Microsoft is constantly improving the Xbox user experience, updating existing features and releasing new apps. Recently, Microsoft upgraded the Edge web browser for Xbox, bringing a host of improvements to the Xbox web browsing experience. It's been discovered that gamers can use the Xbox Edge browser for more than just surfing the web, though; it can also be used to run classic PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64 games.
As explained by Pure Xbox and YouTuber Modern Vintage Gamer, the browser is capable of emulating PS1 and Nintendo 64 games, among other retro titles. These classic games are featured illegaly on various websites on the Internet, though they're all playable using the Microsoft Edge browser on Xbox. So while it can't be done legally, it is still technically possible for gamers to use the new Xbox Edge browser on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles to play classic games from the PS1 and Nintendo 64 era.
The new Xbox browser can be used to play newer games as well. Pure Xbox pointed out that Google Stadia is playable using the Xbox browser, giving players access to Stadia's library of games. While there is significant overlap between the Stadia library and the Xbox library already, there are a few Stadia exclusives that are now technically playable on Xbox using the console's new web browser.
This isn't the first time that an Xbox web browser update accidentally expanded the console's library of playable games. Previously, Microsoft updated the Xbox web browser to be able to play browser-based games, which made it possible for it to play a browser version of Super Mario 64.
It will be interesting to see if there's any changes made to the Xbox web browser so that this functionality is removed. It's unlikely that Xbox wants its users to access sites that are illegally emulating video games owned by its competitors. Nintendo's ROM lawsuits have attempted to remove these pirated games from the Internet, and it stands to reason that something could happen where these other websites are hit next.
In the meantime, those that want to play these classic games legally will soon have new options to do so. The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is releasing at the end of October, adding nine Nintendo 64 games to the Switch Online lineup. Nintendo plans on adding even more classic Nintendo 64 games to the Switch Online Expansion Pack in future as well, though the pricing and specific release date have yet to be revealed.
Source: Pure Xbox