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Xbox One X is the clear choice for playing older console games: it runs every Xbox One game plus a curated list of Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. PS4 Pro runs every PS4 game, but it does not play PS3, PS2, or PS1 discs. That difference is about backward compatibility; it is separate from how either console can improve the graphics or performance of games made for its own generation.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS4 Pro | Playing the full PS4 library, including games without a Pro patch | No native PS3, PS2, or PS1 disc support; curated PS3 games can be streamed through PlayStation Plus Premium | PS4 Pro | Oct 2026 |
| Xbox One X | Playing Xbox One games and supported Xbox 360 or original Xbox games | Curated backward-compatible library; selected Xbox 360 games get up to 9× the original pixel count on One X | Xbox One X | Oct 2026 |
What does backward compatibility mean on these consoles?
Backward compatibility means running games from an earlier console generation, not simply improving a game designed for the current console. By that definition, Xbox One X has a backward-compatibility program for selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. PS4 Pro does not run earlier PlayStation games from discs or local downloads.
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Both consoles also have features that improve some games made for their own generation. PS4 Pro games may have specific Pro patches or benefit from Boost Mode; Xbox One games may have Xbox One X enhancements. Those are upgrades to PS4 or Xbox One games, not evidence that either console can run a wider range of older-generation games.
Does PS4 Pro play PS3 games?
No. PS4 Pro cannot play PS3 discs or run PS3 downloads locally. A selection of PS3 games has been available to stream to PS4 through PlayStation Now and its successor, PlayStation Plus Premium, but that is a paid, internet-dependent service rather than console-level disc compatibility.
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Which PlayStation games work on PS4 Pro?
Every PS4 game works on PS4 Pro, whether it is on disc or digitally purchased. A Pro patch is not required to make a PS4 game playable: patches identify games with specific improvements such as higher resolution, HDR, extra visual effects, or a higher frame rate.
PS4 Pro does not read original PS1 or PS2 discs either. Its hardware is not a universal emulator for earlier PlayStation systems; in particular, the PS4’s x86-64 architecture cannot natively run PS3 code built around the Cell processor. Video Game Console Library, last verified in July 2026, describes PS4 as having no native backward compatibility for earlier generations.
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What is the PS3 streaming option?
PlayStation Plus Premium is the successor to PlayStation Now and has offered a curated PS3 streaming catalog. A subscription and a stable internet connection are required, and a particular game must be available in the catalog in the player’s region at the time. Streaming does not make a PS3 disc or locally owned PS3 download playable on PS4 Pro.
The available PS3 catalog can change, and no complete current 2026 title list is established here. Before subscribing for one specific game, check the live PlayStation Plus catalog for your region rather than assuming that a PS3 release is streamable.
What does PS4 Pro Boost Mode do?
Boost Mode is an optional PS4 Pro setting for certain older, unpatched PS4 games. It can raise or stabilize frame rates by using the Pro’s additional hardware capacity. It affects PS4 software only; it does not add PS3 compatibility.
Does Xbox One X play Xbox 360 games?
Yes, but only Xbox 360 games on Microsoft’s backward-compatibility list. Xbox One X also plays every Xbox One game and selected original Xbox games. It does not run the entire Xbox 360 catalog.
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For a supported Xbox 360 game, Xbox One X runs an emulated Xbox 360 environment. Even with a disc, the console loads a digital version of the game through that emulator. If the game is supported and the player has the disc, the disc acts as the license; inserting it triggers a download of the compatible game package, so an internet connection is needed for that first conversion.
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Microsoft’s program is a whitelist, not a promise that every game from a generation will work. Publishers must permit a game to be repackaged for the newer console, and licensing is a major reason titles are missing. The Xbox 360 and original Xbox lists were built title by title, and the program’s final major catalog update arrived in November 2021.
How large is the compatible catalog?
There is no single official frozen total that should be treated as Microsoft’s definitive count. The reported totals describe different dates and sometimes count different things:
- Eurogamer and Ars Technica reported 104 Xbox 360 games at the public backward-compatibility launch on 12 November 2015.
- When original Xbox compatibility launched in October 2017, Xbox Wire reported more than 400 Xbox 360 games and an initial 13 original Xbox games.
- An Xbox Wire snapshot from February 2018 reported more than 460 Xbox 360 games, 11 Xbox One X Enhanced Xbox 360 games, and 13 original Xbox games.
- Ars Technica cited a then-current list of more than 500 Xbox 360 games and 39 original Xbox games in August 2020.
- Eurogamer reported the final November 2021 addition as 76 games: 58 Xbox 360 games and 18 original Xbox games.
Video Game Heaven’s April 2026 unofficial count puts the Xbox 360 total at 632 of 2,155 games. Video Game Console Library, last verified in July 2026, lists more than 577 Xbox 360 titles and describes the combined Xbox 360 and original Xbox catalog as roughly 700 games before the freeze. These are third-party counts, not a newly updated Microsoft catalog. The useful takeaway is that the list contains hundreds of games, but is limited and has not received new titles since the final 2021 update.
