Xbox 25th Anniversary Adds 21 Classic Titles to PC Backward Compatibility, Including First-Ever Achievements for Four Games

Key points

• Microsoft added 21 new original Xbox games to its PC backward compatibility program, bringing the total to 25 titles.
• The release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Xbox console.
• 11 of the 21 new titles are Star Wars games, including Knights of the Old Republic, Battlefront II, and Republic Commando.
• Four games—KotOR, KotOR II, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, and Conker: Live and Reloaded—now support achievements for the first time.
• Achievements are available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles, requiring a system update to enable.
• All 25 backward-compatible games now support mouse and keyboard input.

Background

In July 2026, Microsoft launched the initial four original Xbox games on PC as part of its backward compatibility program. In October 2026, users reported that original Xbox titles were appearing in their Xbox profile achievement histories with zero achievements, hinting at an upcoming rollout. The current release expands the program significantly and introduces achievement support for the first time, aligning with Microsoft's broader strategy to maintain relevance of classic titles across platforms.

How outlets are covering it

Kotaku highlights the heavy concentration of Star Wars titles in the new batch, noting that 11 of the 21 new games are Star Wars-related, which may skew the perception of the original Xbox's library. Xbox Wire emphasizes the milestone of 25 games for 25 years and the introduction of achievements as a top-requested feature. TechPowerUp focuses on the technical expansion of the program and notes that some titles were already available on PC through other means, questioning the necessity of the backward compatibility program for those games. Pure Xbox highlights the achievement rollout and the need for a system update to enable them, while also noting that some users may see achievements unlock retroactively based on prior progress.

Why it matters

The expansion of the backward compatibility program and the introduction of achievements for classic titles help maintain the relevance of original Xbox games for current players. It also supports Microsoft's strategy to keep older titles accessible and engaging across multiple platforms, including PC and modern consoles. The addition of achievements may encourage players to revisit classic games and could influence future decisions regarding the preservation and support of older titles.

What to watch

Microsoft plans to add achievements to more original Xbox games in the future. The company may also expand the backward compatibility program to include additional titles, potentially addressing gaps in the current library. The success of the achievement rollout and player engagement with the new titles may influence future decisions regarding the preservation and support of classic games.