Microsoft is gearing up to celebrate Xbox’s 25th anniversary in 2026. During an event showcasing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld, a BBC News reporter asked Xbox VP Jason Ronald if the celebration would include bringing back older Xbox games for modern consoles. Ronald didn’t share any specifics, but confirmed that plans for the anniversary are in the works.
When asked about bringing original Xbox games to Game Pass, Ronald stated he couldn’t make any announcements today. However, he noted that 2026 will mark Xbox’s 25th anniversary, and the company intends to celebrate its history while also looking ahead to its future. While he didn’t confirm or deny the possibility, he encouraged fans to watch for exciting news next year.
Ronald’s indirect response didn’t confirm or deny anything, but it suggests Xbox might be considering allowing players to play games from the very first Xbox on their current consoles and PCs.
Although the original Xbox shared many games with the PC, PlayStation 2, and GameCube, it also boasted a number of titles you couldn’t play on any other system. These exclusives were often unique and covered a variety of genres. Examples include games like Otogi: Myth of Demons from FromSoftware, Midtown Madness 3, Voodoo Vince, Jet Set Radio: Future, and Shin Megami Tensei Nine.
Some games, like Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy and The Warriors, were released on PlayStation 2 and GameCube but haven’t been updated for newer consoles from PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo.
While Microsoft has made some older games playable on newer Xbox consoles through backwards compatibility, many remain limited to consoles that haven’t been manufactured for over twenty years. Ronald’s announcement suggests the company may also bring backwards compatibility to Windows PCs, allowing these games to be played on those devices as well.
Rumors about Xbox games potentially coming to PC fit into Microsoft’s overall vision for the Xbox brand, called Xbox Play Anywhere. This initiative aims to make all Microsoft platforms great places to play games, no matter what device you’re using. Currently, Microsoft is achieving this through its cloud gaming service and by letting players who purchase games from the Microsoft Store play those titles on both Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.
Recent reports suggest Microsoft is planning to increase its production of Xbox consoles. This includes expanding the manufacturing capabilities of Fushan Technology, a company owned by Foxconn, to produce an extra 4.8 million Xbox gaming devices.
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2025-12-09 18:41