Do Xbox owners actually use Xbox backward compatibility? 95% of Windows Central readers say so.
Xbox backward compatibility is used by the vast majority of our readers, according to a recent poll.
What you need to know
- The recent announcement of GoldenEye 007 for Xbox consoles sparked a conversation about older games on modern consoles.
- Xbox backward compatibility has allowed people to play older titles on Xbox consoles for years, including the Xbox Series X.
- Almost 95% of voters in our recent poll said that they play at least some games through Xbox backward compatibility.
Last week when it was confirmed that GoldenEye 007 was on the way to Xbox consoles and the Nintendo Switch, the gaming world was aflutter about classic titles. Of course, Xbox owners have a large library of old games to enjoy through Xbox backward compatibility. Our question was if people actually used the feature to play games from previous generations of consoles.
The votes are in, and Windows Central readers overwhelmingly like to play games through Xbox backward compatibility.
Last week we ran a poll, and over 64% of voters said that they play a large number of games through Xbox backward compatibility. An additional 30.26% said they play a small number of games through the feature. Only 5.29% of voters said that they do not play any games through Xbox backward compatibility.
Microsoft has invested heavily in Xbox backward compatibility over the years, expanding the library of classic titles to include hundreds of games. Our list of the best Xbox backward compatible games has quite a few well-known and historic titles.
In contrast, Sony has not rolled out as robust of a support network for older titles. For example, the Xbox Series X is fully compatible with Xbox One titles and Xbox backward compatible games, while the PS5 does not have similar functionality.
If you'd like to chat about your favorite classic games, make sure to hop on over to our official Discord server. We have channels for console gaming, PC gaming, and more.
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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.
Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.
