The original Minecraft Alpha 1.2.6 was released on December 3, 2010

Many players prefer these launchers for older versions because they fix common issues like broken skins, missing sounds, or the "memory leak" bug found in early Java builds.

Official launcher (recommended):

When downloading older versions of Minecraft, keep in mind:

: Specifically designed to restore the "original feel" of old Minecraft, including vintage skins and sound systems that no longer work in the official launcher. What’s New in Alpha 1.2.6?