Since 2015, the backward compatibility program for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S has made it possible for gamers around the globe to discover and replay thousands of games spanning our 20-year history.

For a better understanding of how the Xbox One Backward Compatibility program works and how titles are released, listen to this podcast for additional details.

In order to address a number of the questions and concerns I receive about Xbox One Backward Compatibility, I wanted to update my previous post on the topic with an overview of the capability, address some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and mention the most important element of Backward Compatibility – the current list of Xbox One Backward Compatibly titles (Download the list as a .pdf file).

For more details about the graphics setting that enables switching between enhanced or original graphics on Xbox 360 titles enhanced for Xbox One X, click here.

UPDATE (November 15, 2021): Today, we’re excited to add 70+ Xbox 360 and original Xbox games to our backward compatibility catalog in celebration of our 20th anniversary. This includes many of your top requested favorites including: 

• The entire Max Payne series and the F.E.A.R. franchise are now playable on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles for the very first time.
• The entire Skate franchise is now complete with the addition of Skate 2 and playable on both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.  
• We also heard the desire for more original Xbox titles to be added to the catalog. We are pleased to announce we were able to bring more than 20+ original Xbox titles to an entire new generation of gamers, including Dead or Alive Ultimate, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II, Star Wars: Starfighter, and Otogi franchises.  

 You can play these games today if you own them on disc or digitally, and the vast majority can be purchased digitally by new players in the Microsoft Store starting later today.

Read more about Xbox One Backward Compatibility at Xbox Wire.

Xbox One Backward Compatibility List

(Last Update: November 15, 2021)

* This title may not be available in all regions and/or may not be available for purchase digitally in the Xbox Store. Previous owners of the disc/digital versions of these titles should still be able to play them on an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console.

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Backward Compatibility Features:

• Available at no additional cost; you don’t have to pay to play games you already own.
• Keep your Xbox 360 game saves, game add-ons, achievements, and Gamerscore.
• Enjoy the advanced features of your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S like Game DVR, Screenshots and Windows 10 streaming.
• Play multiplayer with your friends no matter which console they’re on.
• Works with disc-based and digital games.

TIP: If you use Cloud Saved Games, your saved game data will be accessible on whichever console you’re playing on.

How to install and play Xbox 360 backward compatible games on your Xbox One

• Disc: For disc-based games that are a part of the Back Compat game catalog, simply insert the disc and the console will begin downloading the game to your hard drive. After the game has finished downloading, you will still need to keep the game disc in the drive to play.
• Digital: The digital titles that you own and are part of the Back Compat game catalog will automatically show up in the “Ready to Install” section on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, and once they are installed they will show up in the Games section of your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.

TIP: To open the Xbox 360 dashboard from within the Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S environment, hold the view and menu buttons.

How to purchase Xbox 360 games if you don’t own an Xbox 360

If you want to purchase an Xbox 360 title and don’t own or have access to an Xbox 360, you can still purchase the game digitally online from the Xbox Store. Simply log into your account at www.xbox.com and navigate to the catalog of Xbox 360 titles. Once you select a title, you will see the option to download it to your Xbox 360. Clicking on the download button actually brings up the purchasing screen. Once you purchase the game and the transaction is complete, the game will be registered to your account.

A few things to note:

• You have to have a valid payment option on file to purchase any title.
• If a game is free, you’re still required to “purchase” it – you just won’t be charged anything for it.
• The Xbox 360 Marketplace and the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Store websites use different architecture, so if you have credit but no payment option associated with your account, you won’t be able to use the credit to purchase Xbox 360 titles. You will have to add a payment option or purchase the title using an Xbox 360 console.
• Not all Xbox 360 games are backward compatible with Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S but we will be adding more on a regular basis. Check the current list of supported games here.

TIP: Every month Xbox Live Gold members get two free Xbox One and two free Xbox 360 games with the Games With Gold program. You can redeem these free games at www.xbox.com whether you own the console or not – as long as you have an account. If you don’t own an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S and decide to purchase one in the future, you’ll already have a collection of games available to you. And if you don’t own an Xbox 360 and the games are added to the list of backward compatible games, you’ll be able to play them on your Xbox One.

Xbox One Backward Compatibility Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you give us a hint or confirm if (insert title here) is coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility?

A: I cannot. Sorry. I’ll tweet out when we update the list of games that are backward compatible.

Q: I read on a gaming blog/news site that a certain game is coming to back compat. Can you give us a hint or confirm when it is coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility?

A: Any official Xbox One back compat news is posted on my twitter feed. Follow @majornelson to find out first. Additionally, the list at the top of this page (scroll up) will be updated with each backward compatibility update. That is the only information we have shared at this time. Specific title availability dates are not available.

Q: What date is (insert title here) coming to Xbox One Backward Compatibility?

A: Unless it is on the list of current titles that are BC (at the top of this page) I can’t say. No hints will be given.

Q: HEY! I’d like (insert title here) to be playable on Xbox One? MAKE THAT HAPPEN!

A: If you want an Xbox 360 game to be played on Xbox One via backward compatibility, you should contact the game publisher.

Q: Hey…how about a hint when the next title being added to the Xbox One Back Compatibility list will be announced?

A: Sorry, but I cannot. I will update this post and tweet it out when we update the list.

Q: Why can’t you even hint at when/if a title is coming to Xbox One Back Compatibility ?

A: I’ll let you know when a new title is added to the list. That is the best I can do right now. You may not like it, but that is the answer.

Q: If I gather up my friends and we constantly tweet at you or other members of the Xbox team about a title we want for BC, that will make it happened right ?

A: No. Not at all.

Q: Why won’t that work? How are titles selected to be released to BC?

A: Listen to this podcast as it explains a lot about the process.

Frequently Asked Questions from the official Xbox Backward Compatible Support page:

Q: Does backward compatibility cost extra?

A: No. Xbox One Backward Compatibility is free and allows you to play select Xbox 360 games you already own on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.

Q: Is Xbox Live Gold required for backward compatibility?

A: No. Xbox Live Gold is not required for Xbox One Backward Compatibility. However, it is required for any standard Xbox Live Gold feature like online multiplayer.

Q: Can I play games online with my friend if I’m on my Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S playing an Xbox 360 game and they are on an Xbox 360?

A: Yes, you can play backwards compatible games with your friends whether they are playing on Xbox One or Xbox 360.

Q: How are titles selected?

A: We started with some of the most popular and highest rated Xbox 360 titles. We listened to our fans and worked with our partners to bring as many titles as we could to the program. We’ll continue to update this page if more titles are added in the future. 

Q: Will the DLC for backward compatible titles be available too?

A: Yes. If you own the DLC, you can install and use it just like you do on the Xbox 360. To install DLC you own, go to the Manage Game section for that specific title and install the DLC to your drive.

Q: Can I plug my removable hard drive from my Xbox 360 into my Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S?

A: No. The Xbox 360 Hard Drive is not compatible with the Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. If you have an Xbox Live profile on Xbox 360, the profile will automatically download to your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console during setup.

For more information about Backward Compatibility, check out the official Xbox Support page here.

NOTE: This page may be periodically updated.