Full Xbox Backward Compatibility List
Here’s a full list of the original Xbox games that are available with backward compatibility for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S:
- Armed and Dangerous
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge *
- Dead or Alive 3
- Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb
- Jade Empire *
- Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
- Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction *
- Panzer Elite Action: Fields of Glory *
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time *
- Psychonauts *
- Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy
- SSX 3 *
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy *
- Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
- Star Wars Jedi Starfighter *
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic *
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords *
- Star Wars Republic Commando *
- Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars *
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind *
- TimeSplitters 2
How Backwards Compatibility Works
The Xbox One isnt normally capable of playing Xbox 360 games. Instead, Microsoft created an emulator that simulates the Xbox 360s hardware and software. Xbox 360 games run inside this emulator. Its similar to how the virtual console games work on Nintendos Wii U and Wii, or how youd run old console games in emulators on a PC.
Not all games will run in the emulator. If you have an Xbox 360 game thats compatible with your Xbox One, you can insert it into your Xbox Ones disc drive. The Xbox One will then download a ported version of that game from Microsofts servers and make it available on your console alongside your other installed games. If you have a digital copy of the game, you can download it from Microsofts servers like youd download any other digital Xbox One game.
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Once you do get a game running, it should work well. You can even use the Xbox Ones Game DVR feature to record your gameplay in in Xbox 360 game. Eurogamer tested many major games and found that many of them performed better on the Xbox One than the Xbox 360, although some games had minor hitches and graphical problems that didnt appear on the Xbox 360.
But again: all this only works if the Microsoft has made the game compatible with the Xbox One. Each games publisher will need to sign off on this, and not every publisher has done so.
Top Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S Backward Compatibility?
The digital titles that you own and are part of the Back Compat game catalog will automatically show up in the Ready to Install section on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. For disc-based games that are a part of the Back Compat game catalog, insert the disc and the console will begin downloading the game to your hard drive. After the game has downloaded to your hard drive, users will still need to keep the game disc in the drive to play. Xbox Series S: Use with digital games only*
Does backward compatibility cost extra?
Xbox One Backward Compatibility is free and allows you to play select Xbox 360 and Original Xbox games you already own on Xbox One.
Xbox Series X|S Backward Compatibility is free and allows you to play select Xbox 360, Original Xbox games, and Xbox One games you already own on Xbox Series X|S.
Is Xbox Live Gold required for backward compatibility?
Xbox Live Gold is not required for Xbox Backward Compatibility. However, it is required for any standard Xbox Live Gold feature like online multiplayer.
Will functionality for the Original Xbox games via Xbox Backward Compatibility change from the Xbox 360 games in any way?
Functionality will be very similar. You can play the digital or disc-based game you own, taking advantage of Xbox features like Game DVR and broadcasting.
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Xbox One Backwards Compatible Games List
Xbox One backwards compatible games allow you to rediscover some of the greatest moments from the console’s history, or to experience them for the time on the latest consoles.
Microsoft announced that no more games would be added to the Xbox One backwards compatibility library in June 2019, so this is a complete list of every vintage game you can play on Xbox One.
We’ve compiled them all here for easy browsing, so if you’ve got a stack of old games lying around, why not see if they’re now playable on Xbox One? There’s a certain magic to replaying and enjoying the games of yesteryear on a modern console – and all that hard drive space ensures that you can clear out your closet and go digital with your Xbox game collection. Should you need the best Xbox One accessories to play them with, be sure to check out our roundup.
Due To Licensing Legal And Technical Constraints

Xbox just added 70+ games to its backward compatibility program. But this massive drop will be the last set of games added as Xbox announced licensing and legal constraints means it can no longer add games to backward compatibility.
Tucked away in the officialXbox Wire post announcing the latest drop of backward compatible and enhanced games, Xbox writes, 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. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
IGN confirmed with Xbox that this is the final addition to the backward compatible catalog and that no new titles should be expected going forward.
In a statement by a Microsoft spokesperson the company says, “Yes, this is the final addition of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games to the backward compatibility program. We have reached the limits of our ability to add additional games to the catalog due to licensing, legal or technical constraints. We knowweve said this before, but we wentbackone more time to bring as many fan-requested titles as possible to the catalog to celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Have you played Xbox One X?
