Microsoft Explains Xbox Series X Backwards Compatibility Enhancements

Microsoft has explained how all backwards compatible games are enhanced by the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles.

Following Sony’s blog post last week detailing how the PS5 handles backwards compatibility, Microsoft has now revealed how its new consoles will enhance all previous Xbox games.

In a brand new post on the official Xbox website, Microsoft revealed how all of its backwards-compatible games will benefit from HDR (High Dynamic Range) visuals as well as improved resolutions and frame rates.

As explained in the post, all backwards-compatible games run natively on the Series X and Series S consoles, allowing games to run at higher performance than on their original console while also benefitting from improved load times.

The Xbox Series X and Series S’ Auto HDR feature will apply HDR enhancements to all backwards-compatible games, even those released before HDR was first introduced. The Auto HDR feature will automatically implement the enhancements at no extra cost to the console’s CPU, GPU, or memory, and without changing the original game’s art style.

Many backwards compatible games will also see improved textures, increased anisotropic filtering, and improved image quality too. What’s more, Microsoft is using the Heutchy method – which allowed them to bump up resolutions of past games to the Xbox One – to make a selection of backwards-compatible titles 1440p on the Series S and 4K on the Series X.

In addition to enhanced visuals, many backwards-compatible games will also benefit from steadier or improved frame rates to make the titles smoother to play, but not all past games will be applicable due to in-game physics or animations. For example, Fallout 4‘s frame rate has doubled from 30 frames-per-second to 60 frames-per-second on the new Xbox Series X and S consoles.

Microsoft’s blog post ended with the tech giant explaining that its backwards compatibility team has been working hard on improving all past Xbox games to make them playable and enjoyable on the upcoming Xbox consoles.

The company then explained how players will be able to access all of their backwards-compatible content. According to the post, players simply need to insert the disc of their backwards-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original Xbox game into the Xbox Series X to install the game.

Also, users will be able to transfer game installs from their Xbox One consoles if saved on an external drive, simply by plugging it in and playing. Cloud saves will also allow users to transfer their game saves between systems, even those from the Xbox 360.

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S consoles will launch November 10th, 2020 in the UK.