360 backwards compatibility list revealed

212 in total, we're told...

Microsoft have revealed that more than two-hundred Xbox games will run on the Xbox 360 from the word go, with pretty much all of the headline-grabbers making the initial list of supported titles. Both Halo games, Ninja Gaiden, Fable, the GTA titles, Knights of the Old Republic, and many more make the grade for the new platform's debut. With Redmond revealing late on Friday that other titles will be added to this expansive list over time. Not quite the bad news some were predicting, all in all. 212 games is reportedly the final total for launch, and we also learn that Xbox Live games will be playable between original and 360 Xbox platforms when taken online for multiplayer fun. This is particularly good news for Halo 2, we're guessing. That said, gamers enjoying these past creations on their new consoles will also benefit from the higher resolution goodness that Bungie confirmed last week.

US website GameSpot reveal that there is something of a catch to all this however. When an original Xbox title is inserted in the new console, it will check if a patch to make the game playable is available. If it isn't, it will attempt to acquire the necessary upgrade over Xbox Live. Said download will of course require the 360 hard-drive to function, meaning that some of the current generation titles may only be playable on 360's with net connectivity and of course the optional hard-drive peripheral. Microsoft have confirmed that patches covering Halo and Halo 2 will be pre-loaded on the hard-drive, however.

Those without Xbox Live will be able to download, burn to CD, and install the required patches gratis from Xbox.com, as an alternative, though the hard-drive is of course still a pre-requisite. Another option being offered, reports GameSpot, is a pre-made CD ordered from Xbox.com for a small fee. Those lucky Japanese gamers will however get the upgrade disc free of charge.

Most noticeably absent from Redmond's list is probably the Project Gotham games, though Forza is supported, thankfully. Half-Life 2 is also cleared for take-off, though there's no mention of Doom 3 at present.

More on this as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge