Shahrukh Sial is a gaming content writer at Sparked Host. He covers game guides, tips, and updates to help players improve their skills and enjoy a better gaming experience.

Minecraft has been around for many years. It started as a small idea and slowly became one of the most popular games in the world. Over time, the game got better with new features, blocks, mobs, and updates. Still, many players love the older versions, especially the beta ones.

You might ask, why play older versions of Minecraft when the latest version is already out? Here's the deal: some people like how simple the game used to be. Others enjoy mods that only work in certain older versions. Some prefer to play Minecraft without the added features from the latest updates. It depends on your opinion and what kind of fun you're looking for.

The good news is, you can still play older versions using the Minecraft Launcher. Just go to the installations tab, pick the version you want, and jump into the world. It feels like time-traveling through Minecraft history.

Let’s take a look at the best versions from the Minecraft Beta era and why players love them.

Beta 1.0 – The First Beta Version of Minecraft

Release Date: December 20, 2010
Type: Official Release (Java Edition)

This was the first version in the Minecraft Beta phase. It made the game feel smarter, smoother, and more complete.

What Made It Cool:

Feature Why It Mattered
Server-side inventory Made multiplayer smoother and more stable.
Item tooltips Helped players see what each item was.
Bug Fixes & Improvements:
Fix What It Solved
"/kill" command Fixed crashes when using it.
Ground items healing Removed strange behavior where dropped items repaired themselves.
Capes & Deadmau5 ears Fun little features added for style.
Chunk saving Multiplayer worked better with less lag.
Why It’s a Great Version: This version made the world more stable and added some neat little features. It also set the stage for future updates. Basically, it was the first version where Minecraft felt polished.

Beta 1.3 – When Survival Mode Became Survival Mode

Release Date: February 22, 2011
Type: Official Release (Java Edition)

Beta 1.3 added features that are now core parts of the game. It made survival feel more personal and fun.

New Features That Stood Out:

Feature Why It Was Cool
Beds Let players skip the night and set spawn.
Redstone Repeaters Made redstone builds more advanced.
Smooth Lighting Improved how light looked.
World Naming & Seeds Gave more control when starting a world.
Blocks Added:

  • Bed

  • Redstone Repeater

  • Cobblestone Slab

  • Wooden Slab

  • Sandstone Slab

Important Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed slab drop issues.

  • Doors no longer blocked arrows or hooks.

  • Squids could no longer be milked.

  • Multiplayer bugs were improved.

Why It’s a Favorite Version: This update made the world feel alive. It was no longer just blocks and mobs, it had style and depth. Many who started playing Minecraft remember this as the time it truly became something special.

Beta 1.6.6 – Use This If You Love Mods

Release Date: May 31, 2011
Type: Official Release (Java Edition)

This wasn’t the flashiest update, but it became one of the most modded versions of all time. Many great mods were made for this version.

New Features:

Feature Why It Helped
Performance Settings Choose between Max FPS, Balanced, or Power Saver.
Glowstone Crafting Change Easier to build with glowstone using fewer materials.
Wool Crafting Faster wool crafting with 2x2 strings.
Gameplay Tweaks:
Block/Item What Changed
Glowstone Needed a pickaxe. Dropped 2-4 dust.
Bone Meal Could grow grass and flowers.
Boats Floated better. Didn’t crash as hard.
Bug Fixes:

  • Beds worked better in multiplayer.

  • Fixed boat glitch where players would fall through the ground.

  • Tools no longer reset when moved into chests.

Fun Fact: This was the first time Mojang joked about "Removed Herobrine" in patch notes. Also, the MinecraftEdu version and Xbox 360 version were based on this update.

Beta 1.7.3 – Great For Nostalgia

Release Date: July 8, 2011
Type: Last Version Before Adventure Update

This version is a fan favorite for its peaceful gameplay and beautiful world generation.

Why Players Love It:

Reason What Made It Special
Simplicity No hunger or sprinting. Gameplay was slower and easier.
Old Terrain Floating islands, giant cliffs, and epic caves.
Far Lands Still reachable in this version.
Great Mods Mods like Aether and Too Many Items worked best here.
Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed block and redstone duplication glitches.

  • Pistons worked better with signs and paintings.

  • Ice and powered rails behaved correctly.

  • Multiplayer bugs were improved.

Why It Stands Out: This was the last version with the old terrain generator. After this, newer versions changed how worlds looked forever. For many, this is the favorite Minecraft version ever.

Beta 1.9 – When Everything Came Together

Release Date: September 22, 2011 (Pre-release for 1.0.0)
Type: Pre-release / Official Release (Java Edition)

Beta 1.9 is often called the Adventure Update. It was basically the last version before the official release of Minecraft 1.0. It added so many important features that shaped the current version.

New Features:

Feature What It Did
The End New dimension with the Ender Dragon boss.
Enchanting Use XP to power up tools with magic.
Brewing Added potions for speed, strength, and more.
Villages Towns with villagers started to appear.
New Mobs:

  • Ender Dragon

  • Villagers

  • Blaze

  • Magma Cube

  • Mooshroom

  • Snow Golem

New Blocks & Items:

  • Nether Brick, Stairs, Fence

  • Mycelium

  • Lily Pad

  • Blaze Rod

  • Ghast Tear

  • Gold Nugget

Other Updates:

Change Why It Helped
Biomes Mushroom Islands, Tundras, and Frozen Oceans added.
Performance Game ran smoother and faster.
Jumping XP Jumping gave XP temporarily.
Mob Fixes Arrows no longer stuck to mobs.
Why It’s One of the Best Versions: This version turned Minecraft from a block-building sandbox into a full RPG adventure. It brought together everything players loved and added goals like beating the Ender Dragon.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best version of Minecraft Beta really depends on your opinion. Some prefer the first version for its simplicity. Others love the Adventure Update for how complete it feels. If you like mods, Beta 1.6.6 is a great pick. And for pure nostalgia, Beta 1.7.3 might be your favorite Minecraft version.

So, which one is the best version? That’s up to you. But all these updates show how Minecraft grew from a simple idea into something huge. The Minecraft community still remembers these versions as special moments in gaming history.

If you want to play Minecraft today, don’t forget: the Minecraft Launcher lets you install and play older versions. You can explore cool terrain, try great mods, and see how the game has changed.

No matter the version, Minecraft is still about fun, friends, building, and adventure. Whether it’s your first version or the latest release, there’s always something interesting to do.