Due to licensing issues (among other reasons), it can be difficult for companies like Microsoft to make a game backward compatible. Xbox One's library of backward compatible games is still expanding, so there is not telling what game is next. Fingers crossed, Xbox enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for their favorite titles to play on Xbox One.
There are still a significant number of games that are not backward compatible for the Xbox One. In some cases, Sony is outdoing Xbox by remastering fan-favorite classic games like Red Dead Revolver. By missing out on needed games, Microsoft is alienating their fanbase and encouraging people to buy a PlayStation 4. These are 10 Original Xbox Games we wish were backward compatible.
10 10. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
For those who are not familiar with The Simpsons: Hit & Run, try thinking of Grand Theft Auto meets The Simpsons. As the spiritual successor to The Simpsons: Road Rage, The Simpsons: Hit & Run lets players roam the city of Springfield. Visiting places such as Moe's Tavern, The Itchy & Scratchy Store, Noiseland Arcade, Krusty Burger, and the Kwik-E-Mart is a Simpsons fan's dream come true. Critics agree that The Simpsons: Hit & Run improved on The Simpsons: Road Rage by retouching the game's core elements.
9 9. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
Although it would be nice to see Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 be backward compatible, we can't help but feel that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 has a slight edge. The majority of people consider the third Tony Hawk game as the most excellent skateboarding game of all time.
Electronic Arts' Skate 3 is a superb franchise, but Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was the first to popularize skateboarding video games. It offered unprecedented visuals and the opportunity to skate around modern cities. Made by different development companies, 2015's Tony Hawk Pro Skater 5 was a complete failure and is not representative of other Tony Hawk games.
8 8. Need For Speed: Most Wanted
Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a thrill ride all the way through. It didn't have neon like Need For Speed: Underground, but it did have drastically improved racing gameplay and an explorable open-world that is worth re-exploring.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted sold approximately 16 million copies. Many people are surprised that not a single Need for Speed game has been made backward compatible for the Xbox One. Need For Speed: Most Wanted could be the best Need For Speed game ever made, and we can only hope that it is brought to the Xbox One.
7 7. Silent Hill 2 (Original)
Sure, Microsoft added Silent Hill HD Collection to the list of backward compatible games. Silent Hill HD Collection contains Silent Hill 2 and 3. Unfortunately, Silent Hill HD Collection did not live up to expectations and is considered one of the biggest fails in remastered games history. Silent Hill HD Collection used a grain filter that removed the town's fog, diminishing the eerie atmosphere.
While the original Silent Hill 2 that released for Xbox is an exceptional entry, Silent Hill HD Collection is an utter disaster. Fans will be thrown for a loop if Silent Hill 2 comes to the Xbox One.
6 6. ESPN NFL 2K5
In recent times, EA has tried to improve Madden by adding a story mode, but the game should have more content. Many agree that the NFL 2K franchise made by 2K Sports is superior to EA's Madden. By bringing back ESPN NFL 2K5, people will find out what a good NFL game looks like. Unlocking items and mini-games for a living space called a "Crib" made progression so much more enjoyable.
Multiple NFL games in the market lead the way for competition between developers. We may not get a 2K NFL game for a while, but we can hope that Xbox adds ESPN NFL 2K5 to their backward compatible list.
5 5. Splinter Cell
It seems like for the most part, Ubisoft has ignored Splinter Cell for the Xbox One generation. The last Splinter Cell game to release was Splinter Cell: Blacklist for the Xbox 360, which had above average graphics and gameplay.
The original Splinter Cell introduced players to Sam Fisher, a member of a top-secret organization who is part of the National Security Agency (NSA). Splinter Cell's new approach to stealth made the game one of the best on the original Xbox. Unfortunately, Splinter Cell is not backward compatible even though other entries in the series are. We have yet to see Ubisoft make a sequel to Blacklist, but it may come sooner than you think.
4 4. Red Dead Revolver
Red Dead Revolver doesn't continue the story of John Marston since it takes place after the events of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Redemption. As a significant game in the Red Dead Redemption series, Red Dead Revolver's protagonist is Red Harlow, a cowboy who tries to avenge the death of his parents.
PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 both released remastered versions of Red Dead Revolver, but Xbox hasn't remastered it once. After the widely successful Red Dead Redemption 2, it seems like the right time to make Red Dead Revolver backward compatible.
3 3. The Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay
Every now and then, a game release surprises us by surpassing expectations. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is a game that relies on stealth to achieve objectives. Its amazing environments and enemy variety made the game stick out.
Surely a movie that is based on a video game couldn't be good. The Chronicles of Riddick game and the movie were both good with the game being the superior choice. Both the movie and the game were released in 2004, which added to the popularity of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. Escape from Butcher Bay is one of the few good games that had a movie. Microsoft needs to bring The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay to Xbox One right away.
2 2. Project Gotham Racing 2
Before there was Forza Motorsport, Project Gotham Racing stood as the most popular racing franchise on Xbox. Project Gotham Racing 2 was a significant improvement in gameplay compared to its predecessor.
With a vast lineup of cars to choose from and racing that remains enjoyable, there are too many reasons to make Project Gotham Racing 2 a backward compatible game for Xbox One. Neither Project Gotham Racing 2 for the original Xbox or Project Gotham Racing 4 for the Xbox 360 are backward compatible. Something is wrong when one of Xbox's best exclusives is missing from their lineup.
1 1. MechAssault
Before there was Titanfall and MechWarrior Online, there was Mech Assault. The Xbox exclusive was one of the first games people would buy for an Xbox. MechAssault was one of the first Xbox Live enabled games when it launched. Before MechAssault, online gaming on consoles was rare.
We may never have gotten a Titanfall if it weren't for the release of Mech Assault. Mech Assault popularised manned walking machines in gaming. Hopefully, this game becomes backward compatible for Xbox One to give players a taste of a memorable classic.