Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteMinecraft Java Edition 1.8, known as The Bountiful Update, was released on September 2, 2014. It added Ocean Monuments and their Guardians, Prismarine and Sea Lanterns, along with Slime Blocks, banners, armor stands, rabbits, and spectator mode.
What does “Minecraft 1.8” refer to?
This article is about Minecraft: Java Edition 1.8, not every Minecraft release or platform version that may use the number 1.8. Java Edition is the version associated with Windows, Mac, and Linux in an older official platform comparison; that comparison is not current compatibility guidance. The platform comparison describes Java cross-play among those computer platforms, but does not establish that similarly numbered releases on other editions share the same features.
The name and date are consistent across a September 2, 2014 community-hosted release announcement and a version-history listing: Java Edition 1.8 was called The Bountiful Update and went live that day. The announcement identifies itself as unaffiliated with Mojang or Microsoft, so it is best treated as a historical community notice rather than an official current source. Read the announcement; see the version-history listing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Ultimate Collection | Windows Digital Code | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital Code | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Minecraft | $6.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Minecraft - Bedrock Edition PS4 | $42.98 | Buy on Amazon |
What did the Bountiful Update add?
Underwater exploration and building
Ocean Monuments were the update’s most recognizable exploration addition. Guardians spawn at the monuments, with Elder Guardians as a larger, boss-like variant. Prismarine-related blocks and Sea Lanterns gave players new materials and lighting for underwater builds. The archived 1.8 notes describe these monument and mob details.
Construction and player customization
Slime Blocks enabled piston-based movement and contraptions. Banners and armor stands expanded decoration and display options, while the update introduced Alex as a new player model and skin.
Creatures and food
Rabbits were added, as were mutton and cooked mutton. These additions brought new animals and food items into the game.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Modes, world creation, and technical changes
Spectator mode and a Customized world type were among the update’s broader gameplay and world-generation additions. The release announcement also listed changes to enchanting, villager crop behavior, performance, render distance, commands, and resource-pack models. It was therefore more than an underwater-content update, even though the monuments are its most visible hallmark.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why might players look for version 1.8?
Its historical feature set can matter to someone reading an older guide, revisiting a world, or encountering a server that specifies this version. The number alone is not enough to identify a release across Minecraft editions: check the edition and version track named by the world, guide, or server before assuming its features match Java Edition 1.8.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
The sources cited here establish the historical release and its features, but not current launcher steps for selecting or running it. They also do not provide a complete cross-platform changelog, so this article does not claim that other platforms’ releases labeled 1.8 were identical.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Play and share with friends on console, mobile and Windows 10
- discover community creations in the new in-game store
- access new mini games and game modes through servers
Rank #4
- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
Rank #3
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
