Microsoft Announces Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC, With New Features and Achievements

Microsoft has announced Xbox Backward Compatibility connected PC, allowing you to play classical console games connected PC and handhelds specified arsenic the Xbox Ally X for the archetypal time.

The programme begins contiguous with an aboriginal preview, containing enactment for 4 titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy.

Anyone who owns the games already volition automatically person a licence granted connected PC. The 4 games volition besides beryllium added to Xbox Game Pass, for those with a PC Game Pass (or Ultimate) subscription. And, of course, you'll beryllium capable to watercourse the titles via Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing you to play them connected beauteous overmuch immoderate rig.

Microsoft has announced Xbox Backward Compatibility connected PC. Image credit: Microsoft.

Fresh features for Xbox Backward Compatibility connected PC games see "up to 4x solution upscaling, VSync support, Fullscreen and Windowed show modes, anisotropic filtering, enhanced anti-aliasing, and more," Xbox hardware designer Jason Ronald wrote successful an announcement blog post. "These games besides see customizable connection and audio settings."

Finally, portion unavailable today, Microsoft volition adhd achievements to these games and aboriginal Xbox Backward Compatibility connected PC titles via an update aboriginal this year.

"Xbox Backward Compatibility connected PC is different measurement toward preserving the games from the past and making it easier for you to bask and play much of the games you already ain crossed the devices you usage each day," Ronald concluded.

Today's announcement feels similar a much-needed portion of positivity aft a bruising period for Xbox, pursuing its devastating layoffs of 1,600 staff, and confirmation that different 1,600 volition beryllium fto spell implicit the people of this fiscal year. At slightest 4 studios person besides been chopped escaped (Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games and Undead Labs), portion the presumption of Blade shaper Arkane remains unclear.

Rumors abound that Microsoft is acceptable to proceed its enactment for older games with the announcement of a disc-to-digital-license transferal program. A study earlier this period suggested that Project Helix, the next-generation Xbox, volition not diagnostic a disc drive. No further details were provided, but the quality follows the bombshell dropped by PlayStation that it volition nary longer beryllium producing oregon supporting carnal crippled discs starting successful January 2028. This suggests that the PlayStation 6 won't travel with a disc drive, and that Sony is readying to clasp an all-digital future.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social