Xbox
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Xbox.
Latest coverage
Xbox version of Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game delayed by over a month, less than 24 hours before launch
PM Studios has announced a delay for Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game on Xbox, pushing its release to September 3rd due to unforeseen backend issues. The Nintendo Switch version will launch as planned today, but only the standard edition will be available, with cross-play and other features to be added later.
Stalker 2 developer refutes claims by studio founder that Xbox paid more than game's development cost to make it exclusive
GSC Game World has refuted claims made by studio founder Sergiy Grygorovych that Microsoft paid more than the development cost of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl to secure its timed Xbox exclusivity. The developer stated that Grygorovych was not involved in negotiations or development and that his comments do not accurately reflect the situation, noting that the majority of the budget was funded by studio owner Max Krippa.
Xbox announces backwards compatibility for PC and handheld devices
Xbox is expanding its backwards compatibility initiative to PC and handheld devices, starting with four classic titles: BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games will be available for purchase and via Game Pass, with existing digital licenses transferring to PC. This move is part of a broader effort to preserve Xbox games and bring them to PC, alongside enhancements for graphics and future Achievement support.
Palworld Has Accrued $700 Million Revenue in Its Lifetime – Rumor
Pocketpair's Palworld has reportedly generated $700 million in revenue from 30.5 million sales across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox platforms. The game has surpassed 40 million players and achieved a peak of nearly one million concurrent players on Steam. The article also notes that a significant portion of players have accumulated over 100 hours in the game.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Release Timings Revealed, Won’t Include Pre-Loads
Halo: Campaign Evolved will launch worldwide next week, with the Premium Edition available on July 23rd at 8 AM PDT and the Standard Edition on July 28th at the same time. Pre-loading will not be available, and while cross-progression and crossplay require a Microsoft account, official modding tools will not be supported, though monetized mods are prohibited.
PowerWash Simulator 2 STAR WARS Pack Review | TheXboxHub
The PowerWash Simulator 2 STAR WARS Pack offers six levels based on the original trilogy, including iconic locations like the Millennium Falcon and an AT-AT. While praised for its authenticity and relaxing gameplay, the review notes a lack of character appearances and a timid approach to the Star Wars universe, suggesting Disney's protective stance may have limited the DLC's potential for more engaging content.
Xbox brings backwards compatibility to PC
Xbox is expanding its backwards compatibility program to PC and handheld devices, making titles like Fuzion Frenzy and BLiNX: The Time Sweeper available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The update also includes new graphical settings for PC players, such as resolution upscaling and Vsync.
You Can Now Play Some Original Xbox Games On PC Via Backwards Compatibility
Xbox has announced that backwards compatibility is now available on PC, allowing players to access select original Xbox games. Jason Ronald, VP of Next Generation at Xbox, shared the news, confirming that four classic titles are now playable on the platform.
Microsoft launches Xbox backward compatibility for PC
Microsoft has begun rolling out Xbox backward compatibility for PC, starting with four classic titles: BliNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fusion Frenzy. These games support up to 4x resolution upscaling and enhanced graphics settings, with plans to add features like achievements in the future. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Xbox games and bring them to PC, occurring amidst industry-wide discussions on game preservation and recent layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
Disgaea Creator Says Sony May As Well Scrap PlayStation Consoles If It’s Killing Game Discs
Disgaea series creator Sohei Niikawa believes Sony should discontinue PlayStation consoles if it plans to eliminate physical game discs by 2028. Niikawa argues that physical editions foster a connection between fans and developers and serve as sentimental keepsakes. He suggests that executives making these decisions may not understand the value fans place on physical media.
Microsoft Announces Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC, With New Features and Achievements
Microsoft has announced the expansion of Xbox Backward Compatibility to PC, enabling players to enjoy classic console titles on their computers and handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. This new feature also introduces additional functionalities and achievements for these older games.
End of PlayStation discs will kill off CeX and used games market claim analysts
Analysts predict the end of the second-hand games market following Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to cease production of PlayStation game discs. Retailers like CeX, which rely heavily on physical media for trade-ins, are expected to be significantly impacted, potentially leading to their closure. This shift towards digital-only games is seen as a major threat to the multi-billion dollar used games industry.
A Kinect game that debuted in 2013 has been revived in the year of our lord 2026
Nex Playground announced the revival of Freefall Racers, a motion-controlled game originally released for Xbox 360 and Kinect in 2013. The updated version will feature full-body flying gameplay and enhanced controls optimized for the Nex Playground console, available through its Play Pass subscription service.
I Love Finding Pups Collector’s Edition Review | TheXboxHub
I Love Finding Pups Collector's Edition is a hidden object game for Xbox where players find pups and other items in photographic scenes, interspersed with spot-the-difference puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. While the game includes pups, they are not the primary focus, and the overall experience is described as a typical Ocean Media offering with a half-hearted theme and a lack of narrative momentum.
Stalker 2 Turned a Profit Before It Came Out Thanks to Money Microsoft Paid for Xbox Exclusivity
The founder of GSC Game World, the developer of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, stated that the game became profitable before its release due to Microsoft's payment for Xbox exclusivity. This deal secured the game's position as an Xbox console exclusive.
Xbox Reveals Four Classic Xbox Titles As Part Of "Backward Compatibility on PC"
Xbox has launched its "Backward Compatibility on PC" initiative, making four classic original Xbox titles available to play natively on PC with enhanced graphics options. The titles include BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy, all of which are also included in Xbox Game Pass. Future updates will bring achievements to these and other original Xbox games.
K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut Review | TheXboxHub
K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut is an idol management simulation with RPG elements that allows players to guide a new girl group towards stardom. While the game features a charming premise, likeable characters, and a variety of activities, it is held back by a lack of clarity in its social system, luck-based unlockables, and technical issues on Xbox, including a game-ending bug.
Mousebusters Review | TheXboxHub
Mousebusters is a single-player adventure game and a remake of Odencat's earlier mobile title, featuring a young man turned into a mouse who must rid an apartment building of ghosts. While the game boasts a surprisingly compelling narrative and beautiful pixel art, its gameplay is hampered by repetitiveness and a lack of challenge, particularly in its shoot 'em up style boss battles and item-gathering puzzles. The article suggests the game might have been better suited as a mobile exclusive but acknowledges its story is worth experiencing.
The History of Game Pass: How the Service Became Xbox’s Greatest Weapon
Introduced in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has evolved from a niche subscription service into a cornerstone of Microsoft's gaming strategy. By offering a vast library of games for a monthly fee, including all first-party titles at launch, it significantly lowered the barrier to entry and encouraged game discovery. Acquisitions of major studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard further bolstered its content, while cloud gaming expanded accessibility across devices. Despite challenges like licensing and profitability, Game Pass remains a key competitive advantage for Xbox, shaping the future of game distribution and player engagement.
Palworld has sold over 30m copies already, with Steam unsurprisingly emerging as the most popular platform
Palworld has surpassed 30 million in sales across all platforms, with Steam being the most popular. The game has also seen a significant boost in concurrent players following its 1.0 release. Pocketpair has teased potential skins and a possible collaboration with Fortnite, despite ongoing legal challenges.
