(Pocket-lint) – The Xbox Series X and Series S are fully backward compatible with almost every game that runs on Xbox One, and that means they can play Xbox 360 and original Xbox games too.
It’s a great incentive for gamers who choose Xbox. Not only do they get the latest Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games to play, they can also use a large library of compatible titles from the early 2000s.
But what games does it include and how does it work? We explain everything there is to know about the Xbox backwards compatibility system here.
How does Xbox backwards compatibility work?
Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S are capable of playing Xbox 360 and original Xbox games through emulation software that makes your console think it’s a high-end machine for the purpose of playing classic games.
When a supported game is launched on the machine, the current or next-gen console opens the emulator and in all respects the game works as if it were running on an Xbox 360 or Xbox 2001. The splash screen appears first and the game loads.
All other aspects and features that would normally be available on an Xbox 360 or Xbox are available on the Xbox One/Series X/S as well, including the hub on the former (which can be opened by simultaneously pressing the menu and preview buttons on the wireless controller of Xbox). Plus, all the new features on the latest Xbox consoles work, including the ability to capture screenshots and record and share in-game videos.
Xbox Series X/S owners also get additional bonuses, with the latest consoles able to play many (if not all) of the backwards compatible Xbox 360 and Xbox games with auto HDR enabled. This adds high dynamic range virtual contrast and colors to improve the appearance of titles. Also, many titles have FPS Boost enabled. This increases the framerate that fames plays at, which provides a smoother experience.
Does it cost me anything?
If you already own a compatible game, you don’t have to pay anything to play it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S.
Obviously, it costs to buy new Xbox 360 or Xbox games that work on the machine.
Many of the backward-compatible games are also available as part of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription . For £10.99 a month, you get access to over 300 games to download and play on your console, consisting of a mix of classic Xbox 360 and Xbox games, plus many other
Does it work with Xbox games I bought from the Xbox store?
Xbox backwards compatibility works with digital content as well as disc games. In fact, if you insert a compatible disc into your Xbox One or Series X, the machine will download the game from the Xbox store first – although you will need the disc to be in the machine each time you play. This can’t work on an Xbox One S All-digital Edition or Xbox Series S, of course, as they don’t have disc drives.
If you have a digital copy of a compatible game, it will appear in your list of games ready to download. Check your My Games & Apps hub to see if any are listed among the games you haven’t installed yet.
Can I buy Xbox 360 and Xbox games on my Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S?
Compatible Xbox 360 and Xbox games are listed for purchase on the Xbox Games Store. If you are an Xbox Live Gold member, you will also receive free Xbox 360 games and/or original Xbox games to download each month along with Xbox One titles as part of the Games for Gold scheme.
This usually means you get two free Xbox One games and two backward compatible games per month.
Prices for Xbox 360 and Xbox games in the online store vary, but start at around £5/$5.
Can I continue with my previous Xbox 360 saves on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S?
If you originally set up your Xbox 360 to save games to the cloud, you can download the save files for the Xbox One version and continue. Cloud files are permanently associated with your gamertag, so Xbox One should do this automatically.
If you only saved your game progress locally to your hard drive, you will need to restart your Xbox 360 and save them to the cloud. If you no longer have the Xbox 360, unfortunately you will not be able to access the files.
Considering that the first-gen Xbox didn’t save games to the cloud in the same way, you can’t continue with old save games.
What games are available with Xbox backwards compatibility?
There are hundreds of Xbox 360 titles available as part of the backwards compatibility scheme and a decent selection of original Xbox games.
Games like the original Guitar Hero and Rock Band series don’t work because they require proprietary accessories that aren’t compatible, nor do those that require the original Kinect motion camera. Even if you have Xbox One Kinect, it will not be compatible with previous Xbox 360 Kinect games.