Microsoft explains Xbox One backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games

Microsoft built an Xbox 360 emulator inside Xbox One to play older games, and hopes all games eventually will be playable through an Xbox One console.

During the E3 2015 event, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games. This was a huge announcement, as backwards compatibility has been one of the most requested features by the community. Now, the company is taking the time to share more details on how the feature will work and to answer various questions.

Microsoft’s Major Nelson, Larry Hryb, explains on an interview with Bill Stillwell, that backwards compatibility it’s possible through an Xbox 360 emulator software that runs on top of Xbox One. The emulator offers all the features of an Xbox 360 console, such as matchmaking, achievements, friends, and chat. In addition, Xbox One owners can even take advantage of specific Xbox One features on Xbox 360 games, like recording and screenshots.

Bill Stillwell explains that Xbox One now recognizes Xbox 360 disc games and downloadable games will simply show up in your Xbox One games library. He also explains that virtually every game can be played via the emulator, but currently there are some limitations on games designed for Kinect as the peripheral won’t work on Xbox One and other USB peripherals aren’t supported either.

In addition, he says that there is also a limitation on licensing on which Xbox 360 games can be available on Xbox One, but eventually, the company hopes that all the 360 games will be playable on Xbox One – it will only take some time.

The new backwards compatibility feature is available now for Xbox One Preview members with a limited number of games, later this fall, when the Xbox 360 emulator is available to everyone, Microsoft plans to have at least 100 titles ready, and the catalog will just keep growing.

Source YouTube

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.