Minecraft Gave Us Flying Ghasts — and Java Players Got Screwed

It Happened, Minecraft Chase the Skies Update, another round of “Bedrock gets a party, Java gets table scraps.” Mojang just dropped the Chase the Skies update, and while it’s packed with glowing visuals, floating mounts, and chaotic charm, there’s one thing it didn’t deliver: parity.

Want the bigger picture? Check out our full hub of the Best Sandbox PC games to see where Minecraft stands today.

If you’re running Bedrock Edition, congrats, you get flying ghost mounts and lighting so vivid it’ll melt your eyeballs. Java players? You get… backend improvements. Let’s break down what’s actually in this update, what’s worth your time, and why some players are (once again) grumbling into their pixelated soup.

So, What the Hell Is This Update?

“Chase the Skies” is Mojang’s newest mini-update (released June 17, 2025) and it leans hard into verticality and visual upgrades. Lifewire has a decent overview, but let’s get real, here’s what actually matters:

• The Happy Ghast – A rideable, ghostly mount that floats through the skies like a helium balloon with issues.
• Dried Ghast – A new item used to unlock your skyfaring companion.
• Saddle Upgrades – Craftable tweaks that let you ride ghast-style.
• Vibrant Visuals (Bedrock only) – Glowing clouds, brighter textures, and color adjustments that give Bedrock Edition a serious glow-up.

It’s fun, weird, and exactly the kind of update that reminds you Minecraft isn’t afraid to get a little absurd.

The Happy Ghast: Minecraft’s Most Cursed Mount Yet

Imagine slapping a saddle on a ghost. Now imagine steering that ghost through lava-filled skies while it makes toddler tantrum noises. That’s the Happy Ghast in a nutshell.

It’s ridiculous, it’s clunky, and it’s surprisingly fun. In classic Mojang style, they’ve introduced something mechanically interesting and totally bizarre. Flight feels floaty and slightly chaotic, which, let’s be real! fits the aesthetic.

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How to Unlock and Ride the Happy Ghast

• Step 1: Find a Dried Ghast – These drop from… well, ghasts. Shocking, I know.
• Step 2: Upgrade Your Saddle – Combine the dried ghast with your regular saddle to craft a “ghast-compatible” version.
• Step 3: Tame Your Mount – Like horses, but spookier. Approach carefully and don’t smack it.
• Step 4: Take to the Skies – Hold on. It’s like flying a blimp made of anxiety.

Pro tip: Don’t try this over the Nether unless you want to respawn faster than you can say “lava bath.” For more on staying alive, check out our guide on testing your gaming PC safely.

Vibrant Visuals: Bedrock Edition’s Glow-Up

This one’s a slap in the face (unless you’re on Bedrock). Mojang introduced new lighting effects — brighter clouds, more saturated colors, and a general aesthetic polish that makes older builds look fresh again.

It’s not RTX, but it’s a major step up from the usual pixel soup. The catch? It’s exclusive to Bedrock. Java Edition got left behind, again.

Java Edition Got… Not Much

Let’s be honest: Java Edition is Mojang’s test kitchen. It’s where the weird features start before they get polished and ported to Bedrock. But with Chase the Skies, the disparity is… blatant.

• No Happy Ghast (unless you’re modding)
• No Vibrant Visuals
• No saddle upgrade system
• Backend improvements nobody asked for

The community noticed. Reddit threads, YouTube rants, and memes are already circulating. And while Mojang insists Java Edition isn’t being left behind, it’s hard to ignore the glow-up happening elsewhere. If this feels familiar, you might appreciate our no-nonsense list of games for neglected rigs.

Performance Notes: Should You Even Enable This Stuff?

For Bedrock players with mid to low-end devices, “Vibrant Visuals” could tank your FPS faster than a redstone clock loop. So before you crank everything to max, consider these tips:

• Enable only during daytime cycles – Night lighting doesn’t benefit much
• Reduce cloud opacity – Clouds are performance hogs now
• Limit fancy lighting indoors – Some interiors look blown-out

Java Edition players: You’re used to this. Stick to your OptiFine shaders and grumble in peace.

Final Thoughts: Is Minecraft Chase The Skies Update Worth It?

Honestly? It’s a decent update. It’s not “Nether Update” level, but it brings something playful to the mix — and that counts for a lot in a game that’s been around since your old graphics card was still relevant.

If you’re on Bedrock: install it, ride the ghost, glow in the dark. If you’re on Java: maybe give it a miss, or mod your way to parity.

FAQ: Minecraft Chase The Skies Update 1.21.6 in Plain English

• What’s in the Minecraft Chase the Skies update? New flying Happy Ghast mount, Vibrant Visuals lighting (Bedrock only), and minor backend changes.
• Is the Happy Ghast only for Bedrock? Yup. Java Edition doesn’t have it (unless you mod it in).
• How do I get the ghast mount? Kill ghasts for dried ghast, upgrade your saddle, tame the Happy Ghast.
• Does Vibrant Visuals slow down your PC? On lower-end machines, yes. FPS drops are common with full settings.

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Flying ghasts, genius or madness? Is Java Edition getting snubbed again? Let me know in the comments, or reach out via our Contact page if you’ve got a hot take worth sharing.