Microsoft plans to make Xbox 360 games playable on PC through the Xbox app, leaked document reveals

Q: Which PCs will be able to run Xbox 360 games through the Xbox app — are there minimum OS or hardware requirements mentioned?

The article says Xbox 360 support will come to "any PC running the Xbox app," including handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally and Project Helix. The article does not mention any minimum operating system or hardware requirements.

Q: When is Xbox 360 support scheduled to roll out for PCs, handhelds, and Project Helix according to the leaked document?

The leaked document says Xbox 360 support is scheduled to roll out between 2027 and 2028 across next-gen devices, including PCs running the Xbox app, handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally, and Project Helix itself.

Q: Will Xbox 360 games on PC use emulation or some other compatibility layer as described in the article?

The primary article does not specify whether Xbox 360 games on PC will use emulation or another compatibility layer. Related coverage indicates Microsoft has used emulation for older Xbox titles and is reportedly working on an advanced emulation tool to bring Xbox 360 and original Xbox games to PC (see Related 1: "Xbox 360 tech powers backwards compatibility on PC, original Xbox games use Xefu emulation" and Related 2: "Microsoft to bring Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles to PC and handhelds").

Q: Does the leaked document say whether existing purchased Xbox 360 digital licenses will transfer to PC via the Xbox app?

The leaked document does not say whether existing purchased Xbox 360 digital licenses will transfer to PC via the Xbox app. It describes that developers can opt their Xbox 360 titles into the program and covers a disc-to-digital program for Xbox One and Series discs, but it does not state anything about transferring already purchased Xbox 360 digital licenses to PC.

Xbox 360 games could run on any PC with the Xbox app, including handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally, and on Project Helix after launch.

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Hassam Nasir

Tech Reporter

Published Aug 4, 2026 3:30 PM CDT

1 minute & 15 seconds read time

TL;DR: A leaked document shows Microsoft will bring Xbox 360 games to PCs via the Xbox app, handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally, and Project Helix, with developers able to opt in and set pricing and Game Pass participation; original Xbox PC support launches October 2026 and Xbox 360 support follows in 2027-2028.

Voice: Hassam NasirSpeed

0:00 / 2:21

Microsoft is bringing Xbox 360 games to PC through the Xbox app. A leaked document obtained by The Verge, sent to developers recently, reveals that Xbox 360 games are heading to PC, handheld devices, and the upcoming next-generation Project Helix console. This follows the company's recently announced plans to bring original Xbox games to PC, with developers now also getting the opportunity to bring their Xbox 360 titles along for the ride.

Game developers will be able to opt their Xbox 360 titles into the program, with control over pricing and whether their game enters Xbox Game Pass. The full launch of the original Xbox program on PC is set for October 2026, which will expand beyond the current four-game lineup. Xbox 360 support follows between 2027 and 2028 across what Microsoft calls next-gen devices, which includes any PC running the Xbox app, handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally, and Project Helix itself.

Microsoft plans to make Xbox 360 games playable on PC through the Xbox app, leaked document reveals 2

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The document also includes details about Microsoft's rumored disc-to-digital program. The program would grant players a digital license when they insert a physical Xbox One or Series disc into a console with a disc drive. That license would be tied to both the disc and the player's account, traveling with them across Xbox devices. If the disc changes hands, the license transfers to the new owner, meaning physical trading could still work in a meaningful way. The program was originally set for a beta last month with a full launch in August, but has since been delayed.

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Question #1

Which PCs will be able to run Xbox 360 games through the Xbox app — are there minimum OS or hardware requirements mentioned?

Question #2

When is Xbox 360 support scheduled to roll out for PCs, handhelds, and Project Helix according to the leaked document?

Question #3

Will Xbox 360 games on PC use emulation or some other compatibility layer as described in the article?

Question #4

Does the leaked document say whether existing purchased Xbox 360 digital licenses will transfer to PC via the Xbox app?

Have a question not listed here? Ask below and TweakBot will answer it.

That being said, Microsoft has already said that its next-generation Project Helix will play PC games, so making these older Xbox titles available on PC helps build a broader Xbox library that can travel between devices, similar to what's already possible with Steam. Creating all these digital licenses also helps set up for a future of consoles without disc drives.