Xbox One Backwards Compatibility – What You Need to Know

mercredi 17 juin 2015

Xbox One Backwards Compatibility – What You Need to Know is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

Microsoft has given it a pretty clunky name, but never has there been a bigger feature added to the Xbox One entertainment console than the new options that let gamers play their Xbox 360 games on their new console. Microsoft calls it Xbox One backwards compatibility, and there’ll be almost no reasons left to not purchase an Xbox One.

Upgraders get the best of both worlds. The Xbox 360 has a huge library that’s still slowly growing. If Microsoft’s plan works out, gamers will be able to take their favorite titles with them when they do eventually upgrade. Users can have the latest features, while still playing the games they know and love. Better it, Xbox One backwards compatibility gives the Xbox Ones something that the PlayStation users can’t get without having to pay for PlayStation Now.

Here’s what you need to know about Xbox One backwards compatibility, and what Microsoft is promising to deliver and isn’t.

How Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Works

As described by Microsoft here at E3 2015, Xbox One backwards compatibility is almost magical in its simplicity. Microsoft and its publishers are working through their back catalogue of Xbox 360 games and adding support for Xbox One. Video game developers don’t have to rewrite their game. Instead, Microsoft emulates the Xbox 360 inside the Xbox One. For now, the number of Xbox 360 titles available on the Xbox One is fairly limited; the games and feature itself are just available for preview.

As far as the game knows, it’s still running on the Xbox 360. You have access to the same multiplayer modes that you did with the Xbox 360 version of the game. The familiar Xbox Guide from the Xbox 360 surfaces in each game. Your cloud game saves are synced to these Xbox One compatible versions of the game too. You can pick up where you left off in any title.

Microsoft says that video recording and screenshot sharing work for Xbox 360 games just like they do on the Xbox One. So does app snapping and so forth.

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Xbox One Backward Compatibility Is Free

The key to making Xbox One backwards compatibility relevant is ease of use. Microsoft can say that it supports backward compatibility all it wants, but if it’s too difficult to get going, no one will use it.

Digital Xbox 360 games that you’ve purchased and are supported on the Xbox One will surface in your Xbox One games library immediately. For now, you can see them in the My Games and Apps area of the Xbox One dashboard. They’re easily identifiable as they have their original cover complete with an Xbox 360 logo to the side. Download them to your console and you’re ready to go. Because Xbox 360 titles had smaller file sizes, the download should go by quickly.

For owners of disc-based Xbox 360 games there’s only a bit more work required for Xbox One backwards compatibility. Simply putting in your Xbox 360 game disc into your Xbox One unlocks a compatible version for the Xbox One. The same stipulations apply, not just any game will work; it’ll need to be among the titles supported. The game will install a companion digital version on your Xbox One. You’ll need to hang on to your disc to use that digital game that’s downloaded.

Titles That Support Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Available Today

Microsoft isn’t planning to fully launch Xbox One backwards compatibility until the Fall 2015. This gives the company the time they need to grow the library of games and work with partners on any issues that crop up.

Xbox 360 games available through Xbox One backwards compatibility today are:

A Kingdom of Keflings
A World of Keflings
Alien Hominid
Bango Kazooie
Bango Tooie
BattleBlock Theater
Defense Grid
Geometry Wars Evolved
Hexic HD
Jetpac Refueled
Kameo
Mass Effect
N+
Perfect Dark
Perfect Dark Zero
Super Meat Boy
Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers Cold War
Viva Piñata
Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise
Zuma

Microsoft plans to keep adding to this list as time goes on. Again, these are just the games Microsoft is making available to test the feature this summer. You can keep checking here for new titles.

How You Get Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Today

Unfortunately, Microsoft says Xbox One backwards compatibility won’t arrive on all Xbox One consoles until this fall. That being said, Microsoft has opened up the feature to members of the Xbox Preview Program for enthusiasts.

Read: What is the Xbox Preview Program?

To join the Xbox Preview Program you need an invite from someone already participating. Microsoft uses Xbox One consoles involved in the program to test new features and gather feedback about any issues. Don’t join the Xbox Preview Program unless you’re absolutely sure you are fine with hiccups and issues. Again, updates provided through the program aren’t done.

Good luck moving your video game collection from the Xbox 360 to the Xbox One using Xbox One backwards compatibility.

Xbox One Backwards Compatibility – What You Need to Know is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.