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The compatible list includes prominent games such as Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War: Judgment, Halo 3, Halo: Reach, Fable II, Fable III, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the BioShock games, Mass Effect, Skate 3, and Grand Theft Auto IV.
That list is illustrative, not complete, and the version matters. Some titles are disc-only, some are digital-only, and some entries differ by region. Batman: Arkham Origins and Battlefield 3, for example, are among the disc-only cases; several Xbox 360 Assassin’s Creed versions and the Xbox 360 version of Forza Horizon also have disc-only listings. A game’s name appearing on a list does not always mean every edition is available to buy digitally.
Do not infer support from a game’s popularity or from its presence on an early launch announcement. Red Dead Redemption was an omission from the original 2015 launch selection, but appears on later compatibility lists. Grand Theft Auto IV is also on later lists. Check the final list for the specific title and version before buying a used disc.
Can Xbox One X play original Xbox games?
Yes, for a smaller curated selection of original Xbox games. Some named examples are Black, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Dead or Alive 3, Fuzion Frenzy, Jade Empire, Max Payne, Ninja Gaiden Black, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Psychonauts, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and TimeSplitters 2.
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Availability conditions vary. Some original Xbox games are disc-only or digital-only, some are region-specific, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is automatically upgraded to its Xbox 360 version. Microsoft’s first original Xbox batch included 13 games in October 2017; later additions expanded the list, with a final update in November 2021.
Original Xbox titles do not gain features that were absent from the original games. Xbox Wire explained in 2017 that original Xbox Live online multiplayer is unavailable for these compatible titles, although supported offline multiplayer such as local co-op or system link can remain. They do not have Achievements, either.
Do I have to buy my old Xbox games again?
Not if you already own a supported Xbox game in a form the compatible version accepts. A supported Xbox 360 disc can be used to download and launch its emulated package; a supported digital purchase can be accessed through the account associated with the purchase. Xbox Wire said Xbox 360 backward compatibility was provided at no additional cost and that saves, game add-ons, Achievements, and Gamerscore carried over for Xbox 360 titles.
There are practical limits. The game must be on the compatibility list, and a physical copy only helps when that specific title or edition accepts discs. Some compatible games are disc-only, and a delisted digital game may no longer be purchasable even though a previous owner can still use a qualifying license or supported disc. A delisted title is not automatically compatible simply because it was once sold for Xbox 360.
Original Xbox games follow the same basic supported-title requirement, but their multiplayer and Achievement limitations differ from Xbox 360 games. Do not expect original Xbox Live online services or Xbox 360-style Achievements for them.
Which older Xbox games are enhanced on Xbox One X?
Some Xbox 360 and original Xbox games receive graphics improvements through the Xbox One X emulator. This is distinct from Xbox One X enhancements for native Xbox One games. The enhancement does not turn an old game into a remaster or rewrite its game code.
What does 9× the original pixel count mean?
For selected Xbox 360 titles, Microsoft’s Heutchy Method lets the emulator render with up to nine times the original pixel count on Xbox One X, while using the existing game assets. Xbox Wire described the result as a higher resolution and expanded color detail. As a simple illustration, a game that originally rendered at 720p can reach 2160p, or 4K, on suitable hardware and a capable display; that is an example of the pixel-count relationship, not a promise that every compatible game renders at 4K.
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The official Xbox Wire list in February 2018 named 11 Xbox 360 games as Xbox One X Enhanced: Assassin’s Creed, Crackdown, Fable Anniversary, Fallout 3, Forza Horizon, Gears of War 3, Halo 3, Mirror’s Edge, Oblivion, Skate 3, and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. Later additions to the frozen catalog include enhanced flags for titles such as Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Darksiders, Fable II, Final Fantasy XIII, and Final Fantasy XIII-2.
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How do I change the Xbox 360 graphics setting?
For an Xbox 360 game on Xbox One X, open the Xbox 360 Guide by pressing View and Menu together, then go to Settings → Xbox One X Settings. Choose Graphics for the higher-resolution setting or Performance for behavior comparable to Xbox One or Xbox One S. Restart the game after changing the setting for the selection to take effect.
Do non-enhanced Xbox games still benefit?
Some general emulator improvements apply beyond the titles carrying an Xbox One X Enhanced label. Digital Foundry, as cited by Eurogamer, reported that compatible Xbox 360 games benefit from reduced screen tearing and that disc-access hitches can be less disruptive. Video Game Heaven describes further baseline improvements on Xbox One hardware, including more stable frame rates, dynamic-resolution games reaching their cap more often, 16× anisotropic filtering, forced V-sync, and variable refresh rate on a compatible display.
These general benefits are not the same as the One X-specific 9× pixel upgrade. The Xbox One X Enhanced badge means a title has one or more designated enhancements; it does not mean every game with that badge uses the same combination of resolution, effects, and frame rate. FPS Boost and Auto HDR are Xbox Series X|S features, not Xbox One X features.
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For games made for their own generation, both consoles offer title-dependent upgrades. Xbox One X often outputs a higher resolution than PS4 Pro in multiplatform comparisons, while PS4 Pro games can use different approaches such as checkerboard rendering, native 4K, supersampling to a 1080p display, HDR, or a higher frame-rate mode.
The following resolution examples were published by IGN in a comparison chart updated 2 April 2018, drawing on Digital Foundry captures and press claims. They describe specific games and versions, not a universal rule for every title:
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| Game | Xbox One X resolution | PS4 Pro resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Fallout 4 | 3840 × 2160 | 2560 × 1440 |
| Far Cry 5 | 3840 × 2160 | 2880 × 1620 |
| Overwatch | 3840 × 2160 | 1920 × 1080 |
| Titanfall 2 | 3840 × 2160 | 2560 × 1440 |
| Star Wars Battlefront 2 | 3840 × 2160 | 2560 × 1440 |
| Diablo 3 | 3840 × 2160 | 3072 × 1728 |
| Hitman | 3840 × 2160 | 2560 × 1440 |
| Assassin’s Creed Origins | 3584 × 2016 | 2816 × 1584 |
| Monster Hunter: World | 3072 × 1728 | 3200 × 1800 |
Monster Hunter: World is a useful exception: the cited comparison lists a higher resolution for PS4 Pro than for Xbox One X. Resolution is not the only visual or performance factor, and exact output depends on the game and its mode. IGN’s PS4 Pro upgrades list, updated in June 2019, documents Pro modes including checkerboard or native 4K, HDR, supersampling, and locked 60 fps options for selected games. Those are PS4-generation enhancements, not backward compatibility.
How do I check whether a specific game works?
Check the exact title and edition before buying a disc or planning a download. Because Xbox compatibility is selective and may distinguish disc, digital, and regional versions, the title alone is not always enough.
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Check an Xbox 360 or original Xbox game
- On Xbox One X, open My games & apps → See all → Full library → Filter → Xbox 360 & Xbox.
- Search Microsoft’s Xbox backward-compatibility library or a dated list of the final November 2021 additions. Eurogamer’s list updated 19 November 2021, GameSpot’s list from 22 November 2021, and TrueAchievements’ living list are useful references; TrueAchievements also includes regional SKUs.
- Confirm whether the exact release accepts a disc or is digital-only. Check the region note where one is given, and do not assume a delisted digital title is currently available to buy.
- If using a supported disc, insert it while connected to the internet so the console can download the compatible game package. The disc remains the license needed to play.
Check a PlayStation game
- If the game is a PS4 disc or PS4 digital license, it works on PS4 Pro. Check the game’s Pro-specific information separately if you want to know about resolution or performance enhancements.
- If it is a PS3, PS2, or PS1 disc, it will not run on PS4 Pro.
- For a PS3 game, check the current PlayStation Plus Premium cloud catalog in your region. Streaming requires an active subscription and a suitable internet connection, and catalog availability can change.
Which console should you choose for older games?
If playing games from a previous generation is the priority, Xbox One X offers much broader local compatibility: all Xbox One games plus selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. It also applies emulator-based visual improvements to supported older games, with a subset of Xbox 360 titles receiving the One X-specific 9× pixel-count treatment.
PS4 Pro is the straightforward choice for the PS4 library, not for PS3 discs. Its Pro patches and Boost Mode may improve PS4 games, but neither feature changes that compatibility boundary. Neither console plays the other manufacturer’s games, and the Xbox compatibility list is still a curated selection rather than a complete generation library.
Both consoles are discontinued, so a used-console purchase also depends on the condition of the unit, current storefront availability, and whether the game you want is obtainable in a supported form. For a specific title, verify the compatibility entry and edition first; a broad claim such as “Xbox 360 games work” is not enough to establish that a particular copy will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play a PS3 game on PS4 Pro if I own it digitally?
A locally purchased PS3 download does not run on PS4 Pro. Streaming access is separate from ownership of a PS3 digital license, so check whether the title is currently included in the PlayStation Plus Premium cloud catalog.
Does Xbox One X backward compatibility include Xbox Series X|S games?
No Xbox One X backward-compatibility feature makes Xbox Series X|S games run on Xbox One X. The program discussed here covers selected original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles, alongside native Xbox One games.
Can I play my Xbox 360 save on Xbox One X without starting over?
Xbox Wire stated that Xbox 360 backward compatibility preserves game saves, add-ons, Achievements, and Gamerscore. The save must be available to the account or storage path used by the compatible game.
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