Four years after ending its backwards compatibility program, Microsoft could rekindle the flame of the Xbox 360 on new platforms. According to the famous insider NateTheHate, an official emulator is currently in development to allow players to enjoy Xbox and Xbox 360 games again… on Windows.
The rumor surfaced at the beginning of December on the ResetEra forum, and has since been making the rounds in gaming communities. The tipster writes: “There is hope of making Xbox games (original Xbox and Xbox 360) backwards compatible on ROG and Windows.” If confirmed, this information would mark a strategic turning point for Microsoft, in a context where the preservation of video games has become a hot topic.
Towards official Xbox emulation on Windows and laptop PCs?
The initiative, still unofficial, would aim, according to Jez Corden (Windows Central), to develop a native Xbox emulator for Windowswith compatibility on machines like the ASUS ROG Ally X. In short: run old Xbox 360 games on modern laptops, via a stable, efficient… and above all legal software solution.
But the project is not without obstacles. NateTheHate himself tempers his comments: “Whether this will succeed or not remains uncertain; but efforts are underway.” The main obstacle? Licensing constraints, already at the origin of the program’s termination in 2021. Microsoft will have to renegotiate, one by one, the exploitation rights with the publishers for each title.
Which Xbox 360 games could return thanks to backwards compatibility?
There are many potentially affected games, especially those that were never included in the original program. Here are some titles popular with the community:
- Alpha Protocol
- Project Gotham Racing 4
- Eternal Sonata
- Blur
- Resonance of Fate
- Transformers: War for Cybertron
- The Simpsons Game
- The Saboteur
These classics, currently unplayable on Xbox Series without official backward compatibility, could benefit from a second life if the emulator sees the light of day. Especially since Microsoft’s future console, expected around the end of 2027, would be architected like a PC.
A strategic bet for Microsoft… and for video game preservation
This technical orientation would have a double advantage for Microsoft. First, it would offer perfect continuity between Xbox, Windows and cloud platforms. Then, it would appeal to players keen to preserve their game library, at a time when services are disappearing and physical media are becoming rarer.
Nothing has been decided, but everything seems to indicate a desire to reintegrate the games of the past into the Xbox ecosystem of tomorrow. A strong message for fans of the Xbox 360, a console which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and whose games remain unforgettable for many.