Backwards compatibility is finally coming to PC, with Xbox announcing the initiative with four original Xbox classics now available to download on your desktop or handheld PC of choice.
Starting today, you’ll be able to download and play Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Conker: Live and Reloaded, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge on PC. If you own these games already, or are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass, you’ll automatically see them in your library via the Xbox app, as well as the option to purchase them if you don’t. Xbox says that this is just the start of its backwards-compatibility efforts on PC, with the program still in an early-release phase.
The releases come with a variety of enhancements, including 4x resolution scaling, customizable graphics modes, fullscreen and windowed support, language settings, and more. In the future, Xbox says it plans to also introduce Achievements to this selection of games and those that release in the future.
Backaward compatibilty on PC is supported on most Windows hardware, including the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X. You’ll need to meet the following hardware specifications if you plan to dive into Xbox’s storied gaming history:
Minimum
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550 or Intel UHD 770 or Intel Arc A310
- CPU: Min 4 Cores Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A Processor
- RAM: 8GB
- OS: Windows 11
- Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026
Recommended
- GPU: Radeon RX 68005 or Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti or Intel Arc A770
- CPU: 6 cores and 12 threads Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme
- DirectX Version: DirectX12 API, Hardware Feature Level 11
- GPU VRAM: 8GB
- OS: Windows 11
- Drivers and Versions: Latest Version as of January 2026
Following Sony’s announcement that it will end physical disc production from 2028, reports have suggested that Xbox is preparing a disc-to-digital program as it plans to ship its next-generation console, Project Helix, without a disc drive
