Exciting next-gen Xbox console rumor claims native Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series backward compatibility

While it is quite clear at this point that Microsoft is actively working on the next-gen Xbox console, recent developments have raised some interesting questions around the nature of the next-gen Xbox. 

For starters, the announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally/Ally X has given rise to the speculation that Microsoft could also outsource the development of the next-gen Xbox console to third parties like Asus. This is not out of the realm of possibility, as Microsoft has pivoted to being more of a game developer/publisher and less of a console maker like Sony.

Furthermore, before the announcement of the ROG Ally X, numerous past reports had claimed that Microsoft was making a first-party Xbox handheld. We now know that Microsoft abandoned the idea to focus on the software that drives the Xbox Ally X. This feeds directly into the narrative that the next-gen Xbox might be a “PC” with off-the-shelf parts and a custom Xbox software running on top of Windows.

If true, this raises serious concerns regarding backward compatibility support for Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series games for the new Xbox console.

Windows Central’s Jez Cordon, a reliable Microsoft insider, has put these speculations and worries to rest in the latest episode of The Xbox Two Podcast on YouTube (linked below). Jez claims that the next Xbox console is “100% or 99.999%” confirmed to let you run your Xbox One, Xbox Series, and Xbox 360 console games.

Jez further explains that the “next Xbox has the silicon for running Xbox One and Series X and 360 games natively. At least, what’s in the backward compatibility program”. This means that players will be able to run their Xbox One and Xbox Series S | X library on the next Xbox, while the Xbox 360 titles will need to be in the Xbox’s backward compatibility program.

Whatever the case ends up being, things are turning out to be quite interesting for Xbox. With the possible launch of both a traditional console, an Xbox-branded PC, and a range of Xbox-branded handhelds, Microsoft appears to be taking its “This is an Xbox” strategy seriously. Sadly, nothing can be confirmed as of this time, as the next Xbox is likely two or more years away.