Microsoft has pledged to bring classic titles to future Xbox systems. Windows Central reported that the next Xbox console will support older and newer titles that are not playable on PCs. Delisted Xbox 360 games appearing on the Microsoft Store may signal that these plans are progressing quickly.
JBishie on social media noticed a crop of new titles with “coming soon” labels. Some games are no longer available on the Xbox Series X|S. In July 2024, Microsoft deactivated the Xbox 360 marketplace, affecting many games launched on older consoles. However, buyers could still play the content or discs they owned, assuming they were compatible with the newer systems.
As the poster notes, the surprising additions could simply be a technical glitch. Still, Microsoft previously announced it had formed a team devoted to game preservation. Then, a May 2025 job ad for a Principal Software Engineer described a role related to backward compatibility.
The challenges of Xbox 360 backward compatibility
What remains unclear is how Xbox 360 games will run on the next Xbox console, which could debut in 2027 or earlier. Most reports suggest that, powered by the AMD Magnus chip, the machine will be Windows-based. On the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, besides some Game Pass cloud-streamed titles, only games with PC versions are an option.
The company may rely on an Xbox 360 emulator to appease retro gaming fans. There are already programs available, such as Xenia, that keep classic games alive on Windows. Jez Corden of Windows Central recently suggested that an official emulator was in development.
For a new Xbox console, Microsoft is also exploring ways to include more modern Xbox games that do not have Windows versions. Licensing issues could also make it more difficult to include some titles from past eras.
Gamers in the UK are also seeing forgotten Xbox favorites reappear on marketplaces. Even if the listings disappear, fans hope to learn more about backward compatibility plans soon.
Adam Corsetti – Tech Writer – 737 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I became interested in technology at a young age and enjoyed discovering the latest innovations. While earning college degrees in publishing, I created several PC hardware and gaming websites. My passion has always been to guide readers on what products can truly improve their lives. After many years as a Tech Writer for Game Rant, I’m anxious to share my knowledge with a new audience at Notebookcheck.