Minecraft, the wildly popular block-based game that took the gaming world by storm, has now found its way onto the retro consoles, GameCube and Dreamcast. An indie developer, known as Meesedev, is using Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 as the foundation for their own “Minecraft-inspired” game on these classic platforms. By building a custom engine from scratch, they have managed to cram 25 million blocks into 24 MB of RAM and boost the render distance to 12 chunks on the GameCube, surpassing the render distance of Minecraft on newer consoles like Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and even matching the Switch (docked).
Development and Optimization
The developer shared on Twitter that this feat was achieved through a month of extensive optimization. This is truly a remarkable achievement considering the limitations of the hardware of the GameCube and Dreamcast compared to modern gaming consoles. The term “chunks” used in reference to the number of blocks rendered isn’t a reference to edible meat but instead Mojang’s unit of measurement for a segment of blocks. The next-gen Xbox Series and PS5 versions render around 30 chunks, making this retro demake even more impressive.
Future Plans
Meesedev has assured fans that once their game is ready for the public, all the Minecraft assets and elements will be replaced with original content. They have stated that this game will not have players punching trees with their fists, but will instead offer a unique block-based gameplay experience set in a nature-themed world. This dedication to creating a fresh and original game while using Minecraft as a stepping stone is commendable and showcases the developer’s creativity and skill.
The news of a Minecraft-inspired game being developed for the GameCube and Dreamcast is a testament to the enduring appeal and versatility of the block-based genre. Meesedev’s innovative approach to utilizing Minecraft assets as a foundation for their own game on these retro consoles is a bold and ambitious undertaking. As they continue to optimize and develop their custom engine, it will be exciting to see how this project evolves and what unique gameplay experiences it will offer to players.
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