As part of the N7 Day celebrations, BioWare announces that Mass Effect 2 and 3 have both been added to the Xbox One backward compatibility list as of today.

This year's N7 Day has been exciting for Mass Effect fans. Not only were they treated to the stunning box art for Mass Effect: Andromeda, but BioWare also released a brand new cinematic trailer for the game. However, N7 Day wasn't just about Andromeda; it also celebrated the original trilogy by bringing the second and third games in the franchise to Xbox One.

As of right now, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 are part of the Xbox One backward compatibility lineup. This means that fans of the franchise can play through the entire original trilogy on Xbox One from start to finish while they wait for Mass Effect: Andromeda's release in 2017.

Since Andromeda takes place before the events of Mass Effect 3, save data from that game won't carry over to the new release. Even so, the chance to replay the original three games on Xbox One is a tempting prospect, and could serve as a great way to help fans refresh themselves on the franchise's lore in anticipation of Andromeda. It also makes Xbox One the only new-gen system where fans can experience the entire Mass Effect story from the beginning.

Adding blockbuster games like Mass Effect 2 and 3 to the lineup of Xbox One backward compatibility titles is advantageous for Microsoft, especially in a month that is seeing the PS4 Pro launch. Microsoft is currently on a three month sales winning streak over PS4, and while PS4 Pro is a serious threat to that momentum, Microsoft could counter it with bundles, discounts, and by making its backward compatibility feature as enticing as possible. When it comes to making backward compatibility enticing, Mass Effect 2 and 3 certainly fit the bill.

So, while Mass Effect 2 and 3 coming to the backward compatibility lineup is good news for Microsoft and Xbox One owners, it may be bad news for those holding out for a remastered trilogy. In the past, EA has been indecisive about whether or not the original Mass Effect games would get the remastered treatment, but with all three games now playable on Xbox One, the prospect seems even less likely.

While some may prefer to see the games remastered, others will enjoy the chance to play more of their Xbox 360 games on Xbox One. It will be interesting if the entire Mass Effect trilogy enjoy a sales boost like previous backward compatible titles have experienced in anticipation of Andromeda's release at some point next year.

Mass Effect 2 and 3 are playable now on Xbox One.

Source: IGN