How Xbox backward compatibility works: The definitive Xbox 360 and Xbox games list and more
The Xbox Series X and Series S are both fully backward compatible with nigh-on every game that runs on Xbox One, and that means they can equally play Xbox 360 and original Xbox games too.
That’s a huge incentive for gamers who choose Xbox. Not only do they get the latest Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games to play, they can dip from a big library of compatible titles stretching back to the start of the 2000s.
But what games does it include and how does it work? We explain all there is to know about the Xbox backward compatibility system here.
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How does Xbox backward compatibility work?
The Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S are able to play Xbox 360 and original Xbox games through emulation software that makes your console think it’s a last generation machine for the purposes of playing classic games.
When a supported game is started on the machine, the current or last-gen console opens the emulator and, in all regards, the game works as if it was running on an Xbox 360 or 2001 Xbox. The opening screen appears first then the game will load.
All other aspects and features that would normally be available on an Xbox 360 or Xbox are available on the Xbox One/Series X/S too, including the hub on the former (which can be opened through a simultaneous press of the menu and view buttons on the Xbox wireless controller). In addition, all new features of the more recent Xbox consoles work, including the ability to take screen grabs and record and share video of gameplay.
Xbox Series X/S owners get additional bonuses too, with the latest consoles able to play many (if not all) of the backward compatible Xbox 360 and Xbox games with Auto HDR enabled. This adds virtual high dynamic range contrast and colours to make the titles look better. Plus, many titles have FPS Boost enabled. This ups the frame rate the fames play in, which provides a smoother experience.
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Does it cost me anything?
Xbox offers backward compatibility for free.
If you own a supported game already, you do not have to pay anything to play it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S.
Obviously, it costs to purchase new Xbox 360 or Xbox games that work on the machine.
Many of the games with backward compatibility are also available as part of a Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. For £10.99 a month, you get access to more than 300 games to download and play on your console, made up of a mix of classic Xbox 360 and Xbox games, plus many more Xbox One and Series X/S titles. You also get online gaming access through Xbox Live Gold, EA Play, Cloud Gaming, and even Game Pass for PC.
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Does it work with Xbox games I bought through Xbox store?
Xbox backward compatibility works with digital content as well as disc games. In fact, if you enter a supported disc into your Xbox One or Series X, the machine will download the game from the Xbox store first – although you will need the disc to be in the machine each time you play. This cannot work on an Xbox One S All-digital Edition or Xbox Series S, of course, as they do not feature disc drives.
If you own a digital copy of a supported game it appears in your games list ready for download. Check your My Games & Apps hub to see if any are listed among the games yet to be installed.
Can I buy Xbox 360 and Xbox games on my Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S?
Compatible Xbox 360 and Xbox games are listed for purchase on the Xbox game store. If you are an Xbox Live Gold member, you also get free Xbox 360 and/or original Xbox games to download each month alongside Xbox One titles as part of the Games for Gold scheme.
That usually means you get two free Xbox One games and two free backward compatible games a month.
Prices for the Xbox 360 and Xbox games on the online store vary, but start at around £5 / $5.
Can I carry on with my previous Xbox 360 game saves on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S?
If you originally set your Xbox 360 to save games to the cloud you will be able to download the save files to the Xbox One version and carry on. The cloud files are permanently associated with your gamertag so the Xbox One should do this automatically.
If you only saved your in-game progress locally, to the hard drive, you will need to restart your Xbox 360 and save them to the cloud instead. If you no longer have your Xbox 360, sadly you won’t be able to access the files.
Considering the first-gen Xbox didn’t save games to the cloud in the same way, you can’t carry on with old save games.
What games are available with Xbox backward compatibility?
There are 100s of Xbox 360 titles available as part of the backward compatibility scheme and a decent selection of original Xbox games.
Games like the original Guitar Hero and Rock Band series won’t work as they require proprietary accessories that aren’t compatible, nor do any that require with the original Kinect motion camera. Even if you have the Xbox One Kinect, it will not be compatible with previous Xbox 360 Kinect games.
