Xbox launches PC Backward Compatibility, adding four games on day one
SOFTWARE NEWSmanhkbrady
–
about 1 hour ago
Microsoft is reviving one of Xbox’s most beloved initiatives, but this time the focus has shifted away from consoles. After years of helping preserve classic Xbox and Xbox 360 titles on newer Xbox hardware, the Xbox Backward Compatibility program is making its way to Windows PCs, giving players another way to revisit older games without digging out aging consoles.
The original backward compatibility initiative debuted in 2015 and quickly became a fan favorite by bringing Xbox 360 games to Xbox One. Support later expanded to include original Xbox titles before Microsoft effectively wrapped up the program in 2019, only to surprise fans with one final wave of additions later that year. The newly announced Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC picks up where that effort left off, aiming to make legacy Xbox games playable on modern Windows systems.
The initial rollout includes four original Xbox titles: BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. Players who already own a digital copy of any of these games can download and play them on PC at no additional cost thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere support. All four titles are also included with Xbox Game Pass, allowing subscribers to jump in without purchasing them separately.
Microsoft hasn’t simply ported the games across unchanged. The PC versions include a number of enhancements designed to better suit modern hardware, including customizable graphics settings, higher rendering resolutions, V-Sync, fullscreen and windowed display modes, anisotropic filtering, improved anti-aliasing, and several other visual upgrades that weren’t available on the original console releases.
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310
- CPU: Min 4 Cores Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A Processor
- RAM: 8GB
- OS: Windows 11
- Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026
- GPU: Radeon RX 68005 or Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti or Intel Arc A770
- CPU: 6 cores and 12 threads Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme
- DirectX Version: DirectX12 API, Hardware Feature Level 11
- GPU VRAM: 8GB
- OS: Windows 11
- Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026
Microsoft says the launch is only the beginning. Additional backward-compatible titles are already in development for the PC program, while future updates are expected to introduce new features, including Xbox achievement support, further expanding the company’s efforts to preserve its classic game library on modern hardware.
As always, for the latest news on Xbox, PlayStation, console features, and developments across the gaming industry, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.
manhkbrady
A writer, and a full-time Tetris min-maxing player. Do you know that rhythm games are a form of human benchmarking?
Featuring a total prize pool of 1,000 USDT
for the top 10 players on the leaderboard.
4 WAYS TO WIN BIG!
- Trending Now
- Marathon’s biggest PvE update goes live today7/21/26Gaming News
- Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters officially confirmed7/20/26Gaming News
- This Week’s Video Game Releases – July 2026 (Week 30)7/20/26New Game Releases
- Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon: Major new updates have just been revealed7/20/26Gaming News
- The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu is here, but does it live up to expectations?7/16/26Gaming News
- News, Good deals
- Tears of Metal, a mix of Musou and Roguelite officially enters Early Access29 minutes agoGaming News
- Star Wars Zero Company is taking the straight path2 hours agoGaming News
- DIVE or DIE: Children of Rain , What Have You Seen Beneath the Deep Sea?7/21/26Gaming News
- Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters officially confirmed7/20/26Gaming News
- Borderlands: Dead ECHOs makes the world of Borderlands 4 feel more alive7/20/26Gaming News
- The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu is here, but does it live up to expectations?7/16/26Gaming News
- Most Popular
- Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
LootBar$43.25 - The Mound Omen of Cthulhu
Game Boost$16.57 - Palworld
LootBar$19.85 - Battlefield 6
Game Boost$28.21 - Ore Factory Squad
Steam$9.74
- New games
- Avatar Legends The Fighting Game
GameStop$29.99 - Disgaea Mayhem
GreenmanGaming$59.99 - Shift At Midnight
GAMESEAL$7.78 - DIVE or DIE Children of Rain
Fanatical$11.33 - Fading Echo
K4G$12.31
- Available soon
- Forensics Crime Scene Detective
Kinguin$14.87 - Halo Campaign Evolved
LDShop$36.42 - BLUE REFLECTION Quartet
GreenmanGaming$43.49 - Kusan City of Wolves
GameStop$34.99 - PAW Patrol Dino World
GameStop$39.99
