According to a recent report from Spanish YouTuber eXtas1s, Xbox is working on a significant backwards compatibility project tentatively called “Xbox Classics.” The initiative aims to improve emulation for original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles with enhanced stability and graphics.
The project involves creating a new advanced emulation platform that will integrate seamlessly across multiple devices, including Game Pass, PC, current consoles, portable hardware like the ROG Xbox Ally, and cloud streaming.
The rollout is reportedly planned for two major phases in 2026, coinciding with Xbox’s 25th anniversary, though specific dates remain unknown. Notably, Microsoft is said to be collaborating directly with the developers of the unofficial Xbox 360 Xenia emulator to help realize this effort.
A shortlist of games set to receive optimization includes Fable 2, Skate 3, Gears of War 3, and Batman: Arkham Asylum. These titles are expected to see improvements in stability, reduced errors, and better frame rates across PC and cloud platforms.
Additional titles under evaluation for compatibility include Def Jam: Fight for New York, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Castle Crashers, Darksiders 2, Prince of Persia (2008), Skate 2, and Left 4 Dead 2. The goal extends beyond nostalgia, aiming to enable smooth gameplay on portable devices and smart TVs as well.
The proposed system will provide three versions of each game—console, PC, and cloud—marking a significant improvement over the current console-focused compatibility that supports Xbox One and Series X|S.
As of now, these details remain unconfirmed rumors, but they suggest a comprehensive update to Xbox’s backwards compatibility scheduled for 2026.