Xbox 360 Backward Compatibility List Confirmed

Following today's Xbox 360 launch line-up announcement, Microsoft has also announced an initial list of 212 Xbox titles which will be fully compatible with the Xbox 360 from the date of the North American launch. The full list of titles can be found at Microsoft’s official Xbox.com site, and cover the vast majority of the format’s most recognized titles, including Halo 1 and 2, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Ninja Gaiden, Forza Motorsport, Jade Empire and Fable. Current notable omissions from the list include Dead or Alive Ultimate, Project Gotham Racing 1 and 2, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Doom 3 and Splinter Cell 1, 2 and 3. However, Microsoft has committed to continuing to expand the list of games and making them available for download from Xbox Live. The company has also clarified the method by which backward compatibility will operated, explaining that the games will require downloaded files in order to work on an Xbox 360, with the files necessary to run Halo 1 and 2 installed by default on the Xbox 360's hard disc - these must be updated in order to work online. Specific files for each game must be downloaded from Xbox Live, with those unable to access Microsoft’s online service (at current figures, around 90 percent of Xbox owners) able to burn the files to CD from a home computer. Alternatively, the drivers can be requested from Microsoft via mail for a fee, although this service will be free to users in Japan. One feature that will be welcomed warmly by fans is the ability to play all of the games over Xbox Live no matter which console is being used – allowing Xbox owners to play against Xbox 360 owners. All of the games will also be available in 720p/1080i on the Xbox 360, including full-screen anti-aliasing, a feature previously announced only for Halo 1 and 2.