Minecraft Classic brings the original 2009 version to web browsers, for free

It's been ten years since the first public version of Minecraft released on the TIGSource forums, and a lot has happened since then: Microsoft owns it, 74 million people play it monthly, and there's even a film adaptation in the offing. It's original creator, Markus "Notch" Persson, has been scrubbed from its credits.

Unlike say, World of Warcraft, Minecraft has received ongoing additions and improvements rather than huge fundamental changes, so it's hard to feel nostalgic for its past. But in case you do, the very first public build of Minecraft is now available to play. Best of all it's free, and you can do it right now in your web browser.

It comes courtesy of Mojang, who will celebrate the ten year milestone on May 17 (the official commercial version of Minecraft didn't release until 2011). You'll immediately notice the simplicity of the procedural generation, as well as the miserly 32 blocks to choose from. Oh, and the interface sucks. But it's an interesting historical keepsake.

The studio has also encouraged users to Tweet their favourite Minecraft memories using the hashtag #MineCraftMemories. You might even end up being featured on the Minecraft website.

Check out our list of the best Minecraft seeds and Minecraft mods if you're still playing the full version. Also see our handy Minecraft update log for everything new in the game.

Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.