Building on the good work done by its predecessor, the Xbox Series X (and, by extension, the Xbox Series S) will not only be backwards compatible with the Xbox One's library but the console will also run plenty of Xbox 360 titles and a few from Microsoft's original system. At the moment, the Xbox One and Series X|S are compatible with 39 titles from the original console, which is better than nothing but hardly an impressive amount.
The Xbox produced plenty of exclusive titles that, while not masterpieces, were worthy additions to its decently sized library. Most of these games have been left in the past, IPs that are unlikely to spawn new sequels and cannot justify remakes. By making these games available to play on Microsoft's modern systems, it could help spark renewed interest in them.
Disclaimer: Games that are backwards compatible with the Xbox 360 but not the Xbox One will still be considered.
10 Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space
As the first Blinx game is backwards compatible, it only makes sense to add the sequel. Like Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space is a flawed but sporadically fun platformer that plays around with time-manipulation mechanics and puzzles. Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space bizarrely does not feature Blinx as the protagonist, as players are charged with creating their own cats and pigs to play through a storyline told from the perspectives of both the heroes and villains.
While not an especially great game, Blinx 2 is a key part of Microsoft's early history, as the company attempted (and failed) to establish its own adorable mascot.
9 Phantom Crash
As MechAssault's multiplayer-driven nature and Steel Battalion's unique controller make them hard sells for backwards compatibility, Phantom Crash will just have to do. Released in 2002, Phantom Crash might not be as celebrated as some other mecha games on the original Xbox, but it still gets a lot of things right.
While the arena-based combat is furious and addictive, Phantom Crash's customization system is its true selling point. With every win, players can buy parts to upgrade their SVs, and there are plenty of options.
8 Gunvalkyrie
After putting the Dreamcast out of its misery, Sega settled down as a publisher, a move that benefitted the Xbox. Gunvalkyrie is the type of game that defined Sega during the early 2000s; gorgeous, unique, and drenched in arcadey goodness. Over the course of 10 levels, players shoot their way through hordes of enemies while trying to come to grips with an unorthodox control scheme.
For fans who like a challenge and can dedicate the time to learn the ins and outs of the game's controls, Gunvalkyrie can be plenty of fun.
7 Crimson Sea
Developed by Koei, Crimson Sea is a mishmash of genres that comes together to create a surprisingly enjoyable adventure. The gameplay favors immediacy through hack and slash close-quarters combat, but slashing away at foes is complemented with ranged and magical attacks.
When not completing missions that generally involve demolishing hundreds of enemies, Crimson Sea slows things down to allow for character moments that would not be out of place in an RPG.
6 ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth
ToeJam & Earl's sequels never quite managed to recapture the magic of the franchise's first game, but they all have their positives. The most polarizing entry in the series, ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth will either leave someone scratching their heads at the terrible dialogue and repetitive levels or wondering why this blast from the past is not talked about more.
Even though ToeJam & Earl III felt dated back in 2002, its gameplay did take a number of risks that highlighted a willingness by the developer to experiment.
5 Brute Force
A squad-based shooter with some light melee combat, Brute Force will not blow anyone away but it should entertain them. While Digital Anvil's 2003 game lacks the polish that defines the Xbox's top tier titles, Brute Force delivers a fun combat system with four playable characters that make up for their lack of personalities with cool special moves.
Brute Force could be completed over a weekend, something that might be easier to accomplish if it were playable on the Xbox Series X|S.
4 Project Gotham Racing 2
Perhaps due to licensing rights, the Project Gotham Racing series might be destined to never be made backwards compatible. All of the four games released on Xbox consoles are fantastic racers that hold up well, and Project Gotham Racing 2 might just be the pick of the bunch.
Besides outracing the opposition, Project Gotham Racing 2 also expects players to look cool while doing it. The franchise's key feature is the kudos system, which rewards points for completing stunts. When it comes to arcade racers, Project Gotham Racing 2 is among the best.
3 Jet Set Radio Future
Overshadowed somewhat by the brilliant Jet Set Radio, Smilebit's sequel retains most of its predecessor's fundamentals while tweaking enough elements to develop its own character. By removing the timer that made the original game's levels so punishing and expanding upon the tricks available to the inline skater, Jet Set Radio Future delivers a more relaxing and explorative experience.
At the moment, Jet Set Radio HD can be played on the Xbox One, but the sequel has yet to make the jump. Hopefully, that changes in the future.
2 Otogi Games
During a time when FromSoftware was not synonymous with SoulsBorne titles, the developer experimented with a number of different IPs. The Armored Core and King's Field series were the most successful, but fans of the company's later games might find more to enjoy in FromSoftware's two Otogi games.
Both titles are hack and slash romps with challenging and rewarding combat, stunning (and destructive) environments, and narratives soaked in Japanese themes. The Otogi games deserved a lot more attention when they were first released, and that has not changed after nearly two decades.
1 Shin Megami Tensei: Nine
The only Shin Megami Tensei game released exclusively on the Xbox, Nine never made it out of Japan. A sequel to the original Shin Megami Tensei, Nine tasks players with protecting a virtual world from demonic invaders. Like the main series, negotiating with demons is a big part of the experience, as they can then be summoned during combat. Nine also has a morality system that impacts the story and gameplay.
Shin Megami Tensei: Nine has been all but forgotten, especially since the Xbox is not known for JRPGs. While too flawed to warrant a remaster, Nine would be a neat addition to the Xbox One's catalog of backwards compatible games.