The Xbox One was able to play a library of Xbox 360 games through backward compatibility. In 2017, Microsoft announced that it will extend backward compatibility to include original Xbox games.
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Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Despite having one of the dumbest titles in video game history, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is the rare video game spin-off that can stand toe-to-toe with the main series. Developed by the action masterminds at PlatinumGames, Revengeance puts players in the cybernetic shoes of Raiden, now almost entirely transformed into a cyborg. Using a unique sword-cutting system, Raiden can turn nearly any enemy into ribbons of flesh or metal, and the bosses he fights are over-the-top enough for even the most dedicated Metal Gear fans.
Read our full Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance review
The Elder Scrolls Iv: Oblivion
Bethesda rarely fails to impress, and the early-generation role-playing game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion certainly lived up to expectations. With far more realistic environments and characters than we saw in Morrowind for the original Xbox, its among the best games the company has ever made, and the freedom you have to choose between so many different class options means theres a play-style for just about everyone. Its sequel, Skyrim, is the perfect game to play next on your Xbox One.
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How To Play Xbox 360 And Xbox Games On An Xbox One
Unless you have the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition console, which lacks a disc drive, all you need to do is pop the older game disc into your Xbox One to play it.
And of course you can always buy an Xbox 360 or Original Xbox game digitally and then play it on your Xbox One console.
To play an Xbox 360 game you bought digitally:
1. Log into your Xbox One account and then go into the “My games & apps” section.
2. Now scroll all the way to the right, past all of your Xbox One games.
3. Assuming your Xbox 360 game is one of the many titles supported for backward compatibility, it will appear on your list of games. Click on its icon, and it will download to the Xbox One console.
Beyond the nostalgic enjoyment of older games, the older Xbox games will actually look and play better than ever on an Xbox One. The games will experience fewer issues like screen tearing and lag, and some graphics are even improved.
List Of Xbox Games Compatible With Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 gaming console has received updates from Microsoft from its launch in 2005 until November 2007 that enable it to play select games from its predecessor, Xbox. The Xbox 360 launched with backward compatibility with the number of supported Xbox games varying depending on region. Microsoft continued to update the list of Xbox games that were compatible with Xbox 360 until November 2007 when the list was finalized. Microsoft later launched the Xbox Originals program on December 7, 2007 where select backward compatible Xbox games could be purchased digitally on Xbox 360 consoles with the program ending less than two years later in June 2009. The following is a list of all backward compatible games on Xbox 360 under this functionality.
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How To Play Original Xbox Games On Xbox 360
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If you have a library of old original Xbox games stored away in a box somewhere, you may still be able to get some use out of them. Many of the games released for the original Xbox are compatible with the Xbox 360. You may need to download an update in order for the game to work, and not all games are supported, but it’s a great way to get more mileage out of old games.
Frequently Asked Questions From The Official Xbox Backward Compatible Support Page:
Q: Does backward compatibility cost extra?
A: No. Xbox One Backward Compatibility is free and allows you to play select Xbox 360 games you already own on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
Q: Is Xbox Live Gold required for backward compatibility?
A: No. Xbox Live Gold is not required for Xbox One Backward Compatibility. However, it is required for any standard Xbox Live Gold feature like online multiplayer.
Q: Can I play games online with my friend if Im on my Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S playing an Xbox 360 game and they are on an Xbox 360?
A: Yes, you can play backwards compatible games with your friends whether they are playing on Xbox One or Xbox 360.
Q: How are titles selected?
A: We started with some of the most popular and highest rated Xbox 360 titles. We listened to our fans and worked with our partners to bring as many titles as we could to the program. Well continue to update this page if more titles are added in the future.
Q: Will the DLC for backward compatible titles be available too?
A: Yes. If you own the DLC, you can install and use it just like you do on the Xbox 360. To install DLC you own, go to the Manage Game section for that specific title and install the DLC to your drive.
Q: Can I plug my removable hard drive from my Xbox 360 into my Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S?
