Minecraft review
Build, explore and survive in a world made of blocks
- Mojang Studios
- Paid
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Windows, Mac
4.5 from 845.2K App Store ratings 100M+ Google Play downloads #1 in Paid Games on the US App Store
Does it deserve #2?
Is Minecraft worth it?
Yes. Minecraft scores 8.9/10 and ranks #2 in Casual & Party Games. It's best for builders, explorers and families who want one game everyone can share. Skip it if you want clear goals and a story pushing you forward. Price: $6.99 once; Marketplace add-ons and Realms servers cost extra.
The verdict
Minecraft is still the first game most people think of when they want to build something. Survival mode has you gathering, crafting and hiding from creepers at night, while Creative hands you unlimited blocks to make anything. The phone version plays with friends on consoles and Windows, and the September 2026 Wilderness Bound drop added a new autumn forest. You pay once, though the Marketplace is never far away.
- Survival and Creative modes
- Cross-play with consoles and Windows
- Free seasonal game drops
- Marketplace worlds and skins
- Realms private servers
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026Wilderness Bound drop adds the autumn Dappled Forest biome, Abandoned Camps and straw beds
- Sep 2026Poplar wood, cushions to sit on, and wool and concrete stairs and slabs in 16 colors
- Jun 2026Chaos Cubed drop added Sulfur, Cinnabar and the Sulfur Cube
Privacy 7.4/10
App Store label: purchase history is used to track you. Purchases, user and device IDs, usage and performance data are linked to you; crash data isn't.
What we like
- Near-limitless freedom to build and explore
- Free content drops several times a year
- Cross-play with friends on other devices
What could be better
- Marketplace and Realms add ongoing costs
- Purchase history is used for tracking
Builders, explorers and families who want one game everyone can share
you want clear goals and a story pushing you forward
Questions about Minecraft
Is Minecraft worth it in 2026?
Yes. Minecraft scores 8.9/10 and ranks #2 in Casual & Party Games. It's best for builders, explorers and families who want one game everyone can share. Skip it if you want clear goals and a story pushing you forward. Price: $6.99 once; Marketplace add-ons and Realms servers cost extra.
Is Minecraft free on mobile?
No. It's a one-time $6.99 purchase on iOS and Android, with Marketplace content and Realms servers as optional extras.
Can you play Minecraft offline?
Yes. Single-player worlds are stored on your device and play offline once you've signed in at least once, but online multiplayer needs a connection.
Is Minecraft OK for kids?
The App Store rates it 9+ and Google Play rates it Everyone 10+. Online play includes chat, so parents may want to check the multiplayer settings.
What are the best alternatives to Minecraft?
The closest alternatives are Terraria, Roblox and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. See all of them ranked on our Minecraft alternatives page.
Where does Minecraft rank?
Minecraft ranks #2 of 8 in our Casual & Party Games ranking, with an overall score of 8.9 out of 10.