Xbox 360 Backwards Capability

For the designers of the Xbox 360, backwards capability was a must. Microsoft went about making Xbox games compatible with the Xbox 360 in a different way than the PlayStation 3 or Wii. Instead of including a miniature version of the original Xbox embedded inside the 360, Microsoft forces you to have a hard drive (which came on all but one bundle version) and an online connection to the Xbox, if you don't want to wait for a disc mailed from Microsoft.

Understanding Xbox 360 Backwards Capability

Updates from Microsoft is how past Xbox games can be played. These updates allow the 360 to 'understand' those older games. There are three ways you can get that update. The first is through Xbox Live. This is the quickest and most immediate way because you will be able to play those newly added games right away. The second way to get the update is to burn the update file to a CD or DVD to place in your Xbox. The last way is to order the update disc directly from Xbox.com. Obtaining the disc is free... all you pay for is the waiting time.

The Games

There are many Xbox games that are backwards capable games for the Xbox 360, but why don't they include all the games? Because the Xbox 360 relies on software emulators to run the game (so that's what the updates are), it takes time to make the transition from Xbox-playable to Xbox 360-playable. When they ported Halo, it was easy to update most of the first person shooter games because the technology was very similar. The same goes for 3D platformers and puzzle games alike. If there is a particular game that you'd like to see Xbox 360 backwards capable, then you can email Microsoft at backcomp@microsoft.com. The developers have a core set of games they work on, but they also go with games that have the popular vote, so you might be playing From Russia With Love on the 360 yet!

=Quick List of Backwards Compatible Games

• Amped 1 & 2
• Atari Anthology
• Bad Boys 2 (that's right, enjoy)
• Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 & 2
• Big Mutha Truckers
• Brute Force
• Burnout 1, 2, & 3
• Dead or Alive 3
• Dead to Rights
• Doom 3
• Most of the ESPN sports games
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City & San Andreas
• Halo 1 & 2
• All the Harry Potters
• Lego Star Wars 1 & 2
• Playboy: The Mansion (lest we forget!)
• Project Gotham Racing 1 & 2
• All the Star Wars games
• All the Tom Clancy Games
• Zathura (lucky for those 4 people who own this game)

Will All the Games be Backwards Capable?

Eventually. Right now, Microsoft goes by two criteria: how popular the game is and how easy is it to make it backwards capable. Something else to keep in mind about Xbox 360 backwards capability for you gamers that might be getting mad waiting for a particular game: is there a version of the game of the 360? Some games had a special edition released or with added content. While technically the same game, these special editions work independently of needing a software emulator. If you truly want a game to be backward capable and it has not released in an update, just be patient.

Backwards Capability Issues

Since a software emulator runs those older games, there are bound to be some problems. In about 40% of the games you will encounter graphics issues (ghosting, choppiness), sound issues (choppiness, missing audio), and other problems (no start-up screen). Most of the issues can be fixed by restarting the game or changing some settings. This is the downside to using an emulator and should not be what stops you from enjoying those Xbox games.

Backwards Capability is a Good Thing

Consoles that are not backwards capable get ridiculed. There is no reason that any future console should not have the capabilities of playing older games. It would just be attributed to laziness if the console maker didn't allow this to happen. The Xbox 360 backwards capability was a good decision, especially with the library of Xbox games still available and still being made.