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Full Xbox backward compatibility list
Here’s a full list of the original Xbox games that are available with backward compatibility for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S:
Armed and DangerousBlack *Blinx: The Time Sweeper *BloodRayne 2 *Breakdown *Conker: Live & Reloaded *Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge *Dead or Alive 3Dead to Rights *Destroy All Humans! *Disney’s Chicken Little *Full Spectrum Warrior *Fuzion Frenzy *GladiusGrabbed by the Ghoulies *GunvalkyrieHunter: The Reckoning *Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s TombJade Empire *King of Fighters Neowave *ManhuntMax PayneMax Payne 2: The Fall of Max PayneMercenaries: Playground of Destruction *MX Unleashed *Ninja Gaiden Black *Oddworld: Munch’s OddyseeOtogi: Myth of DemonsOtogi 2: Immortal WarriorsPanzer Dragoon Orta *Panzer Elite Action: Fields of Glory *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time *Psychonauts *Red Dead RevolverRed Faction II *Secret Weapons Over NormandySid Meier’s Pirates! *Sphinx and the Cursed MummySSX 3 *Star Wars Battlefront *Star Wars Battlefront II *Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the SithStar Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy *Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi OutcastStar Wars Jedi Starfighter *Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic *Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords *Star Wars Republic Commando *Star Wars Starfighter: Special EditionStar Wars: The Clone Wars *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind *TimeSplitters 2TimeSplitters: Future PerfectTom Clancy’s Splinter CellTom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double AgentTom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos TheoryTom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Pandora TomorrowUnreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict
And here’s a full list of the Xbox 360 games that are available with backward compatibility for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S:
0 day Attack on Earth3D Ultra Minigolf50 Cent: Blood on the SandA Kingdom for KeflingsA World of KeflingsAce Combat 6: Fires of LiberationAces of the GalaxyAdvent RisingAdventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless KingdomAegis WingAge of BootyAirMech ArenaAlan Wake *Alan Wake’s American NightmareAlaskan AdventuresAlice: Madness ReturnsAlien Hominid HDAliens vs PredatorAltered BeastAnomaly Warzone EarthAquaAre You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Arkanoid Live!Army of TwoAssassin’s Creed *Assassin’s Creed IIAssassin’s Creed IIIAssassin’s Creed IV Black FlagAssassin’s Creed Liberation HDAssassin’s Creed RogueAssassin’s Creed RevelationsAssault Heroes 2Asteroids & DeluxeAstropopAsura’s WrathAvatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning EarthAxel & PixelBabel RisingBand of BugsBanjo Kazooie *Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts *Banjo-Tooie *Bankshot Billiards 2Batman: Arkham OriginsBattleBlock TheaterBattlefield 2: Modern CombatBattlefield 3Battlefield 1943Battlefield: Bad CompanyBattlefield: Bad Company 2Battlestations: MidwayBattlestations PacificBayonettaBCFx *Beat’n GroovyBeautiful KatamariBejeweled 2Bejeweled 3Bellator: MMA OnslaughtBeyond Good & Evil HDBionic Commando Rearmed 2BioshockBioshock 2Bioshock InfiniteBinary Domain *Blood KnightsBlood of the WerewolfBloodforgeBloodRayne: BetrayalBlue DragonBomberman BattlefestBoom Boom RocketBorderlandsBorderlands 2Bound by FlameBraidBrain