First announced back at E3 2017, Microsoft showcased a new feature coming to Xbox One consoles: original Xbox backwards compatibility. This has been a feature that was offered in a limited capacity with the Xbox 360 but something that is being pushed further with the Xbox One.
With the success of Xbox 360 backwards compatibility on Xbox One, Microsoft decided to open the doors even further to allow for original Xbox backwards compatibility. With Xbox One being pushed as an all-in-one entertainment center, this is an excellent way to make all of your favorite games playable in one place.
During E3, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, announced Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge would be one of the titles to join the program but many more were in the works. As it turns out, 13 titles will be joining the program and they will be hitting Xbox One consoles as early as tomorrow.
Microsoft revealed the initial titles to IGN and IGN reports all of these titles are enhanced with 1080p resolution, higher and/or smoother framerates and faster loading times.
Here’s the list of games hitting the platform tomorrow, October 24:
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Ninja Gaiden Black
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- Fuzion Frenzy
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Psychonauts
- Dead to Rights
- Black
- Grabbed by the Ghoulies
- Sid Meier’s Pirates!
- Red Faction II
- BloodRayne 2
- The King of Fighters Neowave
If you still own the disc, all you have to do is pop it into your Xbox One console and it should be good to go. If you own it somewhere digitally on your account, that will work as well. If you want to revisit one of these games (Knights of the Old Republic anyone?) you will be able to purchase a copy from the Xbox Store digitally for $9.99.
If you’re hoping to play some online multiplayer then you’re going to be disappointed here. The servers for these games have long been closed but you will still have the option for system link. Despite receiving the 1080p upscale, most of the games will still be locked into the traditional 4:3 aspect ration with only Ninja Black Gaiden supporting 16:9 widescreen.
It doesn’t sound like, at least initially, that achievements will be added into these games but that would certainly be something to pay attention to in the future. The current achievement system we say today was implemented with the Xbox 360.
As for what games will be coming next, it’s tough to say. Xbox platform lead Bill Stillwell told IGN that many of the original Xbox game publishers either don’t exist anymore or the contacts are just missing. This is back in the day when contracts were still drafted on actual paper instead of digitally. This doesn’t mean no games are ever coming again but it’s important to keep your expectations leveled.
If any of these games sound interesting to you and you want a physical copy, it’s best to search Amazon and Ebay right now before the prices of these old titles inevitable surge.
