Microsoft to bring Xbox 360 games to PC and next Xbox

Microsoft is reportedly planning a significant expansion of its backward compatibility efforts, with plans to bring a library of Xbox 360 games to PC and future Xbox hardware. The initiative, detailed in a leaked document sent to developers, would extend the company's recent push to preserve and modernize its classic game catalog.

According to the document, the Xbox 360 backward compatibility program for PC is expected to launch via a gradual rollout spanning 2027 and 2028. The service would allow game publishers to opt in to make their Xbox 360 titles available for purchase and play on PC, the upcoming next-generation Xbox console known as Project Helix, and compatible handheld devices. For each title, the publisher would retain control over commercial details such as pricing and whether the game is included in the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Microsoft would handle the technical engineering, certification, compatibility testing, and ongoing support, utilizing its existing emulation technology.

This move builds directly on a program Microsoft announced in July 2026, which brought four original Xbox games to PC. That initial offering is reportedly set for a full launch...