Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to the Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program, signaling a return for future consoles later this year.

The revival aims to preserve games across four generations and enable cross-device play between console and PC for a consistent Xbox experience across screens.

Officials emphasize that the revival will simplify development paths, reduce costs for developers, and broaden player access across devices.

The Backwards Compatibility Program began in 2015 to let Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One titles run on current-gen hardware like the Series X, with the last wave released in 2021 and ongoing licensing and technical hurdles limiting catalog expansion.

At GDC 2026, Jason Ronald confirmed that new ways to play legacy Xbox games will be rolled out this year as part of the revival.