Microsoft has revealed several new details about how the upcoming Xbox One backwards compatibility feature will work.
During a demonstration MS confirmed Xbox One owners will be able to play older titles online with gamers who own an Xbox 360, and also explained a bit more about what functionality the games will have.
The Xbox button on the controller will take you to the soon-to-be-revamped Xbox One home screen, but pressing the View and Menu buttons simultaneously will bring up the old Xbox 360 guide replete with all its features. Screenshots and DVR support are also present.
See a List of 360 Games That Work on Xbox One Today
As for why putting a disc in triggers a download, it was explained the system’s design means all games must be partially on the hard drive to run. Also it’s worth noting that while this is essentially software emulation, hardware won’t be supported so old Rock Band peripherals will still not won’t work.
Now as a word of caution, when the system launches this Holiday it’ll do so with over 100 titles, but publishers will need to give their permission for games to work. This does raise the question of whether those who’ve recently released HD Remasters will want to enable it right away.
Games Planned to Have Backwards Compatibility
- A Kingdom for Keflings
- A World of Keflings
- Alien Hominid HD
- Banjo-Kazooie
- Banjo-Tooie
- BattleBlock Theater
- Defense Grid
- Geometry Wars Evolved
- Hexic HD
- Jetpac Refuelled
- Kameo
- Mass Effect
- N+
- Perfect Dark
- Perfect Dark Zero
- Small Arms
- Super Meat Boy
- Toy Soldiers
- Toy Soldiers: Cold War
- Viva Piñata
- Viva Piñata: TIP
- Zuma
Microsoft has also added a specific section titled “Backwards Compatibility” on their Xbox Feedback page for the purpose of allowing users to vote on which games they may want added to the list of backwards compatible games, although this list is not a guarantee that the games will be added in the future.
