Topic: A Question About Minecraft PlayStation 4 Edition

I've been looking into (depending on the answer to my question) eventually buying a used physical copy of Minecraft PlayStation 4 Edition, the one that isn't available on the Playstation Store anymore, and that got replaced by the universal Bedrock version back in the late 2010s.

My reasoning is this: I love Minecraft. I don't have it yet (shocker!), but I have played it at a friend's house on their PS4 and want to play it on my own. But I specifically want a version of Minecraft that I can just play offline without getting any update prompts (Minecraft PlayStation 4 Edition hasn't been updated since the latest 2010s) or creating a Microsoft Account. If I wanted to create a Microsoft Account, I would just play Minecraft on PC.

I can't find any answer to this question on the internet: if I bought a used physical copy of the 2014 Minecraft PS4 Edition, will I be able to play it completely offline, with zero update prompts and zero Microsoft Account prompts? Will updating it to its latest version from 2019 make it get Microsoft Account prompts?

@Nep-Nep-Freak According to this Reddit discussion from a couple years ago (which is asking the same question about accessing the pre-Bedrock version of the game) it's weirdly not guaranteed. Some people say it'll work, others say it doesn't. However, best as I can tell, it seems like some of the confusion stems from folks who have already played Minecraft before, or have tried to revert back after playing the Bedrock version online (which might have placed a flag on their PSN account).

While I agree with you, it should be what you're looking for if you install a disc copy on a PS4 which isn't connected to the internet, looks like the only way you're gonna find out is to try it and see. Make sure your PS4 is offline and that automatic updates are disabled beforehand.

Google AI Overview returns the following response, hope it helps:

"Yes, you can play the original Minecraft: PS4 Edition (Legacy) offline with no prompts, but you must install it while offline, disable auto-updates, and avoid ever launching it online after that, as any update turns it into the Bedrock Edition which requires a Microsoft Account for features. The key is to keep it offline to remain on the Legacy version, preventing the Bedrock transition and its associated prompts.

Here's how to achieve offline play:

Disable Internet (Crucial First Step): Before inserting the disc or starting installation, disconnect your PS4 from the internet (Wi-Fi and Ethernet).

Install From Disc: Insert the used PS4 Edition disc and install the game while the console is offline.

Turn Off Auto-Updates: In your PS4's System Settings, find the 'Automatic Downloads' section and disable 'Automatic Updates' for applications.

Launch Offline: Start the game. Since you're offline, it should launch as the original Legacy Edition.

Never Update: Do not select "Check for Update" from the game's options menu.
Optional: Set as Primary: Setting the console as primary for the PSN account used for initial authentication can help with licensing, but staying offline is the main goal to avoid Bedrock prompts.

Why this works: The original "PS4 Edition" disc contains the Legacy Console version. If you connect online, it automatically updates to the Bedrock Edition, which integrates with Microsoft accounts for cross-play and features, triggering those prompts. Staying offline keeps you on the disconnected, self-contained Legacy version."

Thanks for the help. I do already have automatic updates disabled for both the console and games. But if I have to turn off wifi every time I want to play... darn it. So much freaking hassle. I may end up just giving up on the idea.