A big part of Microsoft’s Xbox One strategy for the past couple of years has been backwards compatibility for older titles running on the system. Until now players have been able to play selected Xbox 360 on the latest system, but starting tomorrow players will have access to a slightly older, curated, selection of titles from the Original Xbox.
Thirteen Original Xbox titles have been selected by Microsoft to come to the Xbox One, including (who can forget) Bill Gates’ favourite game, Fusion Frenzy. Other titles coming include Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (arguably one of the best games of that generation, argues I), Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Ninja Gaiden Black. For the full list of games, see below.
Players who still own their original game discs can put them straight into their Xbox One and play immediately, and of course the selection will be available digitally through the Microsoft Store.
Xbox Game Pass members will get Ninja Gaiden Black for free as part of their subscription.
It goes without saying the Original Xbox titles will no longer support Xbox LIVE as the servers for the system have been shut, and of course this was before the days of Achievements, so don’t go looking to these titles to boost your Gamerscore.
Microsoft says more Original Xbox games will come to the platform next year.
Additionally, with the launch of Xbox One X around the corner (November 7), Microsoft have announced select Xbox 360 titles will be “enhanced” on the new, beefier system. Microsoft states that they’re not touching the games themselves, but that these upgrades come through work on the system’s Xbox 360 emulator.
Halo 3, the original Assassin’s Creed, Oblivion, and Fallout 3 will be visible at a higher resolution, with a nine-fold increase in pixel count, and expanded colour palatte.
Full List of Original Xbox Games on Xbox One
- BLACK
- Bloodrayne 2
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- Dead to Rights
- Fusion Frenzy
- Grabbed by the Ghoulies
- King of Fighters Neowave
- Ninja Gaiden Black
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
- Psychonauts
- Red Faction II
- Sid Meier’s Pirates!
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
