What Should Be in MC: The Mod That Fills Vanilla’s Gaps
Minecraft has evolved tremendously over the years, yet many players still find themselves wishing for small but impactful features that feel like they should have been part of the base game all along. That’s exactly the philosophy behind What Should Be in MC (often abbreviated as WSBIM). Originally crafted for version 1.7.10 back in 2016, this mod received a complete rewrite for 1.12.2 in 2020, bringing a polished set of quality-of-life improvements and a powerful API for other modders. If you’ve ever thought, “Why isn’t this in vanilla?”—chances are WSBIM already has it covered.
A Core Mod with a Clear Vision
WSBIM isn’t just a random collection of tweaks. It serves as a foundational core mod and API for the author’s entire suite of creations. Mods like Storage Items Mod and WSBIM: Legacy Blocks and Items depend on it, meaning that installing WSBIM unlocks a whole ecosystem of enhancements. The mod requires Forge version 14.23.5.2768 or greater, so make sure your modded setup is up to date. One important note: starting from version 1.1.1, legacy blocks and items were moved to a separate companion mod to keep the core experience clean and focused.
User Interface Overhaul: Menus, Buttons, and Clarity
The most noticeable changes come in the form of UI improvements. WSBIM introduces a dedicated WSBIM Options page—a fully custom, separate menu where you can toggle every single feature on or off. This granular control is a dream for both casual players and modpack authors who want to tailor the experience precisely. You can even change the button layout to make main menu and pause menu buttons transparent or neatly listed, giving your game a sleek, modern look.
One standout addition is the Crafting Table Button. It appears in the top-right corner of any inventory screen. Click it, and a 2x2 crafting grid pops up. If you have a crafting table in your inventory, the grid expands to a full 3x3—no more fumbling to place that table down for a quick recipe. This small tweak alone saves countless seconds and feels so natural you’ll wonder why it wasn’t always there.
WSBIM also cleans up the heads-up display. The hotbar and experience bar can be rendered with a transparent, minimalist style (enabled by default, but easily disabled). An HUD Armor Status indicator shows your current armor durability right on screen, so you’re never caught off guard mid-battle. All these visual changes use vanilla textures through draw functions, ensuring out-of-the-box resource pack compatibility without breaking your favorite aesthetic.
Information at Your Fingertips: Tooltips and NBT Data
Knowledge is power, especially when you’re dealing with complex modded items. WSBIM adds detailed item tooltips for both vanilla and modded items, revealing hidden stats and properties that the base game keeps secret. You can disable these if you prefer a cleaner look, but for the curious crafter, they’re invaluable. Even more impressive is the NBT tag data tooltip: hold down the shift key while hovering over any item with NBT data, and a list of tags and their values appears. This is a godsend for debugging, learning how custom items work, or simply satisfying your inner data nerd.
For those who enjoy a darker aesthetic, the mod includes a dark mode for GUI textures within its own menus. It’s a subtle touch that reduces eye strain during late-night building sessions.
Modpack Integration and Automatic Updates
Modpack creators will find WSBIM exceptionally friendly. Upon first launch, a wsbim_options.config file is generated in your root/config directory. This file can be pre-configured and shipped with a modpack, allowing authors to enforce a consistent UI style and feature set across all players. Whether you want to disable certain tooltips for a hardcore survival pack or enable the transparent hotbar for a minimalist adventure, the config file makes it effortless.
WSBIM also comes with a built-in update checker and an automated download function. When a new version is available, the mod can fetch it for you, keeping your game current without manual hassle. This is particularly useful when you’re juggling dozens of mods. Speaking of hassle-free mod management, many players have discovered that the foxygame.net launcher provides a seamless way to install WSBIM and its dependent mods directly from its integrated menu. This modern launcher emphasizes flexibility and convenience, letting you download and update mods with just a few clicks, so you can spend more time crafting and less time configuring.
What Should Be in MC: Feature Summary
- Custom Options Menu: Toggle every mod feature independently via a dedicated settings page.
- Main Menu & Pause Menu Overhaul: Transparent or listed button layouts for a cleaner interface.
- Clear Hotbar & XP Bar: Minimalist HUD elements that can be disabled.
- Crafting Table Button: Instant 2x2 or 3x3 crafting grid from any inventory screen.
- Dark Mode GUI: Eye-friendly dark textures for mod menus.
- Detailed Item Tooltips: Extra information on vanilla and modded items, toggleable.
- NBT Tag Tooltips: Hold shift to see raw NBT data on any item.
- HUD Armor Status: On-screen armor durability display.
- Update Checker & Auto-Download: Keeps the mod up to date automatically.
- Modder API: Other mods can use WSBIM to create their own options pages and update checkers.
Compatibility and Modpack Permissions
WSBIM is designed to play nicely with other mods, and you’re free to include it in any modpack without asking. If you plan to redistribute the mod as a standalone download on your own website (outside a modpack), you’ll need written permission from the author—but simply linking to the official CurseForge post is perfectly fine. Bugs can be reported via the GitHub repository, and the developer remains open to suggestions for future features.
Why WSBIM Deserves a Spot in Your Modded World
What Should Be in MC bridges the gap between vanilla Minecraft and the countless mods that expand it. It doesn’t overhaul gameplay mechanics or add flashy new dimensions; instead, it refines the everyday experience with thoughtful, almost invisible improvements. The crafting table button alone can change how you interact with your inventory, while the NBT tooltips turn you into an informed builder. Combined with its role as a core API, WSBIM is a must-have for anyone who values polish and practicality. Whether you’re assembling a massive modpack or just want a smoother solo adventure, this mod delivers exactly what its name promises—features that truly should be in Minecraft.
Next time you launch your game, consider adding WSBIM to your mods folder. The subtle enhancements stack up quickly, and with the automatic update feature, you’ll always have the latest version. It’s the kind of mod that, once installed, you’ll forget is even there—until you play without it and realize just how much vanilla is missing.