Of all the current generation consoles on the market right now, Microsoft’s Xbox One is by far the most impressive when it comes to its commitment to backwards compatibility.

At the moment there’s an extensive list of Xbox 360 games that can be played on the Xbox One and while that’s continuing to grow, Microsoft announced plans to add original Xbox games into the mix at E3 earlier this year.

Microsoft hasn’t been forthcoming with details on exactly which original Xbox titles will be coming to Xbox One – at the moment we only know about Crimson Skies and Fuzion Frenzy. However, in a recent interview with GameSpot, Xbox head Phil Spencer did say we’d see the first of the batch released before the end of the year.

Throwback

When asked about the status of the backwards compatibility project by GameSpot, Spencer stated “We’re close, we’re really close.”

“I have a little dashboard I go to and I can see all the games [and] where they are in getting approvals in the pipeline,” he continued.

“I know the games that are coming for the original Xbox but I don’t think we’ve announced them all. We have to do this in partnership with partners, but we’re still on track. I feel really good. The games look great.”

Backwards compatibility on the Xbox One X will, apparently, work slightly differently to the Xbox One S. According to Spencer, Xbox has still to reveal some “interesting” details on how the feature will work on the upcoming 4K console but seems fairly certain that people will find it “interesting.”

There’s plenty of interest in original Xbox games coming to the latest consoles and although Spencer says that some of the games hold up better than others, we imagine the memories and nostalgia will more than make up for anything lacking in the visuals.

Though we still don’t have an exact date for when this backwards compatibility extension will go live, we imagine Microsoft will wait until after the launch of the Xbox One X on November 7. Some time between this new console launch and Christmas would, arguably, make the most sense for the company.

We imagine original Xbox games coming to the Xbox One would tie in very neatly with the release of the revamped Duke controller which was also announced at E3 this year. Though this controller doesn’t have an exact release date, either, it’s also scheduled for before the end of 2017.

• Black Friday is a good time to be on the lookout for discounted Xbox One bundles

Original Xbox games are still coming to Xbox One this year

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) had a lot of surprises for the fans. From Nintendo’s spectacular comeback to Microsoft’s Xbox One X, the gaming community was left reeling from the events.

One of the treats were given to Microsoft’s fans was Xbox One’s backward compatibility, which will equip the latest console with support for the original games that were previously released. With the anticipation at an all-time high, rumors have begun circulating that it might never come. However, recent reports have revealed that it is actually on the way.

“We’re close, we’re really close,” Xbox’s chief Phil Spencer told GameSpot when he was asked about the status of the development. “I have a little dashboard I go to and I can see all the games [and] where they are in getting approvals in the pipeline. I know the games that are coming for the original Xbox but I don’t think we’ve announced them all. We have to do this in partnership with partners, but we’re still on track. I feel really good. The games look great.”

Considering the nearing release of the Xbox One X, many were also curious as to whether or not the feature will be available to the world’s most powerful console. Spencer was determined to remain tight-lipped, but he did tease that there were features that will need to be discussed before the console arrives in stores.

Furthermore, Spencer also gave some form of relief to the fans. He said that they will not have long to wait to enjoy the features that the backwards compatibility will offer. For those who have been waiting to play the original games that they got to know in the previous consoles, they will be able to play it again before the year ends. No specific launch date was given but fans are expecting to hear more details in the coming months.

Xbox One News: Backwards Compatibility Coming Sooner Than Fans Think

Microsoft is set to launch the Xbox One X on November 7. This $500 system promises to be “the most powerful console ever.” There is certainly a great deal of excitement for the device among the hardcore Xbox community. However, the console isn’t going to replace the Xbox One S. It exists for the enthusiast gamer who wants a beefier system. While Microsoft expects the Xbox One X to sell well, it recognizes the system doesn’t have universal appeal.

“Xbox One S will be the market leader for us. It’s the more affordable console. It plays all the same games,” said Xbox’s Phil Spencer to GameSpot at the Brazil Game Show. “It will be the console that sells.”

“Whether you’re on a 1080p TV or a 4K TV, you’re going to have a great experience. But it’s not for everybody. It’s like when we built the Xbox One Elite controller, we didn’t try to say to everybody, ‘If you need an extra controller, go buy the Elite controller.’ We sold a ton of those controllers. We know in the gaming segment, there are a lot of people who play games casually and there are also people where gaming is their number one hobby.

“Their number one form of entertainment, and we want to give them the very best experience. I’ve played games in true 4K with HDR, and they look fantastic. But it doesn’t mean everybody has to do that. So we’re giving gamers a choice. Whether we’ve pushed the innovation too far? It’s hard to do that with gamers. I guess we’ll see; I feel very confident in the product we have coming to market.”

Phil Spencer spoke about how the Xbox One S would be the this year’s best selling Xbox back in June. Both the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X play the same games. Given a choice, most customers will purchase the $250 system over the $500 variant. Sure, games on Xbox One X will look and run better, but gaming on Xbox One S provides the same experience. System-wise, the Xbox is on solid footing. Now Xbox just needs a few more exclusives to make it even more enticing to consumers.

Microsoft Says Xbox One X “Not for Everyone”

Microsoft has announced three new Xbox One S bundles priced at just £229. Launching in the coming weeks, the UK will receive an Xbox One S Rocket League Blast-Off Bundle, an Xbox One S Starter Bundle and – for those that didn’t manage to get their hands on the limited edition Minecraft version of the console, an Xbox One S Minecraft Complete Adventure Bundle.

The latter comes with a 500GB Xbox One S, a wireless controller and full download codes for Minecraft and Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode Season One – The Complete Adventure. Users also get a full add-on download code of the Minecraft Explorer’s pack, three months of Xbox Live Gold, and a one month trial of the Xbox Game Pass.

The Rocket League Blast Off Bundle, meanwhile, comes with a 500GB Xbox One S, a wireless controller, a full download code for Rocket League, three months of Xbox Live Gold and the same one month Xbox Game Pass trial.

The Starter Bundle, on the other hand, doesn’t actually come with a specific game, which might make it a hard sell to the general public. Instead, the main benefit is that users get three months of Xbox Game Pass rather than one – although whether the general public will appreciate the value of two extra months is debatable, especially when it’s not quite as tangible as an actual game. Of course, that’s in addition to three months of Xbox Live Gold plus the 500GB Xbox One S and wireless controller.

Meanwhile, the US will also receive an Xbox One S Ultimate Halo Bundle for $279, which comes with download codes for Halo 5 Guardians and Halo: The Master Chief Collection, plus one month of Xbox Game Pass, a 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold, and a 500GB console and wireless controller.

New Xbox One S bundles feature Rocket League and Minecraft

Try the Xbox One X before it launches at select Microsoft Stores

Microsoft has flaunted its upcoming Xbox One X as the ‘most powerful console ever created’, touting its ability to natively play games at 4K, with HDR as a big differentiator against not only its direct competitor, the PS4 Pro, but also the current generation of consoles as a whole.

If you’re not convinced by Microsoft’s words or the inclusion of insanely powerful hardware – an octa core processor and 12 GB of DDR5 RAM – alone, you can soon test the console out for yourself, before its eventual release on November 7. As the company announced yesterday, “Participating locations include flagship Microsoft Stores in New York and Sydney as well as Microsoft Store at Bellevue Square Mall and Microsoft Store at University Village.”

Those fortunate enough to get their hands on an Xbox One X at one of the participating locations will also be able to try out the recently released Forza Motorsport 7, which is designed to show off the new console’s graphical prowess. Our Usama Jawad reviewed the game and came away impressed, describing the game as ‘amazing’.

If you’re not near one of the locations mentioned above, don’t fret. The company has also promised that more locations will be revealed soon and that as we near the launch of the console, all Microsoft Stores will start stocking Xbox One Xs for you to try out.

In addition, the company is celebrating the launch of the console with giveaways, special events, and more at Microsoft Stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Select Microsoft Stores will let you go hands-on with the Xbox One X

It has been a while since we’ve last heard about Microsoft and Nintendo’s relationship with Minecraft cross-play between platforms. That has changed, as Xbox boss Phil Spencer has commented about the matter. He wasn’t as positive about Sony, but he had nice things to say about Nintendo. Spencer says their relationship with Nintendo on Minecraft has been “strong” and they have been “great supporters”. Here’s what Phil Spencer had to say:

“We talk to Sony all the time. With Minecraft on PlayStation, we have to be one of the biggest games on their platform in terms of sales and gameplay. Same with Nintendo. The relationship with Nintendo on this front has been strong. They’ve been great supporters and we continue to collaborate with them. But I think Sony’s view is different. They should talk about what their view is…”

Microsoft Says Their Relationship With Nintendo On Minecraft Has Been “Strong”

As the Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer played a key role in bringing the critically acclaimed platformer Cuphead to Xbox One and PC as an exclusive for Microsoft. One of the perks of his position is getting to play games ahead of release. He told us at the Brazil Game Show today that while he beat all the bosses ahead of launch, he hasn’t completed the retail version of the game–and he has a good reason.

“I think I finished all of the bosses at one point before it launched. But no. I’ve been traveling for four weeks in a row so I haven’t had much chance to play,” Spencer said. “It is [an excuse].”

Spencer also told us that Cuphead is selling “very well,” though he didn’t get into specifics about sales numbers. “I am so happy for the studio; they worked a long time on the game. And to have the success they’re having–it’s selling very well,” he said. “The reaction has been great. It’s just fantastic when those kind of things come together.”

As part of Microsoft’s exclusivity deal for Cuphead, the game is staying exclusive to Xbox One and PC forever. It is never coming to PlayStation 4. Spencer said the version of Cuphead that exists today might never have happened were it not for Microsoft’s investment.

“The team had certain ambition about what they wanted to go do. And together with them we wanted to invest more,” he said. “We saw more opportunity. And what that turned into was us having an exclusive game on our platform. That’s a game that probably wouldn’t have happened the way it did if we didn’t invest the way we did.”

Developer StudioMDHR has announced that Cuphead has gone platinum, having sold more than 1 million copies since launch. It did not provide any kind of breakdown between Xbox One and PC, which are the only two platforms Cuphead is available on currently.

Xbox’s Phil Spencer Hasn’t Beaten Cuphead, Has A Good Excuse Though

Back at E3 2017, Microsoft made headlines when they announced that Minecraft’s Better Together update would enable cross-play multiplayer between Xbox One, Windows 10, Nintendo Switch as well as mobile platforms. But unfortunately for PlayStation gamers, Sony declined to play ball, defending their refusal to open up cross-network play by the necessity to protect younger gamers.

In the following months, Microsoft said that it has been in discussions with Sony to enable cross-play on the Playstation 4 version of Minecraft, but things aren’t looking good so far. In a recent interview with GameSpot, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer shared that he’s unsure if Sony will ever have a change of mind about it. He explained:

“I have a real struggle making comments about their motivation or timelines. I know there is a certain view that says if my friends have this console, they can’t play with people who buy another console. That’s a reason they go buy my console,” he said. “That reason is not going to go away. So we’re putting Minecraft out there as one of the biggest games on any platform and allowing people to play together regardless of what device they bought. I don’t think everybody is taking that same approach to the ecosystem. So I’m never going to call anything a lost cause but I think some of the fundamental reasons and certain scenarios, they’re not really going away. So I don’t know what would change.”

For Spencer, crossplay multiplayer is positive for gamers, game developers as well as the video games industry as a whole. “If it’s better for gamers, I have a hard time thinking why we shouldn’t go do this, especially when you’re trying to make the gaming business a bigger business; grow it, get more games, create more opportunity,” he explained. But Sony, which has the best-selling console of this generation may have no interest to play nice with other platforms, for now at least.

In the meantime, if cross-platform multiplayer does matter to you, then the Xbox One remains the better choice. In addition to Minecraft, several Microsoft Studios titles such as Gears of War 4 or Forza Horizon 3 already support cross-play between Xbox One and Windows 10, and the fighting game Killer Instinct even supports it between Steam, Windows 10 and Xbox One. Do you think Sony will have to change its stance at some point, or do you think the company is more interested in keeping PS4 players in a walled garden? Let us know below.

Sony’s reluctance to bring Minecraft cross-play to Playstation “not going away,” says Xbox chief