I've listed Minecraft's best and worst moments from the last 16 years

With the official theater release of the Minecraft movie now behind us, it’s sparked a reminisce in me about some of the game’s most memorable instances since its debut.

Currently, Minecraft holds the title as the best-selling video game ever, with more than 300 million units sold worldwide, and boasting over 100 million monthly active users.

While it enjoyed considerable triumphs, Minecraft also experienced significant blunders along the way.

Here are the best and worst Minecraft moments from the last 16 years.

GOOD: Minecraft exploded into popularity thanks to the freedom it provided

Let’s go back to what started it all.

To start off, a public alpha version of Minecraft was developed by Markus “Notch” Persson in the year 2009 using Java as the programming language.

But it was only when Mojang Studios made the game public in 2011 that it soared to become an incredibly popular phenomenon, enjoyed by countless millions.

If you were there for the first blast-off, you’d understand just how thrilling and all-encompassing this remarkable year has been during its launch phase.

Videos about Minecraft on YouTube and influential figures related to Minecraft appeared rapidly, filling the web with numerous platforms where enthusiasts could interact and share thoughts on the game.

The popularity of this virtual playground primarily arose due to the extensive liberty it granted for users to explore and manipulate its digital universe at their leisure.

Additionally, it struck a chord with many diverse individuals, offering them an opportunity to play either cooperatively or individually – a mode of gaming experience that was relatively uncommon back then.

GOOD: In-person MineCon allowed fans to come together each year

The enormous popularity of Minecraft led to the establishment of an annual, face-to-face gathering known as MineCon, which commenced in the year 2010.

For many years, this event has been held in various global cities, consistently drawing vast crowds of enthusiasts.

At these events, there were massive displays of Minecraft exhibitions featuring game characters, merchandise, key presentations about the game, as well as new game unveilings, among other things.

In short, it was a Minecraft fan’s dream to attend.

Instead, MineCon as a physical gathering has come to an end. Since 2017, it has transformed into the digital Minecraft Live event, which remains thrilling but lacks the charm of the in-person experience.

GOOD: LEGO Minecraft and other merchandise brought the game to the real world

2012 marked the debut of Minecraft merchandise, offering fans a physical means to express their affection for the popular game.

As a researcher delving into the realm of digital and physical construction toys, I’ve often found myself drawing parallels between Minecraft and LEGO. So, you can imagine my excitement when the official release of LEGO Minecraft sets happened back in 2012 – a significant milestone indeed!

This partnership has proved to be very lucrative, with new LEGO Minecraft sets releasing each year.

Currently, an abundance of Minecraft-themed items such as jackets like Phil Spencer’s, action figures, bags, dishware, a Creeper Mini Fridge, and virtually anything else you can imagine, are readily available for purchase.

Absolutely, as the anticipation for a Minecraft Movie built up, so did the launch of official merchandise related to the film. Whether this is seen as a positive or negative move depends largely on individual perspectives.

Previously, our team member Jennifer Young discussed how certain merchandise related to movies can be genuinely terrifying, a point that seems hard to dispute.

GOOD: Microsoft acquired Minecraft and helped it grow

2014 saw a shocking move from Microsoft when they announced their purchase of Mojang Studios and Minecraft at a staggering $2.5 billion price tag, leaving many people in awe.

A reminder: This event transpired approximately ten years prior to when Microsoft and Xbox significantly expanded their gaming studio acquisitions.

After that acquisition, the Minecraft brand under Microsoft has been continuously enhanced through numerous updates and offshoots, ensuring its continued relevance and appeal.

It’d be great if we could get Minecraft updates more frequently, but the fact remains that Minecraft continues to flourish even after all these years.

GOOD: Bedrock Edition brought crossplay to Windows and consoles

Initially known as Minecraft: Pocket Edition, the Minecock Bedrock Edition started its development journey back in 2011. It wasn’t until 2016 that it was finally released to the public.