ChallengeBrave: The Video GameBrothers in Arms: Hell’s HighwayBrutal LegendBullet SoulBullet Soul -Infinite Burst-Bully Scholarship EditionBurnout ParadiseCabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013Cabela’s Hunting ExpeditionsCabela’s Survival: SoKCall of Duty 2Call of Duty 3Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareCall of Duty: Advanced WarfareCall of Duty: Black OpsCall of Duty: Black Ops IICall of Duty: GhostsCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Call of Duty: World at WarCall of Juarez: Bound in BloodCall of Juarez GunslingerCall of Juarez: The CartelCapcom Arcade CabinetCarcassonneCars: Mater-NationalCars 2: The Video GameCastle CrashersCastle of Illusion Starring Mickey MouseCastleStormCastlevania: Harmony of DespairCastlevania: Lords of ShadowCastlevania: Lords of Shadow 2Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate HDCastlevania: Symphony of the NightCatherineCentipede & MillipedeChild of EdenCivilization Revolution *ClannadCloning ClydeComic JumperComix ZoneCommand and Conquer 3 Kane’s WrathCommand and Conquer 3 Tiberium WarsCommand and Conquer Red Alert 3Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 Commander’s ChallengeCommanders: AttackConanCondemned: Criminal OriginsContraCostume QuestCostume Quest 2Counter-Strike: GoCrackdown *Crackdown 2Crazy TaxiCrysisCrysis 2Crysis 3Crystal DefendersDante’s InfernoDark SoulsDark VoidDarksiders *Darksiders IIDarwinia+Daytona USADe Blob 2Dead or Alive 4Dead or Alive UltimateDeadfall AdventuresDeadliest WarriorDeadly PremonitionDead Rising 2: Case WestDead Rising 2: Case ZeroDead SpaceDead Space 2 *Dead Space 3 *Dead Space IgnitionDeadliest Warrior: LegendsDeath by CubeDeathspank T.O.V.Defense Grid: The AwakeningDeus Ex: Human RevolutionDeus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s CutDig DugDiRT 3DiRT ShowdownDiscs of TronDisney BoltDisney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of TwoDisney UniverseDivinity II – The Dragon Knight SagaDomino MasterDoomDoom IIDoom 3: BFG EditionDoritos Crash CourseDouble Dragon: NeonDragon Age 2 *Dragon Age: Origins *Dragon’s LairDriver San FranciscoDuck Tales: RemasteredDuke Nukem ForeverDungeon Siege IIIDungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of MystaraE4Earth Defense Force 2017Earth Defense Force 2025Earth Defense Force: Insect ArmageddonEarthworm Jim HDEat LeadElements of DestructionEnchanted ArmsEncleverment ExperimentEnslaved: Odyssey to the WestEscape Dead IslandF1 2014Fable Anniversary *Fable II *Fable II Pub GamesFable III *Fable HeroesFaery: Legends of AvalonFallout 3 *Fallout: New Vegas *Far Cry 2Far Cry 3 *Far Cry 3 Blood DragonFar Cry ClassicFar Cry Instincts PredatorF.E.A.R. *F.E.A.R. 2: Project OriginF.E.A.R. 3 *F.E.A.R. FilesFeeding FrenzyFeeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck ShowdownFighting VipersFinal Fantasy XIII *Final Fantasy XIII-2 *Final Fight: Double ImpactFlashbackFlock!Forza Horizon *Foul PlayFret NiceFroggerFrogger 2From DustFrontlines: Fuel of WarFuelFunTown MahjongGalagaGalaga LegionsGalaga Legions DXGarou: Mark of the WolvesGatling GearsGears of War *Gears of War 2 *Gears of War 3 *Gears of War: Judgment *Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions EvolvedGeometry Wars: Retro EvolvedGeometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2GhostbustersGhostbusters: Sanctum of SlimeGin RummyGirl FightGo! Go! Break SteadyGoat SimulatorGolden AxeGolf: Tee it Up!Grand Theft Auto IV + Episodes from Liberty CityGrand Theft Auto: San AndreasGreg Hastings Paintball 2Grid 2Grid AutosportGripshiftGuardian