Microsoft has launched Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC in early release, bringing select original Xbox games to Windows PCs and supported handheld devices for the first time.
Available from today in supported regions, the new feature allows players to access classic Xbox titles through the Xbox on PC app, including the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. Microsoft says the initiative is the first step in a broader effort to preserve original Xbox games and expand their availability on PC over time.
The initial line-up includes BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Fuzion Frenzy. All four games are available to purchase on PC and are also included with every Xbox Game Pass subscription tier.
Players who already own a digital console licence for any of these titles will automatically be able to access them on PC and supported handhelds. Through Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming, the games can also be played across Xbox consoles, cloud, PC and compatible handheld devices.
Alongside the move to PC, Microsoft has added several enhancements while retaining the original gameplay. Players can adjust graphics settings with support for up to 4x resolution upscaling, VSync, fullscreen and windowed display modes, anisotropic filtering and enhanced anti-aliasing. Customisable language and audio settings are also included.
Microsoft also confirmed that Achievements will be added to selected original Xbox titles later this year. The four games available in today’s preview release will receive Achievement support in the coming months.
To use Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC, players must be running Windows 11 and meet the minimum hardware requirements, including a GPU equivalent to an Nvidia GTX 950, AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770, a quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM. Microsoft recommends more powerful hardware, including a GTX 1070 Ti, Radeon RX 6800 or Intel Arc A770 graphics card, a 6-core processor and 8GB of VRAM for the best experience.
Microsoft said Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC is intended to preserve classic Xbox games while making it easier for players to access the titles they already own across multiple devices.
