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Xbox 360 games might get a second life on PC, and honestly, it’s about time.
A new report, spotted by The Verge, claims Microsoft wants to bring old Xbox 360 games to PC, handheld gaming PCs, and its next console, codenamed Project Helix. This would build on Microsoft’s recent move to bring original Xbox games to PC, which kicked off with four titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Conker: Live and Reloaded, and Crimson Skies: High Road.
What’s interesting is how much control developers would get. According to the report, studios that bring their Xbox 360 games to PC can set their own price and choose whether the game goes on Xbox Game Pass. That’s a fair bit of freedom for games that are, in some cases, close to two decades old.
A messier disc-to-digital plan
The report also touches on Microsoft’s disc-to-digital scheme. Pop a disc into an Xbox with a disc drive, and you’ll apparently get a digital licence tied to your account. Sell or trade that disc, the licence follows it to the new owner, meaning you lose access. It’s a clever idea on paper, but the beta for this programme has already been delayed with no new date given.
This all lands while Sony is going the opposite direction, planning to end physical PS5 discs entirely by January 2028, a decision that’s caused enough backlash that Sony had to address it during an investor call.
Xbox isn’t exactly in a comfortable spot either. Recent layoffs have hit several studios, console prices have jumped hard in Europe, and another price hike in 2027 hasn’t been ruled out. Bringing back old Xbox 360 games is a nice gesture, but it won’t fix the bigger picture.
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