A recent report from Spanish YouTuber eXtas1s reveals that Xbox is working on a significant backwards compatibility project, provisionally named “Xbox Classics.” This initiative aims to enhance emulation for original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles.
According to eXtas1s’ insider source at Microsoft, “Xbox Classics” will be an advanced emulation platform designed to run classic games with improved stability and graphics. It will integrate fully with Game Pass and support play across PC, current consoles, portable devices like the ROG Xbox Ally, and cloud gaming.
The rollout may occur in two waves during 2026, coinciding with Xbox’s 25th anniversary, though exact dates have not been confirmed.
Notably, Microsoft is reportedly collaborating directly with the developers of the unofficial Xbox 360 Xenia emulator to realize this project. This partnership could bring deeper technical improvements.
A shortlist of games slated for optimization includes Fable 2, Skate 3, Gears of War 3, and Batman: Arkham Asylum. These titles will benefit from enhanced stability, higher frame rates, and compatibility across PC and cloud platforms.
Other potential games under evaluation are 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, pending technical and licensing approvals.
The goal is to deliver classic games that perform better than ever across multiple devices, including portable hardware and smart TVs, not just consoles.
Xbox plans to offer three concurrent versions of each game: optimized for console, PC, and cloud, marking a shift from the current console-focused compatibility on Xbox One and Series consoles.
While the details remain unconfirmed and should be treated as unverified, the comprehensive nature of the report suggests a major backwards compatibility overhaul could arrive in 2026.