| Minecraft | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | DLC & Pre-Order | Review |
Minecraft’s mechanics blend simple crafting and survival gameplay with deep exploration. Read on to learn about its release date, its target platforms, and its announcement history.
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Minecraft Release Date and Time
Full Game Released on November 18, 2011
Minecraft became available on May 17, 2009 for PC as the Java Edition, however, it remained under development until its full release on November 18, 2011. In August 16th of the same year, Pocket Edition was introduced on the Google Play Store, where it led to the creation and release of the Bedrock Edition for major consoles like Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and 3DS, Oculus, and mobile devices, on November 18, 2016.
 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
 Switch |
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| $19.99 | $29.99 | ||||
 App Store |
 Google Play |
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| Price | $6.99 | ||||
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Is Minecraft on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, Minecraft is available on Xbox Game Pass.
Is Minecraft on PS Plus?
No, Minecraft is not available on PS Plus.
Is Minecraft on Nintendo Switch Online?
No, but a NSO subscription is needed for online play.
Release Announcement History
2024
October 22
Minecraft has introduced Bundles, allowing players to store multiple item stacks in one slot for easier inventory management on the go. Additionally, Hardcore mode is now available on Realms for Java and Bedrock, letting players tackle high-stakes survival with friends.
April 10
Hardcore mode, previously exclusive to Java, has finally come to the Bedrock edition. This mode is tougher than survival, featuring permadeath—meaning players cannot revive after dying, losing all progress.
2011
Official Release
On November 18, 2011, Minecraft officially exited its development stage and was fully released to the public. After years of being in alpha and beta testing, the game was available for purchase on PC. This milestone marked the beginning of Minecraft's rise to global popularity, with players flocking to the blocky world that allowed endless creativity.
2009
Initial Release
On May 17, 2009, Minecraft's initial release took place, launching the game as a public alpha. It was initially available as a free download, giving players the chance to explore the early stages of the game's mechanics. This version of Minecraft had limited features, but it was already clear that the game’s sandbox gameplay had potential. The game quickly gained a loyal following as players were captivated by its simple yet deep world, where they could mine, build, and survive.
