Microsoft brings Xbox 360 games to PC starting 2027

Microsoft plans to allow developers to bring Xbox 360 games to PC, according to a leaked document seen by The Verge on August 3, 2026.

They will run on the next-generation Project Helix console, “Xbox PCs,” and handheld devices.

Developers can opt in to make their Xbox 360 titles backward compatible, controlling pricing and Game Pass availability.

A separate disc-to-digital program, first reported by The Verge’s Tom Warren in July 2026, lets players convert physical discs into digital licenses. When an Xbox One or Series game disc is inserted into a compatible console, a license is tied to the disc and the account. The license stays with the player across Xbox devices, but if the disc changes hands, the license transfers, allowing continued trade and resale.

The Xbox 360 game rollout is expected to be gradual between 2027 and 2028 across next-gen devices, the document states.

Meanwhile, the original Xbox game program’s full launch is set for October 2026, after an initial July 2026 announcement with just four titles.

A public beta for the disc-to-digital program was originally planned for July 2026 with general availability in August 2026, but the beta was delayed. It is unclear if the August 2026 timeline still holds.

These moves follow Microsoft’s major Xbox reset in July 2026, which included thousands of layoffs and the sale of four studios.