Everything, everywhere, all at once
When it comes to the most popular and successful video games of all time, Minecraft is up there with the greatest. Noted by its availability on pretty much any modern platform you can think of, the game about collecting blocks and using them to create whatever you want while surviving against deadly creatures is terrific. But do you know all of the games from the Mojang-developed franchise?
To date, there have been roughly 12 different versions of Minecraft and adjacent releases. Many of these are simply variants of the original game. However, there are some significant spin-offs as well. Below you’ll find the history of Minecraft games, ranging from different versions of the base game to completely new titles.
Minecraft
The original classic version of Minecraft first made its debut on May 17, 2009. Initially, the game was in its experimental developmental phase, but was made public for players at this time.
Created by Markus “Notch” Persson, the original version of the game allowed players to try out Classic Mode, Survival Mode, and eventually an alpha version in 2010 on PC.
Pocket Edition
On August 16, 2011, Minecraft expanded to its first new platform outside of PC. Originally, it could only be played on the Sony Xperia Play phone. However, it was later released to other Android devices on October 8, 2011. An iOS release for Apple products followed shortly after on November 17, 2011.
Pocket Edition offered a severely limited version of the PC game, with far fewer features and smaller worlds. It was replaced in 2017 by Bedrock Edition, allowing players on mobile to connect with users on other platforms.
Java Edition
The formal release of Minecraft in its full playable form launched on PC on November 18, 2011. This included a completed 1.0 version of the game, after testing in alpha and later beta for roughly two years.
It still exists on PC and remains a popular way to play Minecraft today.
Console Edition
Minecraft arrived for home consoles for the first time on May 9, 2012 for the Xbox 360. This version was a bit behind the PC version in terms of content. It was an Xbox exclusive before releasing on December 17, 2023 for PS3.
It would eventually come to other platforms, including New Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
Minecraft Raspberry Pi version
This is a limited version of the original Minecraft that came out on February 11, 2013 for the Raspberry Pi. This uses a highly customizable format that allows the user to edit the code for the game.
Updates and content for this version stopped in 2016, but you can still download it for free.
Minecraft: Story Mode
The first true Minecraft spin-off title arrived on October 13, 2015 for consoles, PC, mobile, and eventually even Netflix. Developed by Telltale Games, this was a story-driven experience where players had the opportunity to decide the outcome of Jesse and the other characters in this point-and-click adventure.
It received eight episodes in its first season, followed by another five in Season 2.
Minecraft VR
Minecraft first arrived on VR headsets on April 27, 2016. It was originally for the Samsung Gear, but is also available on other platforms like Oculus.
Minecraft Education
Minecraft Education debuted on November 1, 2016 with a remix of the original game for specific use in schools and education systems. Featured on PC, Mac, ChromeOS, and iPad, it has various lessons and applications included with it. It can be used to help students learn coding and more in the classroom.
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition
In 2017, Mojang split up Minecraft into two versions. Java Edition remains the original version of the game, while Bedrock Edition became the de facto foundation for Minecraft‘s future. It has received consistent updates and is considered the main version at this point.
Bedrock Edition includes not just Windows 10 and 11 PCs, but also the core consoles platforms, too. This version offers cross-play and cross-save features using your shared account.
Minecraft Earth
Minecraft Earth came out in early access on October 17, 2019 and later as a full release on January 15, 2020 for Android and iOS devices. It featured gameplay similar to Pokémon Go, where players could see an augmented reality in the world around them. It used your location to convert the entire planet into a game. Players could build like in the main game, but within the virtual environment around them.
Its servers were taken offline in 2021.
Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeons reimagines the iconic block-based world as a dungeon-crawling adventure. Seen as Diablo for beginners, it is arguably the best spin-off in the franchise.
It came out on May 26, 2020 and is available on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC, and even at some arcades.
Minecraft Legends
The most recent spin-off game in the series, Minecraft Legends, released on April 18, 2023, for Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC. While it looks like the main game with its third-person perspective, it is actually a real-time action strategy game where you command familiar units in massive battles.
The best way to play Minecraft today
Currently, the original Minecraft has two active versions. The most streamlined option is Bedrock Edition, known today simply as Minecraft, for PC, modern consoles, and mobile devices. This offers a more curated selection of content, plus it’s the only version available on modern consoles.
Meanwhile the Java Edition on PC offers more flexibility with mod support. For advanced players who want to really go crazy customizing their gameplay, Java Edition brings the superior experience. Both versions of Minecraft are worth playing, so pick which one appeals to you most.
