Xbox Series X: The 10 Best Xbox One Games For Backward Compatibility

The Xbox Series X is a hugely celebrated development in the next-gen console war and boasts a number of exciting titles. The platform is also granting backward compatibility with the Xbox One, allowing players to take some of their favorite games and enjoy the upgrades brought to them through this latest technology.

Many of these titles have been optimized in some capacity so that they can take full advantage of the upgrade available. However, while development teams continue to work on bringing even more games to the Xbox Series X, these releases are absolutely worth checking out, especially if fans already have the disc to hand!

Honorable Mention – Portal 2 (2011)

2011’s Portal 2 was released as an Xbox 360 title by Valve Corporation, but it has been so well received since its debut that it has constantly been updated to allow for backward compatibility, most notably with Xbox One. Fans can now experience both the incredible co-op play and intense solo campaign on the Series X though.

The game runs at 30 FPS on the Xbox Series X, but the real treat here is not just remarkably faster loading times, but 4K resolution. Although it hasn’t been updated in great depth, the visual differences between the original release and the Xbox Series X iteration is game-changing.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Out of the Western games available on the market, none have had the cultural impact in the industry as Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a gorgeously designed game, with plenty of compelling side-quests to complete and an impressively detailed open world to explore.

Although it’s plausible that the game will be re-released on Xbox Series X because of its popularity, the Xbox One disc is useable on the next-gen console. It runs at 30 FPS and boasts both 4K resolution and HDR display, as well as featuring the Xbox Enhanced logo which signifies specific updates which are tailor-made for Red Dead Redemption 2. 

Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

The iconic Grand Theft Auto V is categorically one of the best-selling video games of all time. Its addictive gameplay and optional narratives are deeply immersive for audiences and its graphics certainly back-up its storytelling. There’s already work being done on a completely upgraded remake version of the game on Xbox Series X from Rockstar.

But the Xbox One version is still backward compatible with Series X. Transferring the saved progress is a major bonus of this move, and although the FPS speed is not improved, there is a clear graphical enhancement in playing on the latest technology, with better loading speeds and much sharper picture quality.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed title set within Ancient Greece features stunning vistas, genuinely breathtaking map design, and fantastically fun gameplay elements which play upon the best features of the series. It already utilizes everything available to developers on the Xbox One.

Ultimately, Odyssey utilizes the Xbox Enhanced software available, featuring original patches that rely on 30 FPS but allow for both HDR and 4k resolution. Since its original update though, further patches have been brought in to bring the game up to an incredible 60 FPS. The difference is stark and the title looks simply beautiful.

Mad Max (2015)

The Mad Max video game, an original narrative based on the cinematic world, is a hugely underrated title from Avalanche Studios Group, Mindscape, Gray Matter, and Warner Bros. which deserves far more attention. There may be no better way to experience this story than on Xbox Series X.

It hasn’t exactly garnered the attention from its developers as some of the other games which have been patched for Series X have received, but Mad Max has been brought to next-gen with a glorious 60 FPS boost. It contains some visual improvements in the way of HDR upgrades as well, allowing for the barren landscapes to really come to life.

Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)

2019’s Jedi: Fallen Order, a Respawn Star Wars game taking audiences to the galaxy far far away is actually available on Xbox Series X and allows for an upgrade to the next-gen iteration. Regardless of the variation, the title’s many locations and planets, as well as the character designs, look stunning.

Even if it is available in a true Series X format, the backward compatibility patches include options of 30 or 60 FPS, 4K, and HDR improvements, alongside confirmed 1080p options for the faster frame rates to allow for a smooth gameplay experience. It’s a transformative way to interact with this release.

Titanfall 2 (2016)

Respawn’s Titanfall series and subsequent spin-offs were surprise hits yet somehow still underrated in the accolades given to them. The mech gameplay is out of this world and graphically the title continues to look stunning. It’s even amazing how well Titanfall 2 runs online, considering the chaos that can ensue.

Xbox is continuing to push this franchise, bringing it to Xbox Series X through backward compatibility. The patches have given the game 4K resolution so that those graphics and realistic materials absolutely thrive on next-gen, alongside a 60 FPS rate and even dynamic scaling. Nothing has been left to chance here and it’s easily the best way to play Titanfall 2. 

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (2015)

It’s hard to ignore the incredible fan feedback which Wild Hunt has garnered from Witcher players and the range of new eyes that are consistently being brought to this masterful game. It already plays to every single strength of the Xbox One and is being remade for Xbox Series X as a native title.

But in regards to backward compatibility, this CD Projekt project has both HDR and 4K patches, alongside various performance versus graphical quality options which flirt between both 30 and 60 FPS. Dynamic resolution is at the forefront of the upgrades here and the world itself certainly benefits from these next-gen opportunities which play into Xbox’s Enhanced branding.

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider (2018)

The well-received Shadow Of The Tomb Raider gorgeously caps off the latest range of games from the franchise, designed by Square Enix and largely released on the Xbox One. It’s the narrative that is the most compelling factor here, although the environmental choices and tombs themselves are deeply designed.

Another title that boasts the Enhanced branding, this Tomb Raider outing has options for both performance and visual quality, flicking between 30 and 60 FPS alongside those trademark HDR and 4K images. Interestingly the options are referred to as enriched visuals, native 4K, and high frame rate, allowing for a more nuanced choice for players.

Monster Hunter: World (2018)

2018’s Monster Hunter: World was a great installment into this ongoing series, featuring a range of imaginatively designed beasts and gameplay that demonstrates that Capcom has really mastered the format. That world itself is definitely a highlight of the release though.

The setting absolutely benefits from the backward compatibility to Xbox Series X, considering the 30 and 60 FPS options which improves gameplay and 4K resolution that allows the image to feel so much more detailed. Faster loading speeds and smoother movements allow the title to be imbued with a kinetic pace that plays on Xbox’s Enhanced logo.

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