Despite being over a decade old,Minecraftis bigger and better than it ever has been before, with a player-base that’s just continued to grow over the last 11 years. It’s no easy feat, but somehowMinecrafthas managed to not only stay relevant, but continue to grow, and a lot of that has to do with the amount of updates that have come to the game during its lifetime.Minecrafthas received almost 20 major updates since launch, with each one adding new biomes, mobs, ingredients, NPCs, and more.
But not allMinecraftupdates are equal, however. Though the major updates all add a healthy amount of content to the game, not all of them have lived up to the pre-release hype. But there are a good handful that did, and have since gone on to act as reminders of just how farMinecrafthas come since launch.
RELATED:How Minecraft Legends Expands Piglin Lore
Minecraft’s Redstone Update
One of the first major updates the Java Edition ofMinecraftreceived was titled theRedstone Update, which was launched in March 2013. It may not be the biggest update to have ever come to the game, but the Redstone Update added blocks that have since become staples of just about anyMinecraftconstruction. 14 new blocks were added with this update, including the Activator Rail, the Weighted Pressure Plate, and the Hopper, along with three new minecart variants, including the TNT variant. This update alsobrought Realms toMinecraft, which is the subscription service that allowed players to host their own private servers.
Minecraft’s Update Aquatic
Flashing forward all the way to 2018, another iconicMinecraftupdate was theUpdate Aquaticpatch, which brought a slew of new content to the game, all focusing on its oceans and underwater areas. Marking the first time a major update was released simultaneously across platforms,Update Aquaticreleased in September 2018 and brought different wooden versions of Trapdoors, Pressure Plates, and Buttons to the game, along with 10 different types of Coral block. The Trident weapon was added, alongside a Turtle Shell which could be used as a helmet. A vast array ofnew Enchantments were also added, some of which granted the player increased swimming speed, and unlimited underwater breathing. A slew of new ocean-themed mobs came along for the ride as well, as did the new Shipwreck structures, which could be scavenged for sunken treasure.
Minecraft’s Village and Pillage Update
One of the most iconic elements of earlyMinecraftwas its Villagers, but aside from trading items with the player, they had little purpose in the game overall. TheVillage and Pillageupdate set about changing that upon its release in 2019. 14 new Stairs blocks were added, along with 14 new Slabs, and 12 new Walls. The Campfire was added, which could be used as both decoration, and as a cooking appliance. Bamboo, Scaffolding, Flowers, Bells, and a whole range of new crafting tables all came with this update, as well as Dyes, a Crossbow, andnew mobs like Cats and Foxes. This update brought an unprecedented amount of content toMinecraft, making the game’s Villagers stand out even more.
Minecraft’s Nether Update
One of the more recent major updates toMinecraftwas theNether Update, which came to the game in 2020. As the name suggests, this update focused onMinecraft’s infamous Nether world, and added a staggering amount of content to that area. Brand-new mobs like Piglins, Striders, and Hoglins were introduced, along with a range of new structures like Bastion Remnants and Basalt Pillars. A total of four new biomes were added to the game, each with their own respective blocks, items, and mobs. This update even brought a fresh soundtrack to the game,composed byCeleste’s Lena Raine.
Minecraftis available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
MORE:Minecraft Legends Should Lead to New Utility Mobs for the Original Game
