Minecraft 1.20 release date and everything included in Trails and Tales

If you're wondering when Minecraft 1.20 is coming out, we've rounded up everything you need to know right here including the release date and new features.

Minecraft has been one of the biggest games on the planet for well over 10 years now, and its continued success is owed to the large updates it receives.

The next big update was revealed back in 2022 and will be titled 'Trails and Tales', but you may wonder when it's set to release, and what kind of features it will add to the sandbox game. So, check out our breakdown of Minecraft 1.20 and learn everything you need to know.

• Why not also check out our roundup of the Minecraft Dungeons and Dragons DLC?

Minecraft 1.20 release date

Minecraft 1.20 was released on June 7, 2023, which means you can enjoy all of the new features right now.

The previous four Minecraft updates were all released in June of the year after they were announced, so it makes sense that Mojang stuck to the same timeline and released the Trails and Tales update in June 2023.

• We also cover the best mouse for Minecraft in 2023, if you're looking to upgrade your peripherals. 

Minecraft 1.20 expected features

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Many of the new features coming in Minecraft 1.20 have been teased and announced already, so we know what kind of content to expect in the upcoming update. That doesn't mean everything has been revealed though, and we expect more surprises as the update gets closer to its launch. 

Here's a list of the features:

• Cherry blossom biome
• Camels
• Sniffer mob
• Archaeology
• Hanging signs
• Playable mob heads
• Chiselled bookshelves
• Bamboo crafting
• Armour trims

We'll also expand on a number of these features in more detail below.

Cherry blossom biome

This is one of the largest aspects of the net update, bringing a whole new biome to the game. This also sees the introduction of a new wood type, which is likely to be very different from any previous wooden block. 

We don't know if the biome has any unique resources, animals, or block types (with exception to the ones mentioned above) but it's likely to come with some surprises for long-time players. 

Archaeology

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Nearly three years after its announcement, Archaeology will finally be coming to the game. This feature will see dig sites added near desert temples, allowing you to dig around and find unique sand blocks that hide the secrets of the past.

We don't know what exactly you can find hidden away, but we assume it will be rare resources or maybe some new ones. 

• Make sure you also check our explainer of Minecraft Villager jobs and how they work. 

Bamboo blocks

Bamboo has been in Minecraft for a while, but it had limited uses that made it fairly pointless beyond feeding pandas.

However, a new bamboo block has been added, letting you use the resource to craft wooden items like stairs, doors, slabs, and more. Bamboo can also be used to create the new raft item, which is essentially a boat with aesthetic differences.

Camels

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The newest mob confirmed to be joining Minecraft Trails and Tales is the camel, who can be found wandering the barren desert biomes. On top of them being new set dressing, they provide another way for players to travel around, as you tame and ride them like horses. 

Chiselled Bookshelf

Another new block in the game is the chiselled bookshelf. This differs from the standard bookshelf, as you can now place books inside of them, rather than just using them as aesthetic blocks.

The possibilities here are also endless, as you can make secret doors by connecting redstone to your chiselled bookshelves, meaning adding or removing a book can trigger the contraption. 

Hanging signs

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Signs could only previously be placed on walls or the ground, but with the new update you can finally hang them directly from a ceiling or arch. You can also push this further and hang the hanging signs from hanging signs. We assume players will find a tonne of creative ways to use this new feature, likely in ways that Mojang never even considered. 

• Want to know how to make Terracotta in Minecraft? Here's the full process for how to do it. 

Armour trims

If you're not a fan of the standard Minecraft armours, they just got a little more fancy, as you can now add trims to accentuate the edges with a different colour block. This will require you to find detailed smithing templates, so it's not an easy thing you can do the second you get enough resources to craft armour, but it means players will have more end-game goals to look toward in Survival. 

Sniffer

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The Sniffer is a weird-looking mob set to be added in the Minecraft 1.20 update after it won a vote for being the next mob at Minecraft Live 2022. You won't find this creature roaming around though, as it's actually extinct when you begin playing. However, you find its eggs and hatch them to bring the Sniffer back to life. 

Playable mob heads

This is a small feature that lets you play the ambient sounds a mob makes by sticking their head on top of a note block. You can use them to scare friends or make weird music, the choice is all yours. 

That's all for our coverage of Minecraft 1.20, and everything you need to know about the experience. 

If you need some design help, check out the best Minecraft house ideas and how to execute them.