Minecraft’s Chase the Skies game drop was released on 17 June 2025 for both Java and Bedrock Edition. It is version 1.21.6 on Java and 1.21.90 on Bedrock. The update adds the Happy Ghast, a multiplayer Player Locator Bar, expanded lead and saddle features, and new music; Bedrock also received the separate Vibrant Visuals graphics option on compatible devices.
When did Chase the Skies come out?
Mojang Studios released Chase the Skies on 17 June 2025. The official launch announcement confirms availability for both editions. The corresponding release notes identify the update as Java Edition 1.21.6 and Bedrock Edition 1.21.90.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Minecraft: Switch Edition | $32.65 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $29.88 | Buy on Amazon |
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Minecraft Legends Deluxe Edition | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $34.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| Edition | Chase the Skies version | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Java Edition | 1.21.6 | 17 June 2025, according to Mojang’s launch announcement and release notes |
| Bedrock Edition | 1.21.90 | 17 June 2025, according to Mojang’s launch announcement and release notes |
What does the update add?
Happy Ghast flying mount
The headline addition is the Happy Ghast, a flying mount that players can raise through three stages: dried ghast, ghastling, then adult Happy Ghast. The launch guide explains how to equip the adult with a dyeable harness. The original Chase the Skies announcement says dried ghast blocks can be found near Nether fossil structures, obtained through piglin bartering, or crafted from ghast tears and soul sand.
Player Locator Bar for multiplayer
A new HUD bar helps players locate other players in multiplayer worlds. According to Minecraft’s announcement, crouching keeps a player from being detected by the bar. It is a navigation aid for finding other people, rather than a change to the game’s single-player experience.
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#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
More flexible leads and craftable saddles
The drop expands leashing so players can connect multiple mobs and some entities. Saddles are now craftable; shears can remove saddles and separate selected leads from a knot, as described in the official announcement and Java release notes.
New music
The update adds the music disc “Tears” by Amos Roddy and five more tracks by the composer: “Lilypad,” “Below and Above,” “O’s Piano,” “Broken Clocks,” and “Fireflies.” The Java release notes and announcement list the tracks.
Rank #2
- Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
Is Vibrant Visuals part of Chase the Skies on Java?
Chase the Skies itself is available on both Java and Bedrock. Vibrant Visuals is a separate graphics refresh that launched for compatible Bedrock devices; Minecraft says it does not change gameplay. The launch announcement’s list includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, and PC, subject to platform-specific minimum requirements. Check Minecraft’s current Vibrant Visuals compatibility information for device support, which may change over time.
Do not confuse the Bedrock graphics feature with the game drop’s edition availability: Java received Chase the Skies as version 1.21.6. The earlier preview announcement described Java support for Vibrant Visuals as planned for the future; that preview-era statement does not establish current Java availability for the graphics feature.
Rank #3
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
- Vibrant Visuals does not support local split-screen while active, according to Minecraft’s launch announcement.
- Some Marketplace worlds and texture packs were not compatible when the feature launched.
- Compatibility depends on device requirements, so edition alone does not determine whether Vibrant Visuals is available.
Playing Chase the Skies with friends
The Player Locator Bar and Happy Ghast make multiplayer navigation a prominent part of the drop. Minecraft also promotes Realms as an optional way to play with friends, but a Realms subscription is not presented as a requirement for the update; the release is available in both editions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
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