With this new version, even more individuals can now share the fun of Minecraft multiplayer as it enables cross-platform gaming on Windows 10, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

Although both Bedrock (Minecraft) and Java versions of Minecraft provided similar core gameplay, they had distinct mechanics and unique aspects that set them apart from one another.

Over the years, there has been much discussion and disagreement about which version between Bedrock and Java edition is superior.

Nevertheless, since its initial release, Bedrock Edition has undergone numerous updates, making it increasingly alike to Java Edition compared to its early stages.

It’s quite amazing that both variations are still available today, neither having been discontinued, allowing you to pick the one you like best.

BAD: Official Minecraft VR wasn’t great

There was much anticipation among many when it was announced that Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) would be available in VR. However, the reality of using it often left users feeling unwell due to motion-induced nausea.

Eventually, the Virtual Reality (VR) compatibility for Minecraft was discontinued, effectively terminating support for all VR/Mixed Reality (MR) equipment.

Currently, a popular VR mod called Vivecraft offers an enhanced gaming experience that numerous players find appealing. At least, this mod provides a more pleasing alternative.

BAD: A rash of failed Minecraft spin-offs

Over time, as a tech enthusiast, I’ve witnessed various spin-off attempts from Microsoft and Mojang Studios. These include:

Minecraft: Story Mode (2015-2017)
Minecraft Earth (2019-2021)
Minecraft Dungeons (2020)
Minecraft Legends (2023)

From among all the spin-offs, it’s only one that has achieved success. The others have received negative criticism in reviews, and their backing has largely dwindled for many of them.

GOOD: Minecraft Dungeons was a fun and successful spin-off

Among the various spin-offs from Minecraft, it’s Minecraft Dungeons that has seen the greatest success, amassing over 25 million players.

Instead of being an open-world sandbox experience, it is a linear action role-playing game (ARPG) that primarily revolves around a main storyline.

In our assessment, we discussed its ability to offer genuinely engaging battles, all the while delivering consistently satisfying rewards.

BAD turned GOOD: Minecraft is finally getting updated visuals

At E3 2017, it was revealed that the Super Duper Graphics Pack was planned for Minecraft Bedrock Edition; however, this enhancement unfortunately did not get released.

It was eventually cancelled in 2019 due to performance issues.

Following numerous long years of anticipation, Mojang Studios unveiled their plans for a major overhaul in the graphics of Minecraft.

In simpler terms, the upcoming enhancement for Minecraft’s graphics will provide better lighting and shadow effects on compatible devices over the next few months.

Hopefully, we won’t have long to wait.

UNDECIDED: A Minecraft Movie released, starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa

Recently, there have been numerous films and series based on video games that have performed exceptionally well, surpassing my initial expectations in terms of faithfulness to the source material.

Currently, a new Minecraft film has hit the screens, but it’s receiving mixed feedback from critics. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone aligns with the opinions of professional reviewers.

As a researcher, I’ve consistently noticed a recurring feedback about the film featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa: it seems to be primarily tailored for a young audience, rather than catering to the diverse demographic that enjoys the associated video game.

Let’s wait and watch if the film performs well during the upcoming days. I’m eager to hear my 10-year-old nephew’s opinion on it.

Even if the plot isn’t the best, if it still provides a run ride overall, it could be good.

Without a doubt, if it appeals to kids, it’s likely to succeed, regardless of whether it aligns with certain adults’ expectations.

Minecraft has crafted quite a legacy and it’s still going

So far, Minecraft’s history has been quite extraordinary, beginning with its swift ascent that sparked the devotion of countless dedicated enthusiasts.

Despite consistently holding the title as the highest-grossing game ever, there’s no question that it has experienced its fair share of highs and lows throughout the years.

Here’s hoping that Mojang Studios and their fanbase experience countless more thrilling Minecraft adventures in the upcoming years!

Did I miss any moments that were worth mentioning? Tell us about it in the comments.

2025-04-04 22:40

I’ve listed Minecraft’s best and worst moments from the last 16 years — Do you know them all?