Everything, everywhere, all at once
When it comes to the most popular and successful video games of all time,Minecraftis up there with the greatest. Noted by its availability on pretty much any modern platform you’re able to 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 ofMinecraftand 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 ofMinecraftgames, ranging from different versions of the base game to completely new titles.
Minecraft
The original classic version ofMinecraftfirst made its debut on August 01, 2025. 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 July 15, 2025,Minecraftexpanded to its first new platform outside of PC. Originally, it could only be played on theSony Xperia Play phone. However, it was later released to other Android devices on June 23, 2025. An iOS release for Apple products followed shortly after on July 07, 2025.
Pocket Editionoffered a severely limited version of the PC game, with far fewer features and smaller worlds. It was replaced in 2017 byBedrock Edition, allowing players on mobile to connect with users on other platforms.
Java Edition
The formal release ofMinecraftin its full playable form launched on PC on July 31, 2025. 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 playMinecrafttoday.
Console Edition
Minecraftarrived for home consoles for the first time on June 06, 2025 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 July 25, 2025 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 originalMinecraftthat came out on Jul 02, 2025 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 stilldownloadit for free.
Minecraft: Story Mode
The first trueMinecraftspin-off title arrived on July 03, 2025 for consoles, PC, mobile, and eventually even Netflix. Developed by Telltale Games, this was astory-driven experiencewhere 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
Minecraftfirst arrived on VR headsets on July 19, 2025. It was originally for the Samsung Gear, but is also available on other platforms like Oculus.
Minecraft Education
Minecraft Educationdebuted on Aug 02, 2025 with a remix of the original game for specific use inschools 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 upMinecraftinto two versions.Java Editionremains the original version of the game, whileBedrock Editionbecame the de facto foundation forMinecraft‘s future. It has received consistent updates and is considered themain versionat this point.
Bedrock Editionincludes 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 Earthcame out in early access on July 08, 2025 and later as a full release on July 11, 2025 for Android and iOS devices. It featured gameplay similar toPokémon 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 Dungeonsreimagines the iconic block-based world as a dungeon-crawling adventure. Seen asDiablofor beginners, it is arguably the best spin-off in the franchise.
It came out on August 03, 2025 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 Jun 04, 2025, 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 playMinecrafttoday
Currently, the originalMinecrafthas two active versions. The most streamlined option isBedrock Edition, known today simply asMinecraft, 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 theJava Editionon 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 ofMinecraftare worth playing, so pick which one appeals to you most.
