Xbox 360 backwards compatibility debate.....

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in various gaming forums regarding the lack of backward compatibility for some of the more recent games on Xbox. A few names that have been mentioned are the most recent Madden, the last couple of Burnout games, the most recent Project Gotham Racing game and SSX Tricky. All of these games were extremely popular on the Xbox. They also are all games that have sequels coming out on the 360. Rumors abound that Microsoft and EA are intentionally holding back compatibility for these games to make sure that the next-gen version of these series is the only one available on the new console while allowing compatibility for games such as XXX BMX and Barbie Horse Adventures.

Any thoughts on this tactic and how it could affect people who own or are thinking about buying the 360? It would seem to be a cheap shot to the loyal customers who bought the 360 at launch from my own personal perspective.

[dervack]

I don't buy it. There are a lot of games that aren't on the list that don't have sequels coming soon also. I think it's just people who like to spread rumors because they can, that's all.

[TroyF]

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in various gaming forums regarding the lack of backward compatibility for some of the more recent games on Xbox. A few names that have been mentioned are the most recent Madden, the last couple of Burnout games, the most recent Project Gotham Racing game and SSX Tricky. All of these games were extremely popular on the Xbox. They also are all games that have sequels coming out on the 360. Rumors abound that Microsoft and EA are intentionally holding back compatibility for these games to make sure that the next-gen version of these series is the only one available on the new console while allowing compatibility for games such as XXX BMX and Barbie Horse Adventures.

Any thoughts on this tactic and how it could affect people who own or are thinking about buying the 360? It would seem to be a cheap shot to the loyal customers who bought the 360 at launch from my own personal perspective.


I know this is a serious issue for some people. For me it has never been a concern. I only played one PS game on my PS2. As of yet, I haven't played a single title for the Xbox on the 360. (though when I get back from my vacation I would like to try some Halo2 over live and compare it to Perfect Dark Zero.

I consider that a bonus, not a given. I understand I'm probably in the minority with this.

[dervack]

I know this is a serious issue for some people. For me it has never been a concern. I only played one PS game on my PS2. As of yet, I haven't played a single title for the Xbox on the 360. (though when I get back from my vacation I would like to try some Halo2 over live and compare it to Perfect Dark Zero.

I consider that a bonus, not a given. I understand I'm probably in the minority with this.
Yeah, same here. Once I bought a PS2, I got rid of all my PS1 games because all the games were coming out for the PS2. I own 2 Xbox games, one is backwards compatible that I have played on the 360, and one that isn't, but I wish it was. If it never is, so be it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I don't buy it. There are a lot of games that aren't on the list that don't have sequels coming soon also. I think it's just people who like to spread rumors because they can, that's all.

Actually just found a link to an article on the BBC news site that discussed the backward compatibility issue in addition to a pounding of EA's titles. Judging from the good discussion revolving around NBA 2K6 on this site and others, EA probably deserves this kind of press.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4509798.stm

[Vince]

I have played (and still play) a ton of PS1 games on my PS2. I really have nothing more to add to this conversation though :)

[spleen1015]

I was disappoitned that X-Men Legends 2 isn't compatible.

This is what I get for assuming that MS would make all games work, though.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Since I already have an XBox, I don't really care which games are backward compatible. I don't have my 360 yet (I should call GameStop and get an update on when my reservation might be available), but I'll just connect both machines to the same TV and use a switchbox to go between the two. I understand that not everybody can do that, and not everybody will want to do that, but it won't bother me.

I'm sure that many people will be upset over the lack of 100% backward compatibility, but in the long run, pretty much everybody will get over it. At the very least, the people who don't get over it probably won't make much difference in the matter anyway.

[Kodos]

I would think as the visual drop from generation to generation becomes less noticable, my desire to play previous generation games will drop. Going back to a PS1 Madden once I played it on PS2 was impossible, but I could see going back to replay Silent Hill or Ratchet and Clank on PS3.