HeroesGunstar HeroesGyromancerGyrussHalf-Minute Hero -Super Mega Neo Climax-Halo 3 *Halo 3: ODST Campaign EditionHalo 4Halo: Combat Evolved AnniversaryHalo: ReachHalo: Spartan AssaultHalo WarsHard Corps: UprisingHardwood BackgammonHardwood HeartsHardwood SpadesHarms WayHaunted HouseHeavy WeaponHexic 2Hexic HDHitman: AbsolutionHitman: Blood MoneyHitman HD PackHydro ThunderHydrophobiaI Am AliveIkarugaIlomiloInfinite DiscoveryInjustice: Gods Among UsInsanely Twisted Shadow PlanetInterpolIron BrigadeIslands of WakfuJeremy McGrath’s OffroadJet Set RadioJetpac RefuelledJewel QuestJoe Danger 2: The MovieJoe Danger Special EditionJoustJoy Ride TurboJujuJurassic Park: The GameJust CauseJust Cause 2Kameo: Elements of Power *Kane & Lynch 2Killer is DeadKingdoms of Amalur: ReckoningKOF Sky StageLara Croft and the Guardian of LightLara Croft Tomb Raider AnniversaryLazy RaidersLeft 4 Dead *Left 4 Dead 2 *Lego BatmanLego Batman 2: DC Super HeroesLego Indiana JonesLego Indiana Jones 2Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video GameLego Star Wars: The Complete SagaLego Star Wars II: The Original TrilogyLego Star Wars III: The Clone WarsLego The Lord of the Rings *Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII *LimboLode RunnerLost OdysseyLost PlanetLost Planet 2Lost Planet 3Lost Planet ColoniesLumines Live!Luxor 2Mad TracksMadballs Babo: InvasionMafia 2Magic 2012Magic 2013Magic 2014 – Duels of the PlaneswalkersMagic: The GatheringMarathon: DurandalMarlow Briggs and the Mask of DeathMars: War LogsMass EffectMass Effect 2Mass Effect 3Matt Hazard: BBBMax Payne 3Medal of Honor Airborne *Meet the RobinsonsMega Man 9Mega Man 10Metal Gear Rising: RevengeanceMetal Gear Solid 2 and 3 HDMetal Gear Solid Peace Walker HD EditionMetal Slug 3Metal Slug XXMidnight Club: Los AngelesMidway Arcade OriginsMight & Magic Clash of HeroesMilitary MadnessMini NinjasMirror’s Edge *Missile CommandMonaco: What’s Yours is MineMonday Night CombatMonkey Island: Special EditionMonkey Island 2: Special EditionMonopoly DealMonopoly PlusMoon DiverMortal KombatMortal Kombat vs. DC UniverseMotocross MadnessMr Driller OnlineMs Pac-ManMs. Splosion ManMutant Blobs Attack!!!Mutant Storm EmpireMutant Storm ReloadedMX vs. ATV AliveMX vs. ATV ReflexMX vs. ATV UntamedN+NBA Jam: On Fire EditionNeoGeo Battle ColiseumNew Rally-XNier *Nights into Dreams…Nin2-JumpNinja Gaiden IINinja Gaiden 3: Razor’s EdgeNovadromeOf Orcs and MenOFP: Red RiverOmega FiveOnechanbara: Bikini Samurai SquadOperation Flashpoint: Dragon RisingOrcs Must Die!OutlandOutpost Kaloki XOverlordOverlord IIPac-ManPac-Man: Championship EditionPac-Man: Championship Edition DX+Pac-Man MuseumPegglePeggle 2Perfect Dark *Perfect Dark Zero *Persona 4 ArenaPeter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the MoviePhantasy Star IIPhantom Breaker: Battle GroundsPinball FXPlanets Under AttackPlants vs. ZombiesPoker SmashPort Royale 3 Pirates & MerchantsPortal 2 *Portal: Still Alive *PreyPrince of PersiaPrince of Persia ClassicPrince of Persia The Forgotten SandsPurePutty SquadPuzzle QuestPuzzle Quest 2Puzzle Quest GalactrixPuzzlegeddonQix++Quake Arena ArcadeQuantum ConundrumR-Type DimensionsRageRaiden IVRaskullsRAW – Realms of Ancient WarRayman 3 HDRayman LegendsRayman OriginsRayman Raving RabbidsRed Dead Redemption *Red Faction: ArmageddonRed Faction: BattlegroundsResident Evil: Operation Raccoon City *Resident Evil Code: Veronica XRidge Racer 6RioRisenRisen 2: Dark WatersRoboBlitzRock of Ages *Rocket KnightRockstar Table TennisRumble Roses XXRunner2R.U.S.E.Sacred 2: Fallen AngelSacred 3Sacred CitadelSaints RowSaints