Dataminers hint at potential Xbox 360 backward compatibility for PC on the horizon.

Shortly after Microsoft launched four backward-compatible Xbox titles on PC—Blinx, Fuzion Frenzy, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live & Reloaded—dataminers dug into the files and uncovered an intriguing find: an Xbox 360 emulator, or something akin to it.

According to a security researcher named Milenko, unpacking Fuzion Frenzy revealed something even more interesting than a straightforward 360 emulator for PC. They discovered files linked to the Xe03 emulator, which powers Xbox 360 backward compatibility on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Specifically, it turns out that the newly released original Xbox backward-compatible games operate by first emulating an Xbox 360 through Xe03, which then handles the 360’s backward compatibility features. Essentially, the technology required to run original Xbox 360 games on PC is already in place.

This development suggests that it’s more a matter of “when” rather than “if” Xbox 360 games will arrive on PC, especially since Microsoft has just rolled out backward-compatible titles for the original Xbox. However, it may take some time before the company decides to make this leap.

In the announcement for original Xbox compatibility, Microsoft hinted at more games, achievements, and additional features on the way. The four original Xbox titles are priced at $9.99 each and come with customizable graphics settings, up to 4x resolution scaling, VSync support, fullscreen and windowed display modes, anisotropic filtering, and improved antialiasing. A particularly consumer-friendly aspect is that players who previously purchased these games digitally will have access to them at no extra cost.

Microsoft’s commitment to its legacy titles comes at a time when Sony faces criticism for discontinuing support for physical games on PlayStation, a move perceived as undermining digital ownership rights.

However, Microsoft is not without its own challenges, as it is currently laying off over 3,000 employees from its Xbox division. Notable studios like Ninja Theory are being sold, and the iconic id Software, known for creating Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein, has seen its workforce cut significantly. It’s clear that two of the three major console manufacturers are facing backlash from the gaming community right now.

Fuzion Frenzy, Blinx, and other selected titles are now available on PC.