Skip to main content

Alucard and Dracula clash on Xbox One thanks to backwards compatibility

three classics to xbox one castlevania symphony of the night
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Three brand new titles have been added to Microsoft’s slowly expanding list of Xbox One backwards compatible games. While they’re not fresh out of the water, so to speak, they’re still noteworthy.

First off is Remedy’s thriller-ish 3rd person shooter Alan Wake, where your enemies are afraid of the light, and then there’s the timeless classic Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Finally, there’s the ubiquitous Pac-Man, which comes in its original arcade form.

Alan Wake joins Microsoft’s ongoing promotional campaign for Remedy’s upcoming game Quantum Break, which will be released early next month. Every copy of the game will come with a full-game download for Alan wake for Xbox 360. Buyers will also have access to The