Row 2Saints Row IVSaints Row: Gat Out of HellSaints Row: The ThirdSam & Max Save the WorldSam & Max Beyond Time & SpaceSamurai Shodown IIScarygirlScrambleScrap MetalScreamRideScrewjumper!Sega Bass FishingSega Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd & Co.Sega Vintage Collection: Golden AxeSega Vintage Collection: Monster WorldSega Vintage Collection: Streets of RageSega Vintage Collection: Toejam & EarlSensible World of SoccerShadow Assault/TenchuShadow ComplexShadowrunShadows of the DamnedShank 2ShinobiShotest ShogiShred NebulaSid Meier’s Civilization RevolutionSilent Hill: DownpourSilent Hill: HD CollectionSilent Hill HomecomingSine MoraSkateSkate 2Skate 3 *SkydiveSkullgirlsSlender: The ArrivalSmall ArmsSniper Elite V2Soltrio SolitaireSonic 4 Episode IISonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed *Sonic & KnucklesSonic AdventureSonic Adventure 2Sonic CDSonic Generations *Sonic The FightersSonic The HedgehogSonic The Hedgehog 2Sonic The Hedgehog 3Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode ISonic Unleashed *SoulcaliburSoulcalibur II HDSouth Park: The Stick of TruthSpace ArkSpace GiraffeSpace Invaders Infinity GeneSpec Ops: The LineSpelunkySplit/SecondSplosion ManSpongeBob Squarepants Underpants Slam!SpongeBob’s Truth or SquareSSXStackingStar Ocean: The Last HopeStar Wars: The Force Unleashed *Star Wars: The Force Unleashed IISteins; Gate Hiroin’s Love of LoveSteins; Gate Linear Restraint FenogramSteins; Gate (original version)StraniaStreet Fighter IVStuntman: IgnitionSuper CobraSuper Meat BoySuper Puzzle Fighter II TurboSuper Street Fighter IV: Arcade EditionSupreme Commander 2SwitchballSyberiaSyndicateTecmo Bowl ThrowbackTekken 6Tekken Tag Tournament 2Texas Hold ‘EmThe Bureau: XCOM DeclassifiedThe DarknessThe Darkness IIThe CaveThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion *The First TemplarThe King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited MatchThe King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate MatchThe King of Fighters XIIIThe MawThe Misadventures of PB WinterbottomThe Orange Box *The OutfitThe SplattersThe Walking DeadThe Walking Dead: MichonneThe Walking Dead: Season TwoThe Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings *ThrillvilleThrillville: Off the RailsTicket to RideTime PilotTimeShiftTom Clancy’s EndwarTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Advanced WarfighterTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future SoldierTom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six VegasTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist *Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction *Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent *Tomb Raider: LegendTomb Raider UnderworldToo HumanTorchlightTour de France 2009Tour de France 2011Tower Bloxx DeluxeToy SoldiersToy Soldiers: Cold WarToy Story Mania!Toybox TurbosTrials EvolutionTrials HDTriggerheart ExelicaTrine 2Tron: EvolutionTropico 4Ugly Americans: ApocalypsegeddonUnbound SagaUndertowUnreal Tournament IIIVandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment *VanquishVirtua Fighter 2Virtua Fighter 5 Final ShowdownVirtual-OnViva Piñata *Viva Piñata: Party AnimalsViva Piñata: Trouble In Paradise *WarlordsWolfenstein 3DWord PuzzleXCOM: Enemy UnknownXCOM: Enemy WithinYosumin! LiveZone of Enders HD CollectionZumaZuma’s Revenge
* These games are enhanced for Xbox One X and the Series X/S, which means they have frame rate and/or resolution enhancements when played on those machines. Many games will also work with the Series X/S Auto HDR function.