[SackAttack]

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in various gaming forums regarding the lack of backward compatibility for some of the more recent games on Xbox.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were all the recent games, as each title has to pass hand certification for backwards compatibility. It's easier for games already on the shelves to do that than games that are still coming out, since the certification process would impede their path to retail.

A few names that have been mentioned are the most recent Madden, the last couple of Burnout games, the most recent Project Gotham Racing game and SSX Tricky.

#1: Madden 2006 is also available on Xbox 360.
#2: It's in EA's best interest that 360 owners should buy the new game, rather than the old.
#3: It's in Microsoft's best interest to keep EA as a valued Xbox Live partner.

Just a hunch that if you play connect-the-dots, you'll see what I'm driving at.

All of these games were extremely popular on the Xbox. They also are all games that have sequels coming out on the 360. Rumors abound that Microsoft and EA are intentionally holding back compatibility for these games to make sure that the next-gen version of these series is the only one available on the new console while allowing compatibility for games such as XXX BMX and Barbie Horse Adventures.

I think that's happening to a certain extent -protect the franchise if a sequel is imminent (where's Burnout, for example?), but it certainly isn't happening in every case - the original Prince of Persia is still playable, despite The Two Thrones' recent release. The Splinter Cell games are now playable as well, despite Splinter Cell 4's imminent release.

That it's happening with some titles, I have no doubt. I don't think it's a tactic Microsoft necessarily wants to use, but I do think EA has them over a barrel more than any other company. We've seen in the past what happens when EA gives short shrift to a console, and Microsoft doesn't want that.

However, the recent addition of the Tom Clancy games tells me that it's not a universal happenstance.

[kingnebwsu]

It's disappointing to say the least. I didn't play a lot of PS1 games on my PS2, but I DID play enough to make it a viable feature of the system. Hell, in 5 years I'll still be playing Um Jammer Lammy and the classic DDR games (from the PS1) on the PS3 if it supports it.

Every system from now on should support 100% backwards compatibility.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Every system from now on should support 100% backwards compatibility.
Why? So you don't need to keep multiple systems lying around? I'm not trying to be an ass. It's just that I don't quite understand the need for the backwards compatibility, as I'm simply going to keep my XBox for XBox games and use my XBox 360 for XBox 360 games.

[SackAttack]

Why? So you don't need to keep multiple systems lying around? I'm not trying to be an ass. It's just that I don't quite understand the need for the backwards compatibility, as I'm simply going to keep my XBox for XBox games and use my XBox 360 for XBox 360 games.

Some people use their old consoles to help finance the purchase of a new one. Ever notice how EB will frequently do those "trade in a console and three games and get $125 off the purchase of a new <fill in the system>"?

If the system doesn't support full backwards compatibility, it's harder to use the old one to do that if you still plan to play the older games.

That said.

I think Microsoft's situation was unique here. They contracted Intel and ATI to design new hardware for them - hardware for which they control the patents - so future backwards compatibility won't be so much the issue.

With original Xbox, they used off-the-shelf parts, and their contract with Nvidia is basically such that software emulation is the only way they can have backwards compatibility without litigation. Sucks, and it opens the door for stuff like the perceived EA shenanigans, but it shouldn't happen again with future consoles.

[ZXTT]

Backwards compatablility is nice, but won't affect any decisions on my part at all. I'll play my Xbox games on my Xbox, if at all, after I get a 360. For me, most games have barely a year's worth of life anyway.

[Airhog]

the biggest problem with backwards compatibility is that it locks you in. That is why you are very slow to see change in technology in PC's. I would rather not see it in consoles.

[WrongWay]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were all the recent games, as each title has to pass hand certification for backwards compatibility. It's easier for games already on the shelves to do that than games that are still coming out, since the certification process would impede their path to retail.
Like I have posted here before I will not be happy untill I can play The Warriors on the 360.

[kingnebwsu]

It's not gonna affect my decision to buy the console...or maybe it will a bit. I guess I can play Halo 2 online which is what I've pretty much been doing lately. I also like to play NBA 2k6, Phantom Dust, and Splinter Cell. I'm about halfway there on those games being able to run on the 360 ( and I know about the new 2k6 on the 360) ;)