Cross-platform play available on Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and Windows 10. Cross-play requires Microsoft account. Xbox Live Gold required for online multiplayer on Xbox One. PlayStation Plus Membership required for online multiplayer on Playstation 4. Two versions of Minecraft support mod. That is, since the appearance of Java version from 2010, there are more mods available in the first version compared with the 2015 Windows 10 version. Objectively speaking, the quality of Java mode is higher than the standard of Minecraft Windows 10 mods.
Minecraft is available on most platforms including PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Pocket Edition (PE), Java Edition (PC/Mac), Windows 10, Wii U, Nintendo Switch and Education Edition. Minecraft continues to release updates that add new blocks, items and mobs to the game. Find out what's new in your version of Minecraft.
Here is the version history for Minecraft on some of the more popular platforms.
Platform Version Status
Java Edition (PC/Mac) Platform
The PC/Mac platform (later renamed to the Java Edition in 1.12.2) was the first released by Mojang for the Personal Computer (PC) and Mac. It has the most complete list of features which includes game commands and cheats that are not available on other platforms. It was the first version that allowed you to program command blocks to build intricate structures or perform complex tasks. The Java Edition typically receives new features before other platforms.
This edition is designed to be controlled primarily by keyboard and mouse.
Change Minecraft Version Windows 10 App
Xbox 360 vs Xbox One Platform
Minecraft for the Xbox 360 was released in 2012 and was the first console version of the game. Due to the hardware limitations of the Xbox 360, worlds were restricted in size. The Xbox One platform was later released in 2014. The improved hardware of the Xbox One allowed worlds to be much larger in size.
The Xbox 360 and Xbox One console editions have been designed to use the standard Xbox controllers rather than keyboard and mouse.
The available blocks, items and mobs within both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One have basically caught up now to the Java Edition version.
PS3 vs PS4 Platform
Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In 2013, Minecraft was released on the PS3 and was the second console version of the game. Due to the hardware limitations of the PS3, worlds were restricted in size. The PS4 platform was later released in 2014. The improved hardware of the PS4 allowed worlds to be much larger in size.
The PS3 and PS4 console editions have been designed to use the standard PS controllers.
The available blocks, items and mobs within both the PS3 and PS4 have basically caught up now to the Java Edition version.
Pocket Edition
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) version was the first version to be released for mobile devices. It was designed to take advantage of the touch interface on mobile devices. Initially, features were very limited. As new updates are released, additional items, blocks and mobs have been added.
Windows 10 Platform
The Windows 10 edition of Minecraft was released in 2015 and is now compatible with Pocket Edition and Xbox One allowing users to cross platform play.
Originally, Minecraft for Windows 10 had fewer features than the Java Edition as it had to remain compatible with the Windows 10 mobile devices. It is now basically caught up to the Java Edition version.
Wii U Edition
In 2015, Minecraft was released on the Wii U. This version is designed to use the Wii U Gamepad and the Pro Controllers, however, with the Patch 4 release you could now play with the Wii Classic Controllers.
The available blocks, items and mobs have basically caught up now to the Java Edition version.
Nintendo Switch Edition
On May 11, 2017, Minecraft was released on the Nintendo Switch. This version is designed to use the new Nintendo Switch Controllers.
The blocks, items and mobs available in this version of Minecraft are comparable to those in the other console editions such as PS, Xbox and Wii U.
Education Edition
In 2016, an educational version of Minecraft was released called Minecraft Education Edition. It is available to teachers and students for classroom use.
This edition is designed to be controlled primarily by keyboard and mouse.
As of February 1, 2017, the official 1.0 version of Minecraft Education was released which comes with a full complement of blocks, items, mobs and game commands.
Final Thoughts
With each release, Minecraft is bringing all of the platforms to the same feature-set. If there isn't a block, item or mob in your version of Minecraft yet, chances are, it will be added very soon.
