Microsoft Expands Backward Compatibility to Thousands of Xbox 360 Games

Microsoft is expanding its backward compatibility strategy on PC, according to leaked documents. The tech giant plans to allow developers to opt-in for Xbox 360 games to be purchased and played on PCs via a gradual rollout between 2027 and 2028.

The service will initially be available on 'Xbox PCs,' Microsoft's upcoming Project Helix, and handheld devices. This move follows the recent announcement of four original Xbox games being made available for PC through Backward Compatibility for PC program.

Users who own digital copies of certain Xbox 360 titles may soon be able to play them on their PCs, a development that has been anticipated since at least 2017. The leaked document also mentions the disc-to-digital program, which allows owners of Xbox One and Xbox Series X game discs to obtain a digital license for the game across Xbox devices.