When Microsoft acquired Minecraft creator Mojang, one of the first questions on everyone’s mind was “would the game come to Windows Phone now?” The answer, of course, was yes, and now we have the result with Minecraft: Pocket Edition hitting Windows Phone 8.1 today on the Windows Phone Store. An important note is that this is the Pocket Edition of the game, meaning it is the same as the versions found on iOS and Android. Unlike other versions, including the one for PS Vita, Minecraft: Pocket Edition is a separate version of the game, with many features removed due to hardware limitations.
There’s never been a better time to enjoy Minecraft on the move.
With that said, there is still a lot to see and do in Minecraft: Pocket Edition, such as “Survival and Creative modes, multiplayer over a local Wi-Fi network, infinite worlds, caves, new biomes, mobs, villages and lots more”. Currently the game is available for a price of $6.99, which is in line with the iOS and Android editions. The download size is pretty small, only requiring 13 MB of space.
In its current form, there is nothing to make the Windows Phone version of Minecraft stand out, but with Microsoft now owning the IP it could start getting exclusive features later on. Xbox Live integration along with Achievements would be especially nice, and could push a few die-hard Minecraft fans onto Windows Phone. However, Microsoft has been good about keeping all versions of the game in-sync, even on competitor’s consoles. As has been the case since the acquisition, we’ll have to wait and see if anything new develops.
