Xbox One runs select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games; Xbox Series X|S runs Xbox One games and select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Older-library support is title-by-title, not universal: check the official Xbox backward-compatible catalog for the exact game before buying or installing it.
Which Xbox generations can play which games?
| Console | Games it can play through backward compatibility | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox One | Xbox One games, plus select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games | Not every Xbox 360 or original Xbox title is supported. Check the Xbox catalog. |
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One games, plus select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games | Older-generation support is selective. Physical discs require the disc drive and a supported title. |
| Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One games, plus select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games | Digital-only: it cannot read physical game discs. |
For a digital game you own that is in the catalog, Xbox says it appears in the console’s Ready to Install area. A game’s generation by itself does not establish compatibility, so search for the specific title in the catalog.
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How do digital games and discs work?
Digital games
If your account owns a supported digital title, install it from Ready to Install on the console. The title must be included in the backward-compatible catalog; ownership does not make an unsupported game playable.
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Physical discs
On a console with a disc drive, insert a supported game disc to download and install the game. Keep the disc in the drive whenever you play: it serves as proof of ownership after installation. Series S has no disc drive, so a disc collection cannot be used on it.
#1 Best Overall
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Does backward compatibility improve graphics or performance?
Compatibility means the supported older game runs on the newer console; enhancement features are separate and vary by title. Xbox says compatible games on Series X run natively on its hardware, using the CPU, GPU and SSD. Newer hardware can help with steadier or higher frame rates and shorter loading, but those benefits are not a promise of a particular result for every game.
- Auto HDR: Adds HDR rendering to eligible older SDR games on Series X|S. Xbox says the feature is designed to preserve the game’s original artistic intent.
- FPS Boost: Raises frame rates in select games. Xbox says it can effectively double frame rate in some cases; it is not suitable for every game, including where game physics or animation would be affected.
- Resolution enhancements: Available selectively. In a 2020 explanation of the Heutchy method, Xbox said selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox games could reach 4K on Xbox One X, 1440p on Series S, or 4K on Series X. Those figures describe selected games and named consoles, not the whole catalog.
Xbox’s 2020 explanation also said Series S backward-compatible games use the Xbox One S version, with enhancements such as texture filtering, more consistent frame rates, faster loading and Auto HDR. Series X was described as running compatible games with the full hardware. Per-game support is the deciding factor, so consult Xbox’s catalog rather than assuming a visual feature applies.
Rank #2
- The single-player portion of Portal 2 introduces dynamic characters, fresh puzzle elements, and a larger set of devious test chambers
- The two-player mode features a separate campaign with unique story, test chambers, and two new player characters.
- Advanced use of physics allow for the creation of a whole new range of interesting challenges, producing a much larger but not harder game.
- A massive sequel to the title named 2007's Game of the Year by over 30 publications worldwide.
- Players explore areas of the Aperture Science Labs and reunite with GLaDOS, the murderous computer companion.
How is Smart Delivery different?
Backward compatibility lets a supported older-generation game run on a newer console. Smart Delivery is a separate feature for games that support it: the title detects whether it is running on Xbox One, Series X or Series S and supplies the best available version for that device. For a supported game with an optimized version, Xbox says that version is available at no additional cost. Smart Delivery is not automatic for every game and does not mean every older title is compatible.
What changes for original Xbox games?
Supported original Xbox titles run as the original games, not as remasters. Some local or offline features may remain available where the original game supported them, but older online services and progression features have limits:
Rank #3
- Set during the fall of Rapture, players assume the role of Plasmid test subjects for Sinclair Solutions, a premier provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city of Rapture.
- Players will need to use all the elements of the BioShock toolset to survive as the full depth of the BioShock experience is refined and transformed into a unique multiplayer experience that can only be found in Rapture.
- Genre: First-person shooter
- Platform: Xbox 360
- Original Xbox Live online multiplayer and in-game marketplaces are unavailable through backward compatibility.
- Supported offline co-op, local multiplayer and system-link may work when the original title included them.
- Original Xbox games do not gain Xbox achievements; achievements were not available for those games when they launched.
- Saves from original Xbox games do not transfer to Xbox One or Series X|S. Saves created on Xbox One or Series X|S can move between consoles in those families through the cloud.
Which console makes sense for an older-game library?
For a collection of physical Xbox games, disc support is essential: Series X has a disc drive, while Series S is digital-only. For digital games, both Series X and Series S support titles in the backward-compatible catalog. Before choosing, check the specific games you own, whether each is digital or disc-based, and which enhancements—if any—are supported for that title. There is no single enhancement or compatibility result that applies to every game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How large is the catalog, and what do Xbox’s test figures mean?
Xbox Wire reported in 2020 that more than 500 Xbox 360 games had been brought to Xbox One. That is a historical program figure, not a current count of the live catalog. Xbox Wire also reported more than 100,000 hours of Series X play testing by May 28, 2020, and said on October 13, 2020 that more than 500,000 hours of gameplay across the backward-compatibility catalog would be complete by Series X|S launch. These are Xbox’s dated testing figures, not independent measurements or a guarantee about an individual game.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Check a game before you rely on compatibility
- Open the Xbox backward-compatible catalog.
- Search for the exact game title and confirm that it is listed for the console generation you plan to use.
- Check whether you own the digital version or a physical disc. For a disc, confirm the console has a disc drive and keep the disc available to play.
- Look for the game’s specific enhancement support if resolution, HDR or frame rate matters to you.
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