Microsoft is planning to significantly expand its Xbox backward compatibility efforts on PC to include Xbox 360 titles, according to an internal developer document obtained by The Verge.
The news follows last month's release of four original Xbox classics on PC: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies, and Fuzion Frenzy. The leaked document reveals that developers will eventually be able to opt in to bring their Xbox 360 back catalogs to PC users as well.
Key Details from the Leak
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Target Platforms: Future backward-compatible Xbox 360 games will be playable across "Xbox PCs" (via the Windows Xbox app), Windows handhelds (like the ROG Xbox Ally X), and Microsoft's upcoming "Project Helix" next-generation console, which is reported to share significant architectural overlap with traditional gaming PCs.
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Developer Control: Publishers will retain full authority over whether to enable PC backward compatibility for their legacy 360 titles, setting individual price points and deciding whether to include them in Xbox Game Pass.
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Release Timeline: The expansion to Xbox 360 games is reportedly scheduled to roll out between 2027 and 2028 across next-gen hardware, indicating a multi-year wait before the feature goes live publicly.
Near-Term Plans for Original Xbox Games
While 360 compatibility remains further out, Microsoft's PC initiative for the original Xbox catalog is moving quickly:
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October Full Launch: The initial wave of four titles will be expanded during a broader rollout scheduled for October.
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Visual & Technical Upgrades: Currently available titles feature modern enhancements, including 4x resolution scaling, V-Sync, texture filtering, and anti-aliasing. All current titles are included across all Xbox Game Pass tiers.
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Retroactive Achievements: Microsoft confirmed plans to introduce Xbox Achievements to original Xbox titles for the first time, retroactively updating both the PC and console versions in the coming months.
What We Know So Far
TBA confirmed that the game is being built for TBA, with improved visuals, new mechanics, and environments designed around the storybook theme.
We wanted to create a world that feels like stepping into a storybook — full of wonder, surprises, and discovery around every corner.
— TBA