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Xbox 360 Backward Compatible Games List For Xbox One Xbox Series X/s
Backward compatibility opens Xbox consoles to a massive variety of games, and with the latest Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, it now spans three generations of past consoles. Despite hardware differences, it remains an outstanding feature, allowing a select library of older games to be played on new devices. That list now stows hundreds of previous games revived on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, with some even featuring bespoke enhancements bringing older experiences into the new generation.
With an extensive range of titles that support backward compatibility, we’ve compiled a list of every past Xbox 360 and original Xbox game supported so far.
What Does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Mean For Xbox Series X And S Backward Compatibility

Xbox Game Pass members essentially have many backward compatible games they can play right away when next-gen consoles launch. While some Xbox Series X launch games will be on Game Pass, the majority of its library is made up of Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One titles. It seems that almost every game on Xbox Game Pass should be supported by Xbox Series X and S, as Microsoft has not indicated otherwise.
The company has boasted in Xbox Wire posts that there will be hundreds of games for Xbox Game Pass subscribers to play on Xbox Series X and S day one even if they don’t purchase any actual games with the console. Backward compatibility will be hard to miss out on during the early days of the Xbox Series X, and Xbox Game Pass gives an easy way for over 15 million people to experience it if they get a next-gen Xbox console.
Xbox Series X and Series S will be released on November 10, 2020.
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Are Xbox Series X And S Backward Compatible With Xbox Xbox 360 And Xbox One
Unlike the PS5, which is only compatible with the PS4, the Xbox Series X and S are compatible with all previous Xbox systems. That means that many of your Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One games will work on Xbox Series X and S. If you own any titles for these systems digitally, they will automatically carry over when you log into your Microsoft account.
Physically, you can put the disc in the Xbox Series X to claim and download the game. Microsoft is claiming that many games will even be enhanced for Xbox Series X and S, playing at higher frame rates and resolutions.
Xbox One Backwards Compatibility: How Well Do Xbox 360 Games Run On Xbox One
The experience varies from game to game. According to Digital Foundry’s report, all titles receive some baseline improvements – such as the elimination of screen tear “completely on every title” – through to any disc access operations tending to “have less of an impact on performance”, meaning Mass Effect’s elevator load times and Fallout 3’s hitches are reduced.
However, while less demanding games such as Braid and N+ perform flawlessly, the more CPU-heavy titles do struggle, with Halo: Reach and Gears of War: Judgement singled out as games that suffer in the emulation process.
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The Best Xbox 360 Games Backward Compatible On Xbox One
A major disadvantage of upgrading your console or even switching to an entirely new brand is that youve got to start fresh with your video game library. The good news is that Microsoft has installed a backward-compatibility feature on Xbox One.
While theres no need to throw out your entire library of Xbox 360 games, keep in mind that some games arent compatible as Xbox One games. We have put together a list of the best Xbox 360 games that work with the Xbox One to save you some time.
Which Xbox Games Are Backward Compatible With Xbox Series X And S
When it comes to Xbox One backward compatibility, Xbox Head Phil Spencer confirmed in July on Xbox Wire,“Itâs our intent for all Xbox One games that do not require Kinect to play on Xbox Series X at the launch of the console.” That means the vast majority of your titles will carry over, with the exception of some Xbox Game Studios published games like Kinect Sports Rivals.
As for Xbox and Xbox 360 games, the list of backward compatible titles does get a little more restrictive, though over 600 games are still available. Microsoft has a website dedicated to saying what Xbox and Xbox 360 games work on Xbox One, and these should all carry over to Xbox Series X. Check out the full list of titles to see how many Xbox games in your library are supported.
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Standard Backwards Compatibility Improvements
The following improvements are made to all backwards compatibility titles:
- Improved frame rate stability â The increased performance of the Xbox One allows titles to hit and maintain their max frame rate more consistently.
- Games utilizing a dynamic resolution will hit their max resolution more often, or at all times due to the increased performance of the Xbox One.
- 16x anisotropic filtering â Greatly enhances the quality of textures.
- Forced V-sync â Prevents screen tearing.
- Variable refresh rate compatibility â Allows displays to match the current frame rate of the console, preventing stuttering and tearing and improving the smoothness of motion. A compatible display is required for variable refresh rates.