Microsoft has expanded its original Xbox backward-compatibility library on PC to 25 games, adding 21 titles on November 12, 2026. The launch includes classics such as The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, both original Star Wars Battlefront games, and TimeSplitters 2. Four games—KOTOR, KOTOR II, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, and Conker: Live and Reloaded—also received achievements for the first time. The rollout requires Windows 11, a supported market, and either a purchase or an eligible Game Pass subscription, depending on the title.
The anniversary update is more than a nostalgia list. It gives PC players an official route to a specific group of original Xbox releases, while adding mouse-and-keyboard support across the PC collection and improving performance and stability for the first four games. It does not mean every original Xbox game is now playable on PC, and the announcement does not promise that the entire console catalog will follow.
What changed on November 12?
Xbox says 21 additional original Xbox games became available on PC in supported countries, bringing the backward-compatibility collection on PC to 25. The first four had arrived earlier in 2026. Microsoft also says it improved performance and stability for those initial releases and that every game in the PC collection now supports mouse and keyboard.
That wording matters. The announcement is about original Xbox games running through Xbox backward compatibility on PC, not a blanket conversion of every old Xbox disc into a native Windows game. Availability depends on the current Xbox app and store listing, the player’s region, Windows version, and whether the game is purchased or included with a subscription. Check each product page before planning a purchase or download.
The new games include several major role-playing games, Star Wars action and combat titles, racers, and licensed releases. For players who already own or subscribe to some of them, the PC route may offer a straightforward way to revisit a console-era favorite. For everyone else, the key practical question is not only whether a title appears in a list, but what it costs, which features it supports, and whether it is available in their country.
The 21 games newly added to PC
The official Xbox Wire announcement lists the following additions. The list below follows Microsoft’s published names; store availability and purchase requirements can vary by market.
- Armed and Dangerous
- Disney’s Chicken Little
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Grabbed by the Ghoulies
- Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb
- Red Faction II
- Secret Weapons Over Normandy
- Star Wars Battlefront
- Star Wars Battlefront II
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
- Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
- Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords
- Star Wars: Republic Commando
- Star Wars: Starfighter – Special Edition
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Thrillville
- TimeSplitters 2
- TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
That mix is unusually broad: it ranges from open-ended role-playing in Morrowind to squad combat in Republic Commando, arcade racing and flight, and licensed action games. The strong Star Wars presence is especially noticeable, but it should not be mistaken for a new collection or remaster. Xbox describes these as backward-compatible original Xbox titles being made available on PC.
Four games now have achievements
Xbox is adding achievements to four original Xbox games: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, and Conker: Live and Reloaded. Microsoft says this is the first time players can earn achievements in these original releases.
The achievement change also applies when playing the four games on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles, according to Xbox. Console players should install the latest system update. Microsoft notes that some achievements may unlock based on progress already made, although the announcement does not detail each title’s achievement list or specify how every legacy save will be evaluated.
Achievements are being designed with the games’ developers and publishers, Xbox says, and the company plans to add them to more original Xbox games over time. That is a stated intention, not a schedule or a guarantee covering every title. Players should wait for a game-specific announcement before assuming another classic will receive them.
What the PC support means for setup
Xbox lists Windows 11 as a requirement. It also says features vary by game, downloads are required, availability is limited to selected markets, and a game purchase or Game Pass subscription may be required. These caveats are important because the 25-game headline does not mean every player can access all 25 titles in the same way.
Before downloading, open the relevant Xbox Store page and verify:
- Operating system: confirm the PC meets the Windows 11 requirement stated by Xbox.
- Market availability: check that the game is offered in your account’s region.
- Access: confirm whether the listing requires a purchase or is included with your current Game Pass plan.
- Input support: check the individual game page if you intend to use a controller, mouse, or keyboard.
- Storage and download: review the current listing for install size and any additional components before starting.
Xbox says mouse and keyboard are supported across the PC collection, but “supports mouse and keyboard” does not necessarily describe identical controls or configuration options in every title. These games were designed for older hardware and may have different menus, camera behavior, or control assumptions from contemporary PC releases. Use the product page and in-game settings rather than assuming the same layout across the collection.
How to find a specific game
The safest route is to search for the exact game title in the Xbox app or Microsoft Store on the Windows PC you intend to use. Confirm the publisher and product details, then read the availability and access notes shown for your region. Xbox’s official announcement links directly to store pages for the newly added titles and identifies the four games with achievements.
If a title does not appear, several explanations are possible: the game may not be available in the account’s market, the store catalog may still be updating, the device may not meet the stated requirement, or the search phrase may not match the store listing. Avoid downloading unofficial installers or emulator packages claiming to be the Xbox release. Use Microsoft’s store and Xbox app listings to avoid malware and account-risking downloads.
