14 DAY TRIAL // The initial list of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360 when the new console launches later this month has been announced by Microsoft, with over 200 titles confirmed to run on the new console.
212 games in total, including Halo and Halo 2, the Grand Theft Auto series and Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive 3, will be Xbox 360 compatible, with more games to be added to the list over time.
It's not that simple, though. Users will need to connect the Xbox 360 to the Xbox Live service, download emulation software and reboot the console before Xbox titles can be played.
Those without the Xbox Live service can download the software from Xbox.com and burn it onto a CD for loading onto the Xbox 360, or can request that it is delivered to their house for a shipping and handling fee.
Microsoft corporate VP Todd Holmdahl has stated that the firm's goal "remains to make as many games backward compatible as possible". The list of games, which Holmdahl says will be updated regularly with new supported titles after the launch of the Xbox 360, is a definitive list of what will and won't run on the new system - games not on the list will present an error message if users try to run them.
Xbox games will also be upgraded by the emulation software to play in the new HDTV modes supported by the next-gen console. A full list of the games which will be supported by the Xbox 360 at its US launch has been published on the Xbox.com website.