Microsoft is Reportedly Bringing Backwards Compatbility to Xbox

Several previously removed Xbox 360 games briefly appeared on the Xbox Store this week before being taken down again. The activity was first noticed by the Better xCloud account, which tracks changes in Microsoft’s cloud gaming systems.

This hints that Xbox consoles may be getting backwards compatibility, which is the ability to run games released for older generation consoles.

The games spotted included Aegis Wing, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and Mars: War Logs. All of these titles had been delisted earlier. The Prince of Persia game showed up with its original release date and a placeholder price of $100. Another title, Armed and Dangerous, also reappeared briefly before being removed again. Mars: War Logs was delisted around the same time as the others.

While a single accidental relisting might not raise concerns, multiple titles showing up in a short period have drawn attention. The Better xCloud account, run by the developer of the browser plugin with the same name, initially suggested that the return of Armed and Dangerous could be a mistake. However, later activity involving other games appeared more deliberate.

The timing of these changes is notable. At the Game Developers Conference 2026 held in San Francisco, Xbox Vice President Jason Ronald said the company plans to bring back its backward compatibility efforts. He stated that new ways to play classic games would be introduced as part of Xbox’s 25th anniversary celebrations later this year.

Microsoft ended its backward compatibility program in 2021, citing licensing challenges and technical limits that prevented more titles from being added.