Back in 2015, Microsoft introduced gamers of an update for Xbox One that will finally allow backward compatibility. This is done by inserting the supported game into your console which will prompt players to install the game. As a result, gamers can play their collection of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. However, it’s worth noting that not every video game from the Xbox and Xbox 360 library is supported.
Microsoft is continuing to add support to this program by adding more games into the backward compatibility list. In this list, we’re looking at seven original Xbox exclusive games that are currently supported on the Xbox One.
#7 Blinx: The Time Sweeper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kx4ZzGuM2g
- Developer: Artoon
- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
- Release: October 7, 2002
Blinx: The Time Sweeper is a platform game where players take the control of Blinx, a cat who is set on a quest to save his dimension along with rescuing the princess from an evil group known as the Tom-Tom Gang. This is a third-person platformer where Blinx is equipped with a powerful vacuum cleaner known as the TS-1000 that can manipulate time.
The game had a mediocre reception when it released and it even spawned a sequel, Blinx 2: Battle of Time and Space though at the time of writing this article, the sequel has not been included for Xbox One backward compatibility.
#6 Breakdown
- Developer: Namco
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: March 16, 2004
Breakdown was a generally hyped video game release from Namco. The game is a first-person shooter that mixes in hand-to-hand combat. Within the narrative journey, players are tossed into the role of a man named Derrick Cole who suffers from amnesia. Early on you find yourself in a lab doing tests while also discovering that you have a unique supernatural power.
It doesn’t take very long for things to go south and before you know it, Derrick is a wanted dead man. This leaves you with a series of questions you’re desperately trying to answer. Gameplay reception seems to be mixed when it comes to Breakdown. The biggest challenge players will come against is multiple enemies attacking which can get rather cheap.
Regardless, this title will keep you going as you learn more about Derrick’s history, a strange alien phenomenon occurring and secret government plans.
#5 Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neJWs2TqzVo
- Developer: Raven Software
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Release: September 17, 2003
While Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy did not have as big of a reception and response in comparison to BioWare’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is still a fun game. This title takes place after the events of Jedi Outcast where players take on the role of Jaden, an apprentice to the Jedi who heads to the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV. Under the direction of Jedi Masters Kyle Katarn and Luke Skywalker, players soon unravel a new plot by the Sith which leads you across the galaxy in attempt to stop their sinister plot.
Gameplay can be switched from first-person to third-person where players can use a variety of weapons and lightsabers. There is some customization available within the game which range from the look of your lightsaber along with the fighting stances and attacks.
#4 Fable
- Developer: Big Blue Box Studios, Lionhead Studios
- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
- Release: September 14, 2004
Fable is easily one of the more iconic Microsoft exclusive titles which spawned a full series. Overall, this is an action RPG where players take on the role of a young boy. Early on in the narrative journey, your village is destroyed along with your family leaving our protagonist alone until an old hero manages to take you in.
After spending some time training to be an adventurer, the game allows the protagonist hero to continue on with their journey which is full of twists and turns. The interesting aspect of this game is that the title will allow players to decide if they should be good or evil and as time progresses, you’re characters appearance along with their reception will alter.
While Fable has continued on with a series of its own, there have been remastered versions of this first installment made available on the PC and Xbox 360 platforms. Regardless, this is definitely one original Xbox game that should be included in your collection and enjoyed today.
#3 Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- Developer: FASA Studio
- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
- Release: October 21, 2003
Crimson Skies has been a media franchise since its initial debut in 1998 as a board game. This franchise quickly became adapted into a video game with Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge being an exclusive to Microsoft. Overall, this is an arcade flight combat game where North America has been split into opposing states. Set in an alternate 1930s, America has never established a highway thus air travel became primary over ground vehicles.
Players take the role of Nathan Zachary who is part of a pirate group known as the Fortune Hunters where he is after revenge due to the death of a close friend. Because the game is more arcade based, players will not have to worry about the more technical aspects of operating an aircraft. Instead, operating a plane is more smooth and relaxed while the focus is about the intense action-packed dogfights and speeding through the open skies.
#2 Jade Empire
- Developer: BioWare
- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
- Release: April 12, 2005
Coming off the success of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, BioWare delivered yet another in-depth action RPG for fans with Jade Empire. This video game brought over much of the same overall gameplay mechanics from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic that gamers fell in love with, but instead of a science fiction space opera, Jade Empire was set in an ancient fantasy.
This game follows ancient Chinese mythologies and being a BioWare game, there’s an emphasis on giving players more control on how the story pans out. Players will take control of a kung fu master and it’s with these finely tuned skills that our protagonist can bring peace into the lands or demolish the world with pain and misery.
Being a BioWare developed title, gamers can expect to meet and interact with a wide range of NPCs, tweak their character to unlock new combat skills, explore the lands, and direct the narrative story to their desired pathway.
Despite the game being a hit, we never received a sequel. Instead, the project currently known to be in the works from BioWare is their upcoming release known as Anthem.
#1 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1&2
- Developer: BioWare
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Release: July 15, 2003
Easily one of the more iconic Star Wars video games to date, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic released in 2003 for the original Xbox. The game is RPG title developed under BioWare where the story takes place nearly four thousand years prior to the formation of the Galactic Empire. This is another grand RPG journey where the Sith placed a new armada against the Republic leaving players to step into the role of a Jedi and fight against the dark side of the Force.
This journey will have players searching the galaxy in an attempt to track down the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Malak. However, the journey throughout the game will present players with a variety of choices that will determine if your character will remain in the light side of the Force or if you will falter and end up within the dark side.
Throughout the game, you’ll be controlling a party of characters who will participate in ground-based combat. Also being an RPG title, there will be an ability to customize your character with various gear or weapons.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was such a hit that it spawned a sequel not long after however, because BioWare was busy with other development projects, the game was sent over to be worked on by Obsidian Entertainment where the narrative picks up five years after the events of the first game.
