Microsoft is reportedly making progress on expanding backward compatibility for original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, with plans to bring these legacy titles to Windows and the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally. The claim comes from a post on the ResetEra forum by a user known as NateDrake, who has shared information on gaming developments in the past. According to the post, there is active work within Microsoft aimed at making older Xbox games playable outside of Xbox Series consoles.
Backward compatibility has been an important feature for Xbox owners since the launch of the Xbox One generation, where Microsoft introduced support for selected titles from previous consoles. That program allowed many original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to run on Xbox One and later Series hardware. However, the official backward compatibility program paused updates in 2021, leaving many older games unsupported on modern systems.
The recent discussion suggests that Microsoft may be revisiting this effort with a focus on Windows and the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, a device that blends elements of a handheld console with a Windows PC environment. Early leaks and rumors about the ROG Xbox Ally have pointed to deeper integration between Windows and Xbox gaming, prompting speculation about how legacy Xbox software could fit into that ecosystem.
In the ResetEra post, NateDrake wrote that there is “a hope to make legacy Xbox (OG and Xbox 360) games backward compatible on ROG and Windows.”
The post notes that success is not guaranteed and many questions remain, including how large the supported game library might be and the performance expectations for these titles. Full details on compatibility levels, technical approach, and release timing are still unknown.
Some previous leaks have hinted that any new backward compatibility solution could use an emulation layer or similar technology to support older game code on modern platforms. If this is the case, the effort may mirror past methods used on Xbox hardware, adapted for the Windows ecosystem and devices like the ROG Xbox Ally.
Industry analysts and gamers have reacted with interest to the possibility of expanded backward compatibility, particularly given the enduring popularity of many classic Xbox and Xbox 360 titles. For many players, access to these older games on PC or hybrid devices could renew interest in franchises that have not seen new releases in years.
At present, Microsoft has not made any official announcements confirming that expanded backward compatibility is in development or outlining specific plans. The information remains based on community leaks, and the company may choose to provide formal details at a later date.
As gaming hardware and software continue to evolve, the integration of legacy content into modern platforms remains a topic of strong interest. Bringing original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to Windows and the ROG Xbox Ally could broaden access to classic titles and support Microsoft’s larger strategy of uniting gaming across devices. Further updates are likely as more information becomes available.
