Microsoft put its Xbox backward compatibility program on hold two years ago, but it’s returning today for a final update to the catalog. To celebrate 20 years of Xbox, Microsoft is now adding 76 new games (full list below) to the backward compatibility library today. It’s a surprisingly long list of additions, including the entire Max Payne series, Skate 2, Dead or Alive Ultimate, and Star Wars Jedi Knight II. Show
“This latest and final addition of 70+ titles to the backwards compatibility program was only possible through the passion and feedback from the community,” explains Peggy Lo, compatibility program lead at Xbox. “[Xbox fans’] constant requests for specific titles and enhancements encouraged the backwards compatibility team to partner with the original creators to preserve thousands of games from over four generations of Xbox.” Every original Xbox or Xbox 360 game added today will support Auto HDR on Xbox Series X / S consoles, and original Xbox games will include a resolution increase, too. Xbox One X and Xbox Series X owners will see a 4x resolution increase on original Xbox games, with a 3x bump on Xbox Series S, and a 2x increase on Xbox One S and Xbox One consoles. Eleven games are getting FPS Boost mode, with all 76 supporting Auto HDR. Image: Microsoft FPS Boost is also being enabled on 11 of the titles added today, which doubles the original frame rate up to 60fps. FPS Boost is also arriving on 26 existing backward compatible games today, including the entire Gears of War franchise, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas. You can find the full list of FPS Boost titles right here. While Microsoft said two years ago it had “no plans to add additional original Xbox or Xbox 360 titles to the catalog,” the surprise addition of more than 70 games will be the final time we’ll see new backward compatible games. “While we continue to stay focused on preserving and enhancing the art form of games, we have reached the limit of our ability to bring new games to the catalog from the past due to licensing, legal and technical constraints,” explains Peggy Lo. Still, the list includes classics like Ridge Racer 6 and TimeSplitters 2. These titles alone could tempt many fans of these classics to purchase an Xbox Series X or Series S console to enjoy them again. Microsoft is also rolling out FPS Boost to 33 games on Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud), including Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and The Evil Within 2. You can find the full list of xCloud boosted games right here. Here’s the full list of 76 new Xbox backward compatible games arriving today:
(Pocket-lint) - The Xbox Series X and Series S are both fully backward compatible with nigh-on every game that runs on Xbox One, and that means they can equally play Xbox 360 and original Xbox games too. That's a huge incentive for gamers who choose Xbox. Not only do they get the latest Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games to play, they can dip from a big library of compatible titles stretching back to the start of the 2000s. But what games does it include and how does it work? We explain all there is to know about the Xbox backward compatibility system here.
How does Xbox backward compatibility work?The Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S are able to play Xbox 360 and original Xbox games through emulation software that makes your console think it's a last generation machine for the purposes of playing classic games. When a supported game is started on the machine, the current or last-gen console opens the emulator and, in all regards, the game works as if it was running on an Xbox 360 or 2001 Xbox. The opening screen appears first then the game will load. All other aspects and features that would normally be available on an Xbox 360 or Xbox are available on the Xbox One/Series X/S too, including the hub on the former (which can be opened through a simultaneous press of the menu and view buttons on the Xbox wireless controller). In addition, all new features of the more recent Xbox consoles work, including the ability to take screen grabs and record and share video of gameplay. Xbox Series X/S owners get additional bonuses too, with the latest consoles able to play many (if not all) of the backward compatible Xbox 360 and Xbox games with Auto HDR enabled. This adds virtual high dynamic range contrast and colours to make the titles look better. Plus, many titles have FPS Boost enabled. This ups the frame rate the fames play in, which provides a smoother experience.
Does it cost me anything?Xbox offers backward compatibility for free. If you own a supported game already, you do not have to pay anything to play it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S. Obviously, it costs to purchase new Xbox 360 or Xbox games that work on the machine. Many of the games with backward compatibility are also available as part of a Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. For £10.99 a month, you get access to more than 300 games to download and play on your console, made up of a mix of classic Xbox 360 and Xbox games, plus many more Xbox One and Series X/S titles. You also get online gaming access through Xbox Live Gold, EA Play, Cloud Gaming, and even Game Pass for PC. squirrel_widget_158169 Does it work with Xbox games I bought through Xbox store?Xbox backward compatibility works with digital content as well as disc games. In fact, if you enter a supported disc into your Xbox One or Series X, the machine will download the game from the Xbox store first - although you will need the disc to be in the machine each time you play. This cannot work on an Xbox One S All-digital Edition or Xbox Series S, of course, as they do not feature disc drives. If you own a digital copy of a supported game it appears in your games list ready for download. Check your My Games & Apps hub to see if any are listed among the games yet to be installed. Can I buy Xbox 360 and Xbox games on my Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S?Compatible Xbox 360 and Xbox games are listed for purchase on the Xbox game store. If you are an Xbox Live Gold member, you also get free Xbox 360 and/or original Xbox games to download each month alongside Xbox One titles as part of the Games for Gold scheme. That usually means you get two free Xbox One games and two free backward compatible games a month. Prices for the Xbox 360 and Xbox games on the online store vary, but start at around £5 / $5. Can I carry on with my previous Xbox 360 game saves on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S?If you originally set your Xbox 360 to save games to the cloud you will be able to download the save files to the Xbox One version and carry on. The cloud files are permanently associated with your gamertag so the Xbox One should do this automatically. If you only saved your in-game progress locally, to the hard drive, you will need to restart your Xbox 360 and save them to the cloud instead. If you no longer have your Xbox 360, sadly you won't be able to access the files. Considering the first-gen Xbox didn't save games to the cloud in the same way, you can't carry on with old save games. What games are available with Xbox backward compatibility?There are 100s of Xbox 360 titles available as part of the backward compatibility scheme and a decent selection of original Xbox games. Games like the original Guitar Hero and Rock Band series won't work as they require proprietary accessories that aren't compatible, nor do any that require with the original Kinect motion camera. Even if you have the Xbox One Kinect, it will not be compatible with previous Xbox 360 Kinect games.
Here's a full list of the original Xbox games that are available with backward compatibility for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S:
And here's a full list of the Xbox 360 games that are available with backward compatibility for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S:
* These games are enhanced for Xbox One X and the Series X/S, which means they have frame rate and/or resolution enhancements when played on those machines. Many games will also work with the Series X/S Auto HDR function.
RK Royal Kludge keyboards: The best large-sized gaming and typing keyboards? By Pocket-lint Promotion · 18 October 2022 These are some of the best keyboards around, for gaming and working. Writing by Rik Henderson. Is Lego LOTR backwards compatible on Xbox?The game was later re-added to Steam on 27 April 2020, and it was added to Xbox backwards compatibility on the Xbox One and Series X and S consoles on 16 November 2021.
Can I play Lord of the Rings on Xbox One?The Lord of the Rings: Gollum launches September 1 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC; later in 2022 for Switch. New screenshots and key artwork released.
Why can't I buy LEGO Lord of the Rings on Xbox One?There was some kind of licensing issue with both LEGO LOTR and LEGO Hobbit about 5 years ago and they were both delisted. They clearly sorted it out, because Hobbit was re-listed. I believe they didn't bother re-listing LOTR because it wasn't backwards-compatible at the time.
Can you play LEGO Lord of the Rings on Xbox Series S?LEGO Lord of the Rings is now backward compatible on Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One!
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