Microsoft might be planning a major expansion of its backward compatibility program that would bring original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to PC gaming handhelds and Windows systems. Gaming insider NateDrake dropped this information on ResetEra on December 8, 2025, responding to speculation about Xbox’s evolving hardware strategy and the company’s recent “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign.
According to NateDrake, there exists a hope within Microsoft to make legacy Xbox games from the original console and Xbox 360 era compatible with ROG devices and Windows platforms. However, the leaker cautioned that the success of this initiative remains uncertain, and it’s unclear how extensive the game library would be compared to what’s currently available on Xbox Series X and S.
What This Means for PC Gaming Handhelds
The timing of this leak aligns perfectly with Microsoft’s broader push to redefine what an Xbox actually is. The company launched a marketing campaign in November 2024 showing various devices with text declaring “This is an Xbox,” including smartphones, laptops, Samsung TVs, and notably gaming handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally. The campaign emphasized that Xbox is becoming a service and ecosystem rather than just a physical console.
If Microsoft successfully enables backward compatibility for legacy titles on Windows-based handhelds, it would give devices like the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Steam Deck running Windows a massive library advantage. Currently, these handhelds can play modern PC versions of games but lack access to the extensive backward compatibility catalog that Xbox Series consoles offer, which includes over 600 titles from previous generations.
Technical Challenges and Licensing Issues
Reddit users discussing the leak on GamingLeaksAndRumours pointed out significant obstacles Microsoft would face implementing this plan. One highly upvoted comment suggested licensing problems likely relate to how Microsoft defines what constitutes an Xbox. The “This is an Xbox” initiative might be clarifying the real purpose behind expanding that definition legally and commercially.
Another commenter noted that Xbox One editions of backward compatible games essentially run on a semi-emulator recompiled for x86-64 architecture. The primary technical concern would be ensuring compatibility across various GPU types found in different PC configurations. However, this shouldn’t be overly challenging for Microsoft’s engineering teams given their experience with the existing backward compatibility program.
The Backward Compatibility Legacy
Microsoft’s backward compatibility program for Xbox One and Series consoles is widely praised as one of the best preservation efforts in gaming. Starting in 2015, the Xbox engineering team built sophisticated emulation that allows hundreds of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games to run on modern hardware, often with enhanced performance and visual improvements.
The program includes beloved classics like Red Dead Redemption, the entire Gears of War series, Fallout 3 and New Vegas, and dozens of other titles that would otherwise be trapped on aging hardware. Many games received Xbox One X enhancements with 4K resolution support. The backward compatibility team became heroes in the Xbox community for rescuing gaming history from obsolescence.
How This Fits Microsoft’s Multiplatform Strategy
This backward compatibility expansion rumor arrives amid Microsoft’s aggressive push to bring Xbox games to competing platforms. NateDrake himself reported in January 2025 that Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator would come to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Windows Central’s Jez Corden corroborated those reports.
Microsoft officially brought four Xbox exclusives to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch in early 2024: Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded. By the end of 2024, that number grew with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle hitting PlayStation 5 shortly after its Xbox and PC launch. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, stated in February 2024 that the company sees fewer console exclusives across the industry over the next decade.
Xbox as a Service Platform
The strategy shift reflects Microsoft’s acknowledgment that hardware sales alone won’t sustain their gaming business. Xbox consoles have consistently trailed PlayStation in sales, and Nintendo dominates with the Switch. By positioning Xbox as a service available on multiple devices including smartphones via cloud gaming, smart TVs, and PC handhelds, Microsoft expands its potential customer base dramatically.
Game Pass remains central to this vision. The subscription service offers access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee, including day-one releases of all Microsoft first-party titles. If backward compatible Xbox 360 games became accessible on PC handhelds, it would make Game Pass subscriptions even more valuable to PC gamers who currently can’t access that legacy content.
Potential Game Library Expansion
NateDrake specifically questioned whether the backward compatibility selection on PC would mirror current Xbox Series offerings or potentially expand beyond it. This raises interesting possibilities. The Xbox backward compatibility program on consoles is limited by licensing agreements and technical challenges specific to certain games. A fresh approach for Windows might allow Microsoft to renegotiate rights or solve technical issues that previously blocked specific titles.
However, reality suggests the opposite scenario is more likely. Bringing these games to an entirely new platform category could introduce additional licensing complications. Publishers and rights holders might demand new agreements for PC distribution even if the games already work on Xbox consoles. Some companies that existed during the Xbox 360 era have since gone out of business or been acquired, making rights negotiations complex or impossible.
Windows Central’s Jez Corden Connection
It’s worth noting that Windows Central journalist Jez Corden, who has reliable sources within Microsoft, has been hinting about backward compatibility developments for ROG devices, handhelds, and Windows systems. A ResetEra user referenced these hints in the thread where NateDrake made his comments. When credible sources independently point toward the same information, it typically indicates legitimate planning is underway even if timelines and details remain fluid.
Corden has been accurate about Microsoft’s gaming plans in the past, including early reporting on Xbox games going multiplatform before official announcements. His track record lends additional credibility to NateDrake’s claims about Microsoft exploring backward compatibility expansion to Windows-based gaming devices.
Community Reaction and Skepticism
Gaming community responses have been cautiously optimistic but tempered with skepticism. Many Reddit users expressed excitement about the possibility of playing Xbox 360 classics on portable PC handhelds. The ROG Ally and similar devices have created genuine enthusiasm for portable PC gaming, but their libraries currently lack the nostalgia factor that backward compatibility would provide.
Others questioned whether Microsoft would actually follow through given the technical and business complexities involved. Some commenters noted that Microsoft has a history of ambitious backward compatibility plans that don’t always fully materialize. The original backward compatibility program took years to build out and never covered the entire Xbox or Xbox 360 library due to various limitations.
FAQs
Who is NateDrake and why should we trust this leak?
NateDrake, also known as NateTheHate, is a gaming industry insider with a track record of accurate leaks about Microsoft’s plans. He correctly reported that Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator would come to PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 before official announcements. His information is generally reliable though not infallible.
What is the ROG Ally mentioned in the leak?
The ASUS ROG Ally is a Windows-based gaming handheld similar to the Steam Deck but running a full Windows operating system. It can play PC games from Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox app, and other platforms. Microsoft has featured it prominently in their “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign.
How many Xbox 360 and original Xbox games are currently backward compatible?
Xbox Series X and S consoles currently support over 600 backward compatible titles from Xbox 360 and original Xbox eras through Microsoft’s backward compatibility program. Not all games from those generations are available due to licensing restrictions and technical limitations.
Would this work on Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck runs Linux by default, so this backward compatibility feature would likely only work if users installed Windows on their Steam Deck. The leak specifically mentions ROG and Windows platforms, suggesting it’s tied to the Windows operating system rather than being platform-agnostic.
When would Xbox 360 games come to PC handhelds?
No timeline has been mentioned. NateDrake emphasized that this is currently a hope or goal within Microsoft rather than a confirmed project with a release date. Given the technical and licensing challenges involved, implementation could take considerable time if it happens at all.
Will this replace the need for an Xbox console?
That appears to be Microsoft’s long-term strategy. By making Xbox games and services available across multiple devices including PC handhelds, smartphones, and smart TVs, Microsoft is positioning Xbox as a platform-agnostic ecosystem rather than requiring dedicated console hardware.
What games could be included in this backward compatibility expansion?
If it mirrors the current Xbox Series X|S library, it would include classics like Gears of War series, Halo Reach, Fallout 3 and New Vegas, Red Dead Redemption, BioShock series, and hundreds of other Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. However, the actual selection remains unknown.
Has Microsoft officially commented on this?
No, Microsoft has not made any official statements about bringing Xbox 360 or original Xbox backward compatibility to PC handhelds or Windows systems beyond Xbox consoles. This information comes entirely from insider sources and should be treated as unconfirmed rumor.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s potential plan to bring legacy Xbox games to PC handhelds and Windows systems represents another step in the company’s evolution from console manufacturer to gaming ecosystem provider. While technical and licensing challenges make success uncertain, the move would align perfectly with the “This is an Xbox” campaign and give PC handheld owners access to hundreds of classic games. Whether Microsoft can actually pull this off remains to be seen, but the fact that credible insiders are hearing about internal discussions suggests the company is seriously exploring the possibility. For gamers who own devices like the ROG Ally, the prospect of playing Halo 3 or Gears of War on a portable Windows handheld with official support rather than emulation workarounds would be a game-changer.