Original Xbox games will soon play on Xbox One with backwards compatibility

Microsoft is adding support to play original Xbox games on all Xbox One consoles.

Xbox One X console front corner
Xbox One X console front corner

You’ll soon be able to play original Xbox games on Xbox One. During its E3 event, Microsoft announced that along with Xbox 360 backwards compatibility, original Xbox games are coming to Xbox One, too, and not just on the new Xbox One X; this way backwards compatibility will come to Xbox One S and original Xbox One consoles.

Similar to the Xbox 360 games, Xbox backwards compatibility will be available for certain games. Initially, “Crimson Skies” will be the first title to make it to the list, but Microsoft will add more games over time.

Microsoft’s head of Xbox, Phil Spencer has also said that original Xbox games will look even better and play better on any Xbox One console. However, achievements won’t be supported for original games as this feature wasn’t implemented until Xbox 360.

While you’ll be able to insert the original disc to download the equivalent bits on your console, it’s still unclear if Microsoft will be giving away original Xbox games to Xbox Live Gold members.

Original Xbox backwards compatibility support will be available this year, and the company is also planning to let Xbox Insiders try this new support early, but it’ll take a few months. 

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.