Microsoft’s backward compatibility program returns for Xbox with 76 new games

[ad_1]

Microsoft suspended the Xbox backward compatibility program two years ago, but it’s back today for a final catalog update. To celebrate 20 years of Xbox, Microsoft is now adding 76 new games (full list below) to its backward compatibility library today. It’s a surprisingly long list of add-ons, including the entire Max Payne series, Skate 2, Dead or Alive Ultimate, and Star Wars Jedi Knight II.

“This latest and final addition to over 70 titles to the backward compatibility program was made possible only through passion and feedback from the community,” explains Peggy Lo, Head of Xbox Compatibility Program. “[Xbox fans’] Ongoing requests for specific titles and improvements have encouraged the Reverse Compatibility team to partner with the original creators to preserve thousands of games from over four generations of Xbox.”

Every original Xbox or Xbox 360 game added today will support Auto HDR on Xbox Series X/S consoles, and original Xbox games will include a resolution boost as well. Xbox One X and Xbox Series X owners will see a 4x increase in accuracy on original Xbox games, with a 3x increase on Xbox Series S, and a 2x increase on Xbox One S and Xbox One consoles.

11 games get FPS Boost mode, with 76 games supporting Auto HDR. Image: Microsoft

FPS Boost is also enabled in 11 of the titles added today, doubling the original frame rate up to 60fps. FPS Boost also brings up to 26 backwards compatible games today, including the entire Gears of War franchise, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas. You can find the full list of FPS Boost titles here.

While Microsoft said two years ago that it “has no plans to add additional original Xbox or Xbox 360 titles to the catalog,” the surprise addition of more than 70 games would be the last time we’ll see new backward-compatible games. “While we continue to focus on maintaining and improving the art form of games, we have reached the limit of our ability to bring new games into the catalog from the past due to licensing, legal and technical limitations,” explains Peggy Lo.

However, the list does include classics like Ridge Racer 6 and TimeSplitters 2. These titles alone may tempt many fans of these classics to buy an Xbox Series X or Series S console to enjoy them again.

Microsoft is also rolling out an FPS Boost to 33 games on Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud), including Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and The Evil within 2. You can find the full list of xCloud boosted games here.

Here is the full list of the 76 new backward compatible games on Xbox that arrived today:

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand Aces of the Galaxy Advent Rising Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Make a Class Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth Bankshot Billiards 2 Beautiful Katamari Binary Domain Black College Football X Experience: Doug Williams Ed Cloning Clyde Conan Darwinia + Dead or Alive Ultimate Dead or Alive 3 Dead or Alive 4 Death by Cube Disney Universe Disney’s Chicken Little Elements of Destruction FEARFEAR 2: Project Origin FEAR 3 FEAR Files First Templar Gladius Gunvalkyrie Islands of Wakfu Lego The Lord of the Rings Manhunt Max Payne Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Max Payne 3 Mini Ninjas Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat vs . DC Universe MX vs. ATV Alive MX vs. ATV Untamed NIER Novadrome Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad Otogi: Myth of Demons Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors The Outfit Outpost Kaloki X Quake Arena Arcade RAW – Realms of Ancient Evil Resident Evil Red Dead Revolver : Operation Raccoon City Ridge Racer 6 Rio Risen Risen 2: Dark Waters Rock of Ages Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Scramble Screwjumper! Secret Weapons Over Normandy Skate 2 SpongeBob SquarePants Peace Pants! SpongeBob’s Truth or Square Star Wars Starfighter: Special Edition Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith Star Wars: The Clone Wars Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Switchball Thrillville Thrillville: Off the Rails Time Pilot TimeSplitters 2 TimeSplitters: Future Perfect Toy Story Mania! Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgment Viva Piñata: Party Animals Warlords

[ad_2]