Microsoft Reportedly Working to Bring Xbox 360 Games to PC and Project Helix
Microsoft reportedly has plans to allow developers to bring their Xbox 360 games to PC, as well as other Xbox devices.
That's according to a leaked document sent to Microsoft's partners that was seen by The Verge. What appeared to be a portion of the document showing a roadmap for features set to come in the coming months and years also leaked over the weekend.
it looks like devs won’t have to do any engineering work to get Xbox 360 and Xbox games on PC. Microsoft’s Xbox PC emulator handles it all 👍 https://t.co/3veMXdaJb2 pic.twitter.com/daFEomcVUa— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 3, 2026
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it looks like devs won’t have to do any engineering work to get Xbox 360 and Xbox games on PC. Microsoft’s Xbox PC emulator handles it all 👍 https://t.co/3veMXdaJb2 pic.twitter.com/daFEomcVUa
The alleged plan is to allow players to play classic Xbox 360 titles not only on "Xbox PCs," but the upcoming Project Helix device and handheld hardware, as well. Microsoft previously announced a similar strategy in July, though backward compatibility on that front was limited to original Xbox games.
The report added that developers will have the freedom to bring their Xbox 360 games to the aforementioned devices – but the feature won't officially launch for some time. Potentially eligible titles aren't expected to begin their gradual rollout on next-gen Xbox hardware until sometime between 2027 and 2028. At that point, the expectation is reportedly that developers will be able to make their games backward compatible. They will also maintain control over pricing and Game Pass availability.
Original Xbox games were set to begin disc-to-digital testing for insiders last month, with availability for all coming this month. The Verge reported that the beta was delayed, so when that's still in the cards for is unclear.
The Verge reported early last month that Microsoft was exploring ways for players to digitally transfer their physical games. Today's report added some clarity to that, stating that physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X games placed in console disc drives will grant players a digital license that is bound to "that disc and the player's account." However, should a disc be traded with someone else, digital ownership can be swapped to that person.
In other words, should this strategy pan out, trading eligible Xbox discs will work similarly to how it has before we started careening toward an all-digital future. It's unclear if it's a solution that will be celebrated by players who have fought for physical media to stay.
The conversation surrounding how gaming company's are slowely doing away with physical media has heated up in recent months. Rockstar Games sparked fears online when it announced Grand Theft Auto 6 would launch with a code in its box instead of a disc. Those fears were then realized when Sony declared it would cease production for physical games starting in January 2028, a decision it's still feeling the reprecussions of.
How Microsoft will fit into an increasingly heavy digital gaming landscape remains to be seen, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see it do away with physical releases, too. While we wait to see how the future will pan out, you can see how Sony responded to the backlash last week. You can also read up on the Xbox console price increases that swept across Europe over the weekend.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).