Subscription catalogs can change. The announcement specifically identifies Morrowind and Grabbed by the Ghoulies as also available with Xbox Game Pass; it does not say that all 25 games are included. Verify the current Game Pass listing before subscribing or expecting access. A title’s appearance in the backward-compatibility announcement alone is not proof that it is included in a plan.
What this is—and what it is not
Backward compatibility is a way to make selected older games playable through a supported modern environment. It is distinct from a remaster, which typically rebuilds or substantially updates assets, performance, or presentation. Xbox’s announcement does not describe these 21 additions as remasters, nor does it promise new graphics, widescreen enhancements, or specific frame rates for every title.
It is also different from a general PC port campaign. The publisher and platform arrangements for older games can be complex, and licensing is one reason old catalogs do not move as a single package. Xbox has not announced that every original Xbox game will come to PC, and its promise to bring more games in the future does not specify which ones or when.
Players should also separate game availability from save compatibility. The announcement does not say that saves from every original Xbox disc, Xbox console profile, or other PC edition transfer into these releases. Check the individual game’s official information for cloud-save and cross-progression details; do not assume a save will move just because the same title is involved.
Why the update matters to longtime players
Many players’ memories of the original Xbox are tied to particular games rather than the hardware alone. Bringing a selected group to PC lowers one barrier for people who no longer own a working console or who prefer to play at a desk. Mouse-and-keyboard support can also make the collection more practical on PCs and handheld PCs, although actual comfort depends on the title and controls.
The addition of achievements gives four games a new progression layer for players who enjoy structured goals. It may encourage another playthrough of a familiar RPG or action game, but achievements should not be confused with new story content. Xbox announced achievement support, not new missions or expansions for these classics.
For preservation-minded players, an official storefront release can make a game easier to obtain through a current platform. It does not answer every preservation concern: future availability, licensing, offline access, compatibility with new operating systems, and long-term ownership terms remain separate issues. A store listing is useful, but it is not the same as a permanent guarantee.
What players should check before spending money
First, decide which game you actually want to play. The size of the lineup can make the announcement feel like a bundle, but Xbox’s post lists individual games and store pages. Check each price and entitlement separately. If a title is in Game Pass, compare the subscription cost and your expected play time with the standalone purchase price shown in your market.
Second, check whether the PC version fits your setup. Windows 11 is the stated requirement, but the announcement does not provide a full hardware specification for every game. If you use a handheld, confirm the device’s Windows version and control support. Xbox specifically notes that the earlier four-game group reached handhelds such as the ROG Xbox Ally family; that reference should not be treated as a compatibility certification for every handheld model.
Third, be realistic about age. Backward compatibility can make a classic accessible, but it does not automatically modernize the game’s pacing, interface, camera, or accessibility options. Read recent player feedback carefully and distinguish technical bugs from design choices that were common in the original release.
Frequently asked questions
How many original Xbox games are on PC now?
Xbox says the PC backward-compatibility library now contains 25 original Xbox games. The November 12 update added 21 to the four that had arrived earlier in 2026.
Which games have achievements?
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, and Conker: Live and Reloaded received achievement support. Xbox says the feature also applies on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles for these titles.
Do I need Windows 11?
Xbox’s announcement says Windows 11 is required for the PC backward-compatibility feature. Check Microsoft’s current compatibility guidance if your system is on another Windows version.
Are all the games included in Game Pass?
No such claim appears in the announcement. Xbox specifically marks Morrowind and Grabbed by the Ghoulies as also available with Game Pass. Verify each current store listing for subscription access.
Are these remasters?
The announcement describes them as original Xbox games available through backward compatibility. It does not call them remasters or promise a new visual overhaul.
Will more original Xbox games come to PC?
Xbox says it plans to bring more original Xbox games to PC in the future, but it has not provided a complete list or release schedule.
The bottom line
Xbox’s November 12 update makes 21 more original Xbox games available on PC, bringing the announced library to 25. The lineup includes Morrowind, KOTOR, Battlefront, and TimeSplitters 2, while four titles gain achievements and the PC collection receives mouse-and-keyboard support. Windows 11, selected-market availability, and game-by-game purchase or subscription rules still apply.
For players, the best next step is simple: search the exact title in the official Xbox app or Store, verify your region and access requirements, then check that game’s features before downloading. The update is a meaningful catalog expansion, but it is a curated set of classics—not a promise that the entire original Xbox library is coming to PC.
Reporting checked November 13, 2026. Availability and store terms can vary by game and market.
Sources
- Xbox Wire: 25 Original Xbox Games Available Today on PC via Xbox Backward Compatibility (November 12, 2026).
- Xbox Wire: Thanks for 25 Years, Xbox Players — Everything Announced Today (November 12, 2026).
