Microsoft is working on making Xbox 360 games playable on PC and next-generation Xbox devices, according to a recently leaked document obtained by The Verge. This initiative aims to extend backwards compatibility to “Xbox PCs,” which likely includes PCs running the Xbox app as well as handheld devices such as the Asus ROG Xbox Ally.
The document outlines that developers will be given the ability to enable backward compatibility for their Xbox 360 titles on these platforms. They can also control pricing, availability, and whether to add their games to the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Microsoft plans to roll out these features gradually across next-gen devices and compatible PCs between 2027 and 2028.
Backward Compatibility and Project Helix Integration
The leaked material specifies that Xbox 360 games will operate on Project Helix, Microsoft’s upcoming next-generation Xbox hardware. Project Helix is expected to support a broad range of Windows-based PC titles alongside Xbox games, suggesting a shift towards greater interoperability between Xbox consoles and PCs.
This move follows Microsoft’s recent announcement of original Xbox games coming to PC, which is scheduled for release in October 2026. Bringing backward compatibility for Xbox 360 games represents the next phase of expanding legacy titles across Microsoft’s ecosystem, encompassing Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
Digital Licensing and Physical Disc Integration
The document also references an evolving digital licensing system linked to Xbox One and Series game discs. This initiative will allow players to insert a physical game disc into compatible consoles and receive a corresponding digital licence. The licence will be tied to both the user’s Xbox account and the physical disc, facilitating licence transfer and sharing between users.
This disc-to-digital conversion feature was expected to launch in beta recently but has reportedly been delayed. It is anticipated to accompany the launch of Project Helix, which is believed to be a disc-less console, indicating Microsoft’s ongoing shift toward digital distribution.
While Microsoft has not officially confirmed these plans, the leaked document provides the most comprehensive insight yet into how backward compatibility and digital licensing might evolve on the Xbox platform and PC moving forward.
The gradual roll-out of Xbox 360 game support on PC and next-gen Xbox devices starting in 2027 marks a significant step in Microsoft’s strategy to unify and extend accessibility of its game library across platforms.
