Legacy Console Edition

Console Edition refers to the console versions of Minecraft developed by 4J Studios. It is available on:
 * Xbox 360
 * PlayStation 3

The Console Edition is also planned for release on:
 * Xbox One
 * PlayStation 4

The Console Edition introduces new features such as a simpler crafting system, in-game tutorials, and split-screen multiplayer (excluding Vita), as well as online multiplayer for up to eight players over PSN or Xbox LIVE (requires Xbox Live Gold membership). As with all games, updates are free of charge.

Gameplay
The objective of the game remains the same as its original computer and Pocket Edition counterparts, where players can build virtual realities in a sandbox-like environment. There is no preset goal; the player may choose to set their own goals.

For the most part, the Console Edition of the game is almost identical to the PC edition but with few apparent differences, but was released with Xbox 360 Edition in an earlier version equivalent to the PC version Beta 1.6.6, than the current PC version at the time of release, 1.2.5.

Differences from PC edition
Differences from PC version 1.3.1 include:


 * The Console Edition doesn't make use of the standard crafting interface as in the original version, but still has similarities to the PC's 2×2 and 3×3 crafting grids. The interface doesn't require the Player to place items in the correct place in a crafting menu, but simply shows the blocks required to craft the selected item, and crafts it if the Player has enough blocks.
 * The game features splitscreen functionality, however an HDTV with a Component or HDMI cable is required for split-screen play. Split-screen functionality works with a VGA connection to a PC monitor as well as HDMI-to-DVI cables to a PC monitor. Up to 4 players can play in split screen*, as well as the possibility to play 8-person online multiplayer game modes in split-screen.
 * The Console Edition includes a tutorial mode not included in the PC version of the game. This tutorial leads the player through the basics of digging and placing blocks, crafting, as well as building their first house to survive the night, fishing, enchanting, brewing, and more. (video)
 * The world's difficulty cannot be changed while in game. It can however be changed when selecting the world to play in.
 * Most blocks/items use outdated sounds.
 * The Player always begin a new world with a map.
 * Each world is limited to 864x864 blocks. Because the outer-most block is unusable on each side of the map, it is effectively 862x862 blocks that can be used. The Xbox One Edition and PlayStation 4 Edition will have bigger worlds. It is expected, but unknown if the world size will be increased along with the updates that will bring the Console Edition up to date with the PC version. The PC uses virtual memory which allows to swap chunks in and out of memory, drastically increasing the size of the map. Since not all 360's and PS3's ship with hard drives these two consoles support limited worlds only.
 * The Nether is limited in size and because of this the movement distance in the Nether vs. the Overworld is 1:3 versus 1:8 in the PC version. Consequently the Nether is limited to about 288x288. The End also uses the aforementioned size.
 * Skins can only be chosen from those available as default or from downloadable content.
 * Breeding and utility mob spawning works the same as the PC version with the exception of limiting tamed wolf and snow golem populations to 16. If the player attempts to tame or breed a 17th Wolf, it will be killed by other wolves, and if a player attempts to build a 17th Snow Golem, upon placing the pumpkin all three blocks will break, dropping one pumpkin and eight snowballs.  Also, wolf pups are born with full health and reach adulthood without player input.
 * Snow golems attack Creepers. It is advised to take caution when using snow golem sentries near your structures as creepers can do damage to both the snow golems and nearby structures when exploded.
 * The edge of the world cannot be mined and is completely sea. The edge of the map is a strip of water surrounding the map followed by an invisible barrier in which all players cannot gain access to. This can cause problems as sometimes chests in abandoned mineshafts generate at the edge of the map, causing the player to make and place a new chest next to said chest in order to access all the previously inaccessible items.
 * In Creative mode, players can sprint while flying (although this, to some extent is possible in the PC edition—if the player starts sprinting, then flies, he can "sprint-fly").
 * When in creative mode, if you sprint and stop quickly, you will not drift another block.
 * A latch cannot be created by combining two redstone repeaters: The second repeater, pointing into the left or right side of the first, does not provide the latch functionality as in the PC version.
 * The Ender Dragon has a different fighting style and when at low health will hover above the ground spewing out acid.
 * Two Ender Cystals in the End are protected by iron bars.
 * When building a portal to the Nether in a superflat world, the Nether will also be flat.
 * Nether Wart randomly spawns on Soul Sand in the Nether, while in the PC version, Nether Wart can only spawn in Nether Fortresses.
 * The edge of the Nether is made of bedrock.

Trivia

 * 4J Studios, the company making the Minecraft port for consoles, also made several other video game ports, namely Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie, and Perfect Dark for XBLA as well as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PS3.
 * Notch stated that the Xbox 360 would be the sole console provider of Minecraft. However, Sony later annnounced that there would be versions for the PS3, PS4, and Vita released.
 * There is no way to modify Console Edition legitimately, but it can be cracked to do so. It must be noticed that there is a chance to be banned when using mods.