It has been over half a decade since Mojang first handed the reins to players and let them choose which biomes would get a major facelift. The 2018 and 2019 Minecraft biome votes were thrilling, emotional, and — for the losing biomes — a promise left floating in the wind. Taiga got foxes and campfires. Mountains rose to new heights with goats and powder snow. But the rest? The losing biomes were told they’d all come “eventually.” As 2026 rolls on, that eventually still hasn’t materialized in a full biome update, even though some of their ideas have trickled into the game in other forms. Players who remember those voting days still wonder: which of the forgotten losers actually brings the best ideas to the table? And could Mojang finally package them all into one massive desert-and-savanna-themed update?

The three biomes that lost out — Badlands, Savanna, and Desert — are all warm, dry landscapes, which makes you think they could easily debut together in a single update. But when you compare the promised features side by side, the pecking order becomes clear. Some of these hypothetical changes feel almost essential, while others are more of a neat garnish. Let’s dig into what each biome was supposed to get and how those plans stack up today.

Badlands: Vultures, Tumbleweeds, and a Few New Plants

The Badlands (formerly known as Mesa) is one of Minecraft’s rarest and weirdest biomes. It’s striking with its banded terracotta, red sand, and exposed gold ore, but beyond that, it’s an empty stage. During the 2019 biome vote, the proposed Badlands update pulled in less than 15% of the total vote — not exactly a ringing endorsement. But the ideas, while simple, had a certain charm.

The star of the show would’ve been the vulture, Minecraft’s first truly flying bird mob (sorry, parrots and phantoms don’t count). Vultures would circle above dropped items left behind after a player dies, adding a touch of morbid realism and a visual warning for multiplayer servers. Alongside them, flowering cacti and tumbleweeds would bring some life to the barren biome. Tumbleweeds would even bounce around and knock into players, which could lead to some hilarious chaotic moments. It’s a neat atmospheric package, but honestly? It’s not enough to make the Badlands a destination. If you’re not already there for the gold or the terracotta, vultures alone probably won’t tempt you back.

Savanna: Baobabs, Ostriches, and Termite Mounds

The Savanna biome actually got a taste of love in 2024 when the armadillo won the 2023 mob vote and started rolling around sunny plateaus. But the 2018 biome vote promised a much bigger overhaul. The Savanna came second in that vote, losing to the Taiga by more than 30%, yet its proposal was packed with content.

The headliner? Baobab trees. Those massive, upside-down-looking trunks would not only look incredible dotting the landscape but also introduce a new wood type. Builders would go wild for a new set of planks, doors, and fences. On the mob side, ostriches would strut across the hills, likely with swift movement and maybe even rideability if Mojang got creative. Then there were the termite mounds — blocky, textured structures that implied the presence of termites. Whether the termites themselves would be visible mobs is still a mystery, but the idea alone gave the Savanna a proper ecological feel. Compared to what the Savanna is today — still mostly just acacias and the occasional llama — this vision represents a massive upgrade. But with armadillos already in the game, the Savanna isn’t as empty as it once was.

Desert: Palm Trees, Meerkats, and Oases

Then we reach the desert. In the 2018 vote, the desert update managed just over 15% in the first round and bowed out early. On paper, it was statistically less popular than the Savanna. Yet the desert update might just be the best of the bunch. Why? Because it gives players something they’ve been begging for almost as long as cherry blossoms: palm trees.

Mojang eventually added camels with the 1.20 Trails & Tales update in 2023, along with suspicious sand and archaeological digs around desert temples. That was a huge step in the right direction. But without actual palm trees, many tropical builds still rely on player-made approximations using jungle wood and leaves. An official palm wood set would be a game-changer for builders, and the promised oasis mini-biome would sprinkle actual green life into the endless beige. The oasis could feature small pools of water, lush vegetation, and maybe even a new flower or two.

Meerkats were also part of the pitch. Details on their behavior were scarce, but imagine the charm of these little creatures standing upright on their hind legs, watching out for danger — or perhaps digging up items from sand blocks. Alongside existing desert villages, camels, and husks, the addition of palm trees, meerkats, and oases would finally turn the desert from a bland sandbox into a vibrant, living ecosystem. Even though the Badlands arguably need the update more due to their rarity, and the Savanna’s proposals are incredibly rich, the desert update feels like the missing piece players have always wanted.

So, Which One Deserves the Spotlight in 2026?

If Mojang finally decided to deliver on all those old promises, the desert would be the crown jewel. A palm tree wood set alone would satisfy years of builder demand, and an oasis would give deserts much-needed variety. The Savanna’s baobab, ostriches, and termites would make an already lively biome even better, but with armadillos already in, the urgency is lower. The Badlands’ vultures and tumbleweeds are adorable but feel more like a sprinkle of flavor than a full meal.

Maybe 2026 is the year Mojang wraps up all three in a “Warm Biomes Update.” Until then, fans can keep dreaming — and keep checking every snapshot for signs of palm wood.