Microsoft is planning to expand its backwards compatible programme on PC, bringing Xbox 360 games to Windows via emulation. That’s according to recently leaked documents, which also provide further detail into the alleged ‘disc to digital’ scheme that should launch in the runup to the firm’s ‘Project Helix’ console.
The Verge obtained screenshots of an alleged memo from Xbox to game publishers, seemingly pitching them on the pluses of supporting the company’s plan to broaden its emulation offerings and bridge the gap between physical and digital games. Should this leak hold water, in addition to providing details into both schemes, we now also know when Microsoft plans to bring them to market.
Starting with the most pertinent news for PC, we should expect Microsoft to publish additional OG Xbox games in October 2026, following the early access launch in July. Sometime during 2027 through 2028, the company will then make Xbox 360 games available to play via the same means, complete with cloud saves and achievements.
In the documents, Microsoft is keen to stress that it will handle the technical side of this delivery, including “engineering, the bespoke emulator, title-by-title certification and testing, storefront merchandising, and player support.” Meanwhile, publishers retain control of brand rights and pricing, providing they opt in to the programme at all.
Given the costs associated with ports, remasters, and remakes, the zero expense pitch of emulation should prove enticing to publishers. Microsoft highlights as much in the memo, in addition to the ability to reactivating long dormant titles, as well as timing re-releases for anniversaries or brand tie-ins including film/TV adaptations. It’s honestly difficult to see a downside for any party, including players.
This push for greater backwards compatibility extends across PC to handhelds as well as Project Helix. We’re still unsure whether the latter will feature an optical drive, but Microsoft plans to provide a means of translating physical copies to digital. After inserting a disc into an Xbox One or Series console, they’ll receive a digital licence that ties directly to the disc, which is revokable and transferable to other players should the copy move on to a new owner.
Requiring access to a prior generation console seems cumbersome, but there’s at least one route opening up for players to make the transition from disc to digital. Better still, this licence could theoretically travel from console to PC. I knew holding on to my copy of Lost Odyssey would pay off someday.
Microsoft is yet to confirm any of the above, and it sounds as if the company is still working on warming up publishers to its ideas. Hopefully, though, we should learn more come October following the expansion of OG Xbox releases on PC.
For more Xbox chatter, check out our ROG Xbox Ally X review to see how the the company’s handheld stacks up.
