Xbox Backward Compatibility Program Launched on PC

Initially, users have access to four projects from the first generation of Xbox.

Microsoft has launched an early version of the Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC feature, which allows users to run games from the original Xbox on Windows-powered computers. Support has already begun to roll out and is available not only on regular PCs but also on portable gaming devices, including the ROG Xbox Ally.

Currently, only four projects are available to users:

• Blinx: The Time Sweeper
• Conker: Live and Reloaded
• Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
• Fuzion Frenzy

Games can be purchased for PC now, and are also available with any level of Xbox Game Pass subscription. Microsoft states that the catalog will expand over time with new classic projects.

A number of technical improvements have been prepared for the PC versions. These include image scaling up to 4K, V-Sync support, improved texture filtering, anti-aliasing, and other modern graphics features, thanks to which old games should look significantly better on current hardware.

The company also confirmed that it will add an achievement system in the coming months. This will be the first time that games from the original Xbox will receive achievements – they will appear in both PC versions and on Xbox consoles.

At the same time, Microsoft revealed the system requirements for running classic games. The minimum configuration includes a video card of the level GeForce GTX 950, Radeon RX 550, Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310, a quad-core Intel Core i3-8100, AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or Ryzen Z2 A processor, 8 GB of RAM and Windows 11 with current drivers.

For a more comfortable game, it is recommended to use GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, Radeon RX 6800 or Intel Arc A770, a six-core Intel Core i5-10400, AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 8 GB of video memory, DirectX 12 support and Windows 11 with the latest driver versions.