Xbox has officially launched Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC. It allows players to enjoy classic original Xbox games on Windows PCs and PC gaming handhelds for the first time. The feature is rolling out in an early release and starts with four classic titles.
The first games available under the program are:
- BLiNX: The Time Sweeper
- Conker: Live and Reloaded
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- Fuzion Frenzy
All four games are available to purchase on PC starting today. They are also included with every Xbox Game Pass plan.
This is the beginning of Microsoft’s broader plan to bring more classic Xbox games to PC over time. The company says the goal is to preserve older games and make them playable on modern devices instead of leaving them tied to old hardware.
Players who already own a digital license for these games on Xbox consoles will also be able to access them on PC without buying them again. The games also support Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming. So, gamers can continue playing across Xbox consoles, PCs, handhelds, and the cloud.
Microsoft has also added several PC-specific improvements while keeping the original gameplay intact. Players can customize graphics settings, including support for up to 4x resolution upscaling, VSync, fullscreen and windowed modes, anisotropic filtering, and improved anti-aliasing. Language and audio settings can also be customized.
The company has confirmed that more features are on the way. One of the most requested additions, Achievements for original Xbox games, will arrive later this year. The four games available today will receive achievement support in the coming months.
To use Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC, players need a Windows 11 PC or compatible handheld that meets the minimum hardware requirements. Microsoft recommends at least 8GB of RAM, a quad-core processor, and a DirectX 12-compatible graphics card.
