One of the biggest surprises of Microsoft's E3 2017 press conference was the announcement that original Xbox backward compatibility would be coming to Xbox One. We now know the first 13 original Xbox games coming to Microsoft's latest console, and all of them will be playable starting tomorrow.

As announced earlier today by Microsoft, the first 13 original Xbox games coming to the Xbox One on October 24th are as follows:

  • Black
  • BloodRayne 2
  • Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
  • Dead to Rights
  • Fuzion Frenzy
  • Grabbed by the Ghoulies
  • Ninja Gaiden Black
  • Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
  • Psychonauts
  • Red Faction 2
  • Sid Meier's Pirates!
  • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
  • The King of Fighters Neowave
Psychonauts Screenshot

All 13 games are coming to the Xbox One with enhancements, including 1080p resolution, improved framerates, and faster loading times. Anyone that owns the disc for any of these games will be able to use it, and in the case of original Xbox games that were previously re-released for Xbox 360, digital copies will transfer as well. For those that don't own any of the backward compatibility titles, many will be available for digital purchase tomorrow for $9.99.

Overall, Microsoft's initial wave of original Xbox backward compatibility games is impressive, and includes some of the biggest titles released for the system. Games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Ninja Gaiden Black, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge especially stick out as classic games worth seeking out for Xbox One owners.

However, there are some big name OG Xbox titles that are suspiciously absent. For example, none of the Halo games are a part of the original Xbox backward compatibility lineup, which is odd as Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 stand as two of the best-selling and most highly praised games for the system. However, this could be because both games are available to play on Xbox One through Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and so Microsoft decided to focus on other titles instead.

Original Xbox Backward Compatibility Won't Be as Big as 360 - Original Xbox

Something else that may disappoint Xbox One owners when it comes to original Xbox backward compatibility is the lack of online multiplayer support. Xbox Live has been shut down for the original Xbox for years, and Microsoft doesn't have any plans to revive the services any time soon. Having said that, local multiplayer is still an option, including system link across different generations of Xbox consoles.

With support for system link multiplayer and by offering some of the highest-rated original Xbox games, Microsoft is off to a good start when it comes to original Xbox backward compatibility for Xbox One. Moving forward, fans should expect the service to improve thanks to the addition of more games, though they shouldn't expect support as comprehensive as Xbox 360 BC.

Original Xbox backward compatibility is coming to Xbox One on October 24th.