Delisted Xbox 360 games briefly reappear on the Xbox Store — Microsoft prepares backward compatibility revival
Several delisted Xbox 360 games briefly reappeared on the Xbox Store this week earlier than being pulled once more, in response to the Better xCloud datamining account, which screens Microsoft‘s cloud gaming backend for adjustments. This follows Xbox Vice President Jason Ronald’s dedication at GDC 2026 in March to revive the firm’s backward compatibility program as a part of Xbox’s twenty fifth anniversary later this 12 months.
This occurred once more, this time with Aegis Wing and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. What’s taking place 👀?Meanwhile, Mars: War Logs (X360) received delisted unannounced. https://t.co/2eKp2ZnvvI pic.twitter.com/cwykCPFSFCApril 3, 2026
One or two unintended lists would possibly imply nothing, however the sample throughout 4 titles in fast succession has understandably caught consideration. The Better xCloud account, run by the developer behind the browser plugin of the identical identify, first flagged Armed and Dangerous as a potential mistake earlier than noting that subsequent appearances regarded intentional.
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At GDC 2026 in San FranciscoRonald instructed attendees that the sport preservation crew could be “rolling out new ways to play some of the most iconic games from our past” as a part of Xbox’s twenty fifth anniversary celebrations. Microsoft discontinued its backward compatibility program in 2021, citing licensing points and technical limitations that prevented additional titles from being added to the catalog.
The program initially launched in 2015 and introduced tons of of unique Xbox and Xbox 360 titles to Xbox One and later Xbox Series X|S. At its peak, the catalog included over 600 titles spanning two console generations. Since the hiatus, fan demand for its return has remained excessive, with the community-run Xbox Game Preservation web site monitoring which Original Xbox titles gamers most wish to see come again. Top-requested games on the website embrace Jet Set Radio Future, Sonic Heroesand The Simpsons: Hit & Run.
All this raises questions on how backward compatibility will work on Project Helix, Microsoft’s next-generation console powered by a customized AMD SoC. Microsoft has confirmed that Helix will play both Xbox console and PC gamesand Ronald described the machine as delivering an “order of magnitude” leap in ray tracing efficiency at the identical GDC presentation.
Speculation has centered on the risk that Microsoft’s preservation crew is working to convey Xbox 360 emulation to Windows PCs, which might maintain older titles accessible on each Helix and normal Windows 11 machines, however Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that.
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