Microsoft's free 4K 360 enhancements put a lot of paid remasters to shame

Betty said:

I'm saying Microsoft have the BC thing going for them, if Sony get even close to being on part BC wise next gen that's a major advantage for Microsoft lost.

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I think the problem for sony still is ps3 library. Even if they have bc i doubt they will have ps5 bc with ps3 (speculating mainly).
+ Microsoft on there next box will have xbox + xbox 360 + xbox one titles bc (again speculating). Also to be honest as much as i want this in grand scheme of things BC means very little. New fresh exclusives will always triumph bc.

The BC support that MS is providing is one of the primary reasons why I'm on the verge of buying an Xbox One X. They've absolutely nailed this feature, and I'm looking forward to seeing what other titles get the same support.

Shamelessly stealing from the other thread:

Forza Horizon



Witcher 2



Fable Anniversary

(Performance mode)



(Graphics mode)

Finaj said:

Here's Crackdown for those wondering:

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Ok, seriously.... WTF???

Wizardry is too tame of a term to describe this anymore. Damn.

Project Scorpio preorder redeemed.

Secretofmateria said:

I know one thing its that sony really needs to implement backwards compatability as a core feature of the ps5

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Yes, the least is having bc. There is no way around it. The enhanced thing would really be the icing on the cake.

I pretty much said this when I played Skate 3 on the Xbox One X for the first time. It's honestly making me feel a bit silly for wanting the Burnout Paradise Remaster.

This is one of the best things about PC, very happy to see it coming to consoles as well, even if it still requires a ton of manual work and game-specific support.

A few months old, but here's a DF video comparing the initial lineup. All of the games display a massive upgrade over the 360 originals.

Ugh I need to buy fable for the millionth time. Played it last gen but the remaster looked so bad.

Edit: holy fuck it's free with gamepass!

As someone who completely missed last generation due to school/career, Microsoft's BC and enhancement wizardry has made my investment in an Xbox One--and my subsequent upgrade to the One X--the best gaming investment(s) I've made this generation.

And honestly, I'm not sure if it's remotely close.

Dusktildawn48 said:

Ugh I need to buy fable for the millionth time. Played it last gen but the remaster looked so bad.

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It's on Game Pass.

If anything, it annoys me that the PS2 classics don't have any enhancements on the Pro. And we pay for them

Dusktildawn48 said:

Ugh I need to buy fable for the millionth time. Played it last gen but the remaster looked so bad.

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Unfortunately, the X-enhanced version is still the remaster. Completely butchered the look of the original, IMO. But at least it's 4K now.

How do these upgrades compare to OG PC versions with max settings? It's definitely great all round, especially for exclusive titles.

I am curious if these could match up to PC versions, or if there are limitations based on the 360 heritage.

Betty said:

I'm saying Microsoft have the BC thing going for them, if Sony get even close to being on part BC wise next gen that's a major advantage for Microsoft lost.

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I don't think so for three reasons!

1) Sony won't try to put a feature on their system that would appear to be a lesser value.

2) Sony has a long road to hole to get that 5+ years BC research and development back. (Straight PS4 cuts won't cut it anymore because MS raised the bar on the reason to even have BC now.)

3.)MS have proven they are the leaders in making this tech possible and they enhanced their own tech to raise the bar even higher.


Many here have changed their thoughts on the value of a X1X because of this new tech development. People don't want to buy remasters at full prices they want fresh games for that cost. BC offers the developer extra cash and puts they're older game back in circulation. EA's about to find that out the hard way with Burnout.

i have a noob question. For BC. is it digital only or can i use my xbox/360 discs?

noctix said:

i have a noob question. For BC. is it digital only or can i use my xbox/360 discs?

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Digital and disc.

noctix said:

i have a noob question. For BC. is it digital only or can i use my xbox/360 discs?

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You can use your disc. The Xbox will recognize the disc and download the psckaged game to your Xbox. Afterwards you of course need the disc to play the game but the game does not run off disc but off disk.

BBQ_of_DOOM said:

Digital and disc.

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I reckon i should wait till e3 hopefully there will be a price cut... it's 649 in australia with xtra controller.

MadMike said:

Unfortunately, the X-enhanced version is still the remaster. Completely butchered the look of the original, IMO. But at least it's 4K now.

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Luckily for me that wasn't the problem for me, it just seemed super low res.

Witcher 2.

noctix said:

I reckon i should wait till e3 hopefully there will be a price cut... it's 649 in australia with xtra controller.

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That's quite the rate, holy smokes.

Haven't tried it on One X but playing Ninja Gaiden Black on xbone 1080p 60fps was pretty fucking amazing. looks way better than should be possible for an OG xbox game...

And you're 100% right that it makes these "remasters" look exactly like the cyncial resell cash grabs they are.

what are these fusses people are talking about on pc? I've played a ton of Xbox 360 gen ports on pc in 4k with no hassle. I guess the hassle is switching the res to 4k on each new game install.

noctix said:

I reckon i should wait till e3 hopefully there will be a price cut... it's 649 in australia with xtra controller.

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Keep an eye on Ozbargain. There was a deal for a Xbox One X for $528 delivered yesterday.

MadMike said:

Unfortunately, the X-enhanced version is still the remaster. Completely butchered the look of the original, IMO. But at least it's 4K now.

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I'm confident Microsoft will have OG Xbox of Fable BC with 4kish resolution.

man, not trying to sound like a shill, but MS has really turned it around. They got socked in the mouth, hard, and have been quietly building the brand back up with gamer centric features like this. does phil get the credit for this? because it really is a night and day difference with the attitude and direction compared to when the x1 launched.

Cranster said:

Makes me glad I waited a year or so to pick up an Xbox One. Phil and the Xbox team did a great shob on righting the ship after the initial direction.

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I apologize for the harshness of my words, but Don Mattrick was a fucking idiot. He never should have been the head of Xbox. He didn't know who the hell he was selling to, and it's aggravating that someone as incompetent as that just went to another CEO position making shit tons of money, when he sucks at his job.

I'm not positive that Phil's direction will be the most financial stable one for Microsoft, but if Xbox One had launched with the kind of support he pushed for, I think things would have turned out a lot better for them at the beginning.

Yazzees said:

I can't imagine a more frivolous purchase in my life right now than an X1X consider I already have on OG (and PS4. And Switch. And a decent PC. And I hardly have time for even one of them.) yet this news today made me think long and hard about it.

Knock a benjamin off the price and I'd probably jump in.

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BC is one of the neatest features of the Xbox platform.

There's a Newegg $100 gift card deal available now with free shipping. I think Dell did one recently too.

Lnds500 said:

If anything, it annoys me that the PS2 classics don't have any enhancements on the Pro. And we pay for them

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This. Sony support of their own system and programs have been pathetic. Hope One X continue to out sell the pro until the end of its life cycle. The system deserve the success for all the effort they put in.

The addition of HDR in some titles is so interesting. It's amazing to think that it's possible the Xbox One X backwards compatible versions could actually be the best available for some titles

MarsMayflower said:

does phil get the credit for this?

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Projects are always a team effort, they should never be attributed to one person :)

Not trying to downplay anyone's hard work! But large undertakings like these are never the work of one person, and in fact sometimes the people you'd least expect (legal teams and accountants!) have hands on this ship.

Wise words of J Allard!

Just ran around in fable and Omgawd! It looks so clean!

The Switch can't emulate the Wii U nor the PS4 the PS3. VC and PS1/2 are a different issue, though.

This isn't an automatic thing right? A dev has to do some work for this?

If so I'd probably expect only a limited amount of games getting this update.

I'd be more than happy to be wrong, I haven't done enough (any) research on this.

Yea. This is an amazing thing you can't fault MS on.

WhiskerFrisker said:

I played BioShock Infinite BC and it looked ugly as hell. 4K means nothing to me if textures and image quality still suck.

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That's because Infinite isn't X enhanced

It's crazy how much clearer things are. Are MS doing anything other than resolution bumps? I know the X already applies AF on its own.

Bishop89 said:

This isn't an automatic thing right? A dev has to do some work for this?

If so I'd probably expect only a limited amount of games getting this update.

I'd be more than happy to be wrong, I haven't done enough (any) research on this.

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Original devs don't have to do anything, it is all MS. And we already have 11 games like this just 3 months after Xbox One X launches.

It really is one of my favorite developments in this generation. I just fired up Crackdown for the first time in like 10 years and I'm remembering how insanely addicting it is, only now I'm playing it in a glorious modern resolution. All at no extra expense to me.

The only thing that I'm a little perturbed about is that I can't find some of my older games. Where the hell is my copy of Forza Horizon??!?

Bishop89 said:

This isn't an automatic thing right? A dev has to do some work for this?

If so I'd probably expect only a limited amount of games getting this update.

I'd be more than happy to be wrong, I haven't done enough (any) research on this.

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No it's not automatic, listen to some of the podcasts on the subject.

1.) you've got the development with the changes
2.) you've got the publisher that has to agree to release said game and then the pricing of future sales has to be addressed.
3.) If you get the publisher worked out then you have to see what licences have to be renewed or restored (Music, Product placement (i.e. of said cars) or any other requirements)
4.) Then if those three are completed, you have to have the game go through a testing phase.


No, it's not a easy process!

Bishop89 said:

This isn't an automatic thing right? A dev has to do some work for this?

If so I'd probably expect only a limited amount of games getting this update.

I'd be more than happy to be wrong, I haven't done enough (any) research on this.

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I would assume so, however, I would also assume it still much easier than making a remaster version, plus I think MS is doing the actual works instead of original dev.

Some screenshots woulda been nice.

Also I think remasters which add content might be a bit more impressive than just straight graphical benefits.

leng jai said:

How much is Crackdown digitally?

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$15

I think it's pretty amazing what MS is doing, I love BC and Xbox having such fantastic emulation of previous Gen games is great. That Crackdown comparison is crazy. Meanwhile I can't even play PS1 games on my PS4.

Hopefully Nintendo will bring the Virtual Console to the Switch soon.

MadMike said:

A few months old, but here's a DF video comparing the initial lineup. All of the games display a massive upgrade over the 360 originals.

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Echo said:

Some screenshots woulda been nice.

Also I think remasters which add content might be a bit more impressive than just straight graphical benefits.

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This video does a good job of highlighting the improvements in the titles they added originally

BC doesn't usually bother me too much as my gaming time is taken up by current titles, but I definitely applaud MS for what they've done.

So does fable have hdr or no?

FUNKNOWN iXi said:

But so many people told me that BC is unimportant and they prefer repaying for their games as remasters? :)

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I'm one of them. Things like better lighting, higher framerates and HDR implementation (example: The Last of Us with HDR, Uncharted trilogy without HDR) are way more important than just a resolution bump in my opinion.

A complete remake with enhanced controls is even better (example: Shadow of the Colossus).

There are a few exceptions, but I don't really care about BC, since I rather play new and unknown games (ain't even got enough time for that) than old stuff. The only thing I want to keep playing next gen is Bloodborne, but I'd rather have that remastered also if I could choose.