Recent ESRB and USK ratings suggest a native Xbox Series X/S version of Minecraft could be in the works. The current Xbox One version remains playable on the newer consoles through backwards compatibility.
Microsoft’s iconic sandbox game, Minecraft, could soon receive a native version for the Xbox Series X/S consoles. New evidence has surfaced following the game’s recent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings in the United States.
The ESRB, a major video game rating organization in the U.S., recently updated its rating for Minecraft, specifically for the Xbox Series X/S. Last month, the game was also rated by Germany’s USK. The twin classifications add weight to the speculation that a native Xbox Series X/S version is imminent.
Currently, Xbox Series X/S users can play the Xbox One version of Minecraft through backwards compatibility. While this offers a seamless gaming experience, a native version could provide enhancements such as better graphics and faster load times.
Microsoft has been teasing ray tracing support for Xbox Series consoles since before their launch in 2020. Last March, developer Mojang accidentally included prototype code for ray tracing support in a preview build for Xbox Insiders before swiftly removing it. A native Xbox Series version could finally bring this feature to fruition.
Xbox’s Phil Spencer confirmed last month that Microsoft aims to release the same titles across both Xbox Series X and S consoles, thus ensuring no title will be left behind due to technical limitations.
While Microsoft has yet to officially announce a native Xbox Series X/S version of Minecraft, the recent ESRB and USK ratings are promising. With potential features like ray tracing, a native release could significantly elevate the Minecraft experience on the next-gen consoles.
