Microsoft brings original Xbox backward compatibility to PC via early access beta

Microsoft has launched an early access beta that enables backward compatibility for select original Xbox titles on PC. The initial lineup includes four games: Conker: Live and Reloaded, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. These titles run through an emulator based on the original Xbox 360 emulator, Z-Fu, which operates within an Xbox 360 environment on PC. While the emulation is generally accurate to the original console experience, the PC versions are currently limited to the original frame rate targets of 30 or 60 FPS. The emulator includes a settings menu for resolution scaling up to 2560x1920, VSync, MSAA, and anisotropic filtering. However, the current build contains a bug that breaks native resolution settings, often defaulting to lower figures unless Windows DPI scaling is adjusted to 100%. Additionally, some titles exhibit frame-pacing issues and minor visual bugs, such as shadow artifacts or character lighting discrepancies, which the development team plans to address in future updates.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

Microsoft has launched an early access beta that enables backward compatibility for select original Xbox titles on PC. The initial lineup includes four games: Conker: Live and Reloaded, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, and Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. These titles run through an emulator based on the original Xbox 360 emulator, Z-Fu, which operates within an Xbox 360 environment on PC. While the emulation is generally accurate to the original console experience, the PC versions are currently limited to the original frame rate targets of 30 or 60 FPS. The emulator includes a settings menu for resolution scaling up to 2560x1920, VSync, MSAA, and anisotropic filtering. However, the current build contains a bug that breaks native resolution settings, often defaulting to lower figures unless Windows DPI scaling is adjusted to 100%. Additionally, some titles exhibit frame-pacing issues and minor visual bugs, such as shadow artifacts or character lighting discrepancies, which the development team plans to address in future updates.

Four original Xbox titles are now playable on PC through a new early access beta program. The emulator is based on the original Xbox 360 emulator, Z-Fu, running within a virtualized environment.

PC users can adjust resolution, MSAA, and anisotropic filtering, though a bug currently affects resolution scaling. Most games are capped at 30 FPS, with Fuzion Frenzy being the only title in the initial set to support 60 FPS.

The PC version of Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge displays cleaner, less-aliased image quality compared to the Xbox Series X. The development team has confirmed plans to retroactively add achievements to these original Xbox titles in the coming months.

Chapter guide

IntroductionOverview of the new early access beta for original Xbox games on PC.The Initial LineupIntroduction to the four games included in the initial release.Settings and ResolutionExploration of the emulator's graphics, audio, and resolution settings.Visual ComparisonsSide-by-side visual analysis of PC versus Xbox Series X performance.Performance and Frame PacingAnalysis of frame rate targets and pacing issues in the current build.ROG Ally X TestingPerformance evaluation of the emulator on the ROG Ally X handheld.

Worth noting

  • The software is currently in an early access beta state, which accounts for reported bugs and performance inconsistencies.
  • The video contains a sponsored segment for the Alienware Area-51 gaming PC.
  • The reviewer noted that some footage had to be recaptured due to technical issues with the emulator.

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