Head Shot! Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Game Backwards Compatibility For Xbox One

Did Microsoft just win E3 before Sony even takes the stage? That might be overstating things just a tad, but this is pretty big news for the console gaming community — Microsoft just announced that the Xbox One will be able to natively play Xbox 360 titles later this year. Be still, my heart!

Better yet, gamers won’t have to spend one red cent to have access to their catalog of Xbox 360 games on an Xbox One console. If you previously purchased an Xbox 360 title from the Xbox Marketplace, the game will automatically be made available for you to download for free to your Xbox One. The alternative solution is to insert your old Xbox 360 game disc, after which your Xbox One will be able to download a digital copy to your hard drive. And that’s not all; these old Xbox 360 games will also be able to take advantage of Xbox One features like the ability to take screenshot, game streaming, and Game DVR.

Microsoft says that over 100 Xbox 360 games will be available to play on your Xbox One in time for the holiday season. By this time next year, Microsoft says that “hundreds” of titles will be accessible.

And here’s even better news from Microsoft’s Major Nelson:

Re Xbox One Back Compat: Game developers just need to approve titles showing up. Preview members will get it later today !

— Larry Hryb #XboxE3 (@majornelson) June 15, 2015

. @XboxP3 announces Xbox One Backward Compatibly. Play Xbox 360 games on Xbox One starting today for Preview members pic.twitter.com/P8ex2G0OO6

— Larry Hryb #XboxE3 (@majornelson) June 15, 2015