Legacy Console Edition

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

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 online, which requires a PlayStation Plus subscription (PS4 only), Xbox LIVE (requires Xbox Live Gold subscription), Nintendo Network (Wii U only), or Nintendo Switch Online (will require subscription in the future). As with all versions, updates are free of charge.

In autumn 2017, the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch Editions will no longer be available on the Microsoft Store or Nintendo eShop, and will stop receiving updates. People who own these editions will be able to download the new Bedrock Engine version of Minecraft for free, and their worlds and purchased DLC will transfer to the new version. With the Better Together Update, they will have cross-play with each other, as well as the other versions of Minecraft that use the Bedrock Engine.

Gameplay
The objective of the game remains the same as its Java Edition 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 Java Edition but with few apparent differences, but was released with the Xbox 360 Edition in an earlier version equivalent to the Java Edition Beta 1.6.6, rather than the current Java Edition version at the time of release, 1.2.5. The Wii U Edition was released with an earlier version equivalent to the Java Edition 1.6.4, rather than the current Java Edition version at the time of release, 1.8.9.

Differences from the Java Edition
Differences from Java Edition 1.12 include:


 * 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 (or even local wireless communications on Switch). The "PlayStation Vita Edition" only supports up to 2-4 players online and Ad-Hoc support.
 * The game includes an automatic crafting system where you do not have to place the blocks in the grid. However, there is an option to use the Java Edition crafting.
 * The Console Edition includes a tutorial mode not included in the Java Edition. 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.
 * The Zombie Villager sound is outdated.
 * The Player always begins a new world with an empty map.
 * For the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Vita and Wii U, the world size is limited to 864×864 blocks. Because the outer-most block is unusable on each side of the map, it is effectively 862×862 blocks that can be used. The worlds on the Nintendo Switch can be up to 3072x3072, whereas the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 can be up to 5120x5120.
 * 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 Java Edition (1:6 in Switch Edition). Consequently the Nether is limited to about 288×288 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U versions, and to about 512x512 for the Nintendo Switch. The End also uses the aforementioned sizes.
 * Skins can only be chosen from those available as default or from downloadable content.
 * Breeding and utility mob spawning works the same as the Java Edition 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.
 * 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.
 * Creative mode flying does not conserve momentum, meaning if you sprint and stop quickly, you will not drift to another block.
 * 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 Java Edition, nether wart can only spawn in nether fortresses.
 * The edge of the Nether is made of bedrock.
 * The PlayStation Vita Edition and Nintendo Switch Edition have Ad-Hoc support, like an offline multiplayer service. It can be toggled on or off (Online or Ad-Hoc), and is also similar to LAN servers but without internet connection.
 * Statistics are replaced with leaderboards, with the exception of Wii U and Nintendo Switch Edition.

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. Then, Mojang would later announce a Wii U edition, and even later a Nintendo Switch edition.
 * There is no way to modify Console Edition legitimately, but it can be cracked to do so. Notice that there is a chance for you to get banned when using mods, except on Wii U.
 * You can grab edge blocks with sticky pistons. However, it's impossible to push blocks into the edge.
 * Spiders can climb the edge of the world, as it's classed as a block.