Alright, so before the sun finally disappears over the horizon, here’s something important for your knowledge-from-dayone: Microsoft might have some greater moves in store for PC users. There’s been a late rumor that Microsoft will allow Original Xbox and Xbox 360 games onto the PC, and honestly? That should have happened ages ago. The rumor mill is a boiling pot of speculation; especially from those who keep their consoles dust-free to play Fable 2 or Jet Set Radio Future again. So let’s try not to party on those hopes too much.
Up until now, it’s still considered just a leak. There has been no kind of official announcement from Microsoft. And yet, how can one ignore all this noisy online buzzing? Basically, the aim would be to introduce backward compatibility on PC so gamers don’t have to dig out an original Xbox to play those fondly remembered gems. And gamers are tossing around wish lists so fast they can’t be captured: Burnout Revenge, Prototype 1+2, SSX Tricky, even Kung Fu Chaos; name a cult classic and somebody is begging for it in the comments.
That included though, a few of the crowd are going skeptical. One user outright called it “misinfo” explaining that an Xbox rep said it was “not in development” but had been “discussed.” Somehow except for a grain of salt, please. Then there are the emulators chuckling, “Bro, these games are already on PC if you know where to look.” Those guys are right though: Xemu and Xenia do exist, but having official support would be much cooler. No janky setups; no weird glitches that feel like a feature; just pure plug-and-play nostalgia.
The replies are again filled with desperate cries from the crowd: one user says, “Please Microsoft,” with a screen capture of Jet Set Radio Future like it was taken hostage. Another says, “Fable 2 lets goooooo,” mood. However, that sentiment is not shared by all. Some say these should be left in the past, giving a good argument: it’s just not the same anymore. Fair enough. Stumbled across reviewing a childhood fave only to realize it was just a mess? Oof.
Then there’s that age-old debate between consoles and PCs: Xbox Series X/S players already have their backward compatibility, so this would just be for the PC master race. Someone said, “Meanwhile, Xbox users can play those old games through backward compatibility,” cool flex, but let us have this? And oh God, don’t even start with the “just go buy the old consoles.” Unless you’re a masochist, no one is chasing after a functioning Xbox 360 in 2024.
I mean, what rumor would be complete without some drama mixed in? Some are dragging the journos for “copy-pasting from r/GamingLeaksAndRumors,” while others are like “Banjo Nuts and Bolts or we riot.” The chaos is glorious, truly. But the real question-if it’s even a thing-is when does it drop, and what’s included? Microsoft has been tight-lipped on this one, but the demand is loud and clear. Lost Planet crowd, Prototype posse, even those rare Kung Fu Chaos addicts are impatiently waiting.
Wrapping up: could be huge or nothing. Leaks are fun, yet they remain unreliable; till we see Phil Spencer himself dropping a trailer, it remains speculation. That idea of just playing Fable 2 without having to dust off my 360, though? Signing up! Just, err, maybe don’t hold your breath for that Jet Set Radio Future port… yet.
