Microsoft Reveals Details on Xbox 360 Backwards Compatability
Microsoft has finally revealed the details on backwards compatability on the Xbox 360 and the news is surprisingly good. More than 200 titles have been confirmed to work at launch and more will be added all the time.
Getting the Emulation Software
There will be three ways to get the latest emulation software. If you have Xbox Live you can just connect and the newest software will be downloaded automatically.
If you don't have Xbox Live, you can order a disk from Xbox.com (you just pay shipping) or you can download the software and burn the CD yourself. Other than paying shipping if you order a CD, taking advantage of backwards compatability is completely free.
Benefits of Backwards Compatability
Xbox games played on the Xbox 360 will be enhanced in a couple of ways. First, every game will be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, so if you have an HDTV your Xbox games are going to look even better than ever. The other way it will look better is that it will take advantage of anti-aliasing which will produce a much sharper picture than was possible on the Xbox.
The Games
While the backward compatibility list hasn't been updated for a while now, there are more than 400 games that are BC on Xbox 360 including Halo, Halo 2, Knights of the Old Republic I and II, Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden Black, Dead or Alive 3, Fable, Forza Motorsport, Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, San Andreas, Half-Life 2, Need for Speed Underground 2, and many more.
For a complete listing, see our full list here.
Getting the Emulation Software
There will be three ways to get the latest emulation software. If you have Xbox Live you can just connect and the newest software will be downloaded automatically.
If you don't have Xbox Live, you can order a disk from Xbox.com (you just pay shipping) or you can download the software and burn the CD yourself. Other than paying shipping if you order a CD, taking advantage of backwards compatability is completely free.
Benefits of Backwards Compatability
Xbox games played on the Xbox 360 will be enhanced in a couple of ways. First, every game will be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, so if you have an HDTV your Xbox games are going to look even better than ever. The other way it will look better is that it will take advantage of anti-aliasing which will produce a much sharper picture than was possible on the Xbox.
The Games
While the backward compatibility list hasn't been updated for a while now, there are more than 400 games that are BC on Xbox 360 including Halo, Halo 2, Knights of the Old Republic I and II, Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden Black, Dead or Alive 3, Fable, Forza Motorsport, Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, San Andreas, Half-Life 2, Need for Speed Underground 2, and many more.
For a complete listing, see our full list here.