a discount. If you're a more casual player who wants to experience the campaign and maybe dabble in co-op, the standard edition is the smarter choice, especially if you're on Game Pass.
There's also a third option: buy the standard edition now and upgrade to the deluxe later. Mojang has confirmed that the deluxe edition will be available as an upgrade path, so you can start with the base game and add the DLC and cosmetics when you're ready. This is the best approach if you're unsure about your long-term commitment, because you don't pay for content you might never use.
Here's a quick decision framework:
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Choose Standard if you're on Game Pass, you're a casual player, or you're unsure about the DLC
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Choose Deluxe if you're a completionist, you want all content at a discount, or you're planning to play with a regular group
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Choose Standard + Upgrade if you want to start cheap and decide later
Whichever edition you choose, the pre-order bonuses are the same, so you're not missing out on cosmetics by picking the cheaper option. The real value difference is the DLC packs, and that's a decision you can make with your wallet after you've spent some time with the base game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition price?
The Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition costs $29.99 / £24.99 at launch on all platforms, with regional pricing variations on Steam. The deluxe edition is $49.99 and includes both DLC packs plus cosmetics. Game Pass subscribers get the standard edition free on day one.
Is the Minecraft Dungeons II standard edition included with Game Pass?
Yes, the standard edition is included with Game Pass on day one, covering Xbox, PC, and cloud. The Game Pass version includes the full base campaign and co-op, but not the deluxe edition's DLC packs or cosmetics. You can play the entire base game without purchasing anything.
What are the Minecraft Dungeons II pre-order bonuses?
Pre-ordering any edition gives you two exclusive hero skins, the Twisted cape, and the Twisted chicken pet. These are cosmetic-only items that don't affect gameplay, and they're identical across standard and deluxe editions. You get them regardless of which version you pre-order.
Should I buy the standard or deluxe edition?
Choose the standard edition if you're on Game Pass, a casual player, or unsure about the DLC. Choose the deluxe edition if you're a completionist who wants both DLC packs at a discount. You can also buy standard now and upgrade later, which is the safest approach for uncertain players.
Does the standard edition include cross-platform play?
Yes, the standard edition supports full cross-platform play and progression across Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. You can play with friends on any platform, and your saves carry over when you switch devices. Xbox Play Anywhere is included for Xbox and Windows PC players.