Xbox Games Now Playable on PC with Backward Compatibility

Great news for fans looking to dive back into Blinx: The Time Sweeper in 2026! Microsoft has just revealed that select original Xbox games will be backward compatible on Windows PC, launching today in early access alongside four titles making their PC debut.

“This is just the start of a larger initiative to preserve classic Xbox games and bring them to PC over time. We’re not just letting you play them on PC; we’re also introducing new features to enhance your gaming experience,” said Jason Ronald, vice president of next generation at Xbox, in a post.

The four games available are:

Each title can be purchased on PC and is included in all Xbox Game Pass plans. If you already own digital licenses for these games on console, you can also play them on PC. The games are priced at $9.99, with the party game Fuzion Frenzy currently on sale for 75% off. New features include customizable graphics settings, up to 4x resolution scaling, Vsync support, fullscreen and windowed modes, anisotropic filtering, and improved antialiasing. Later this year, achievements will be added to select Xbox Originals on both PC and console, with more features planned for the future.

In contrast, Sony recently stirred up controversy by ending support for physical games on PlayStation consoles, raising concerns about game ownership among consumers. While the Xbox backward compatibility initiative was likely in the works before Sony’s announcement, Microsoft’s phrasing seems to take a jab at PlayStation. “Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC is another step toward preserving past games and making it easier for you to enjoy and play more of the titles you already own across your devices,” Ronald stated.

While this move may earn Microsoft some positive attention, it doesn’t overshadow the fact that the company is laying off 3,200 employees this year, including cuts at the renowned Doom developer id Software, and is selling off several well-regarded studios like Undead Labs and Ninja Theory. Both Microsoft and Sony have faced criticism from players recently, but the push for preserving classic games—yes, even Blinx—is a silver lining.

Studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine will be transitioning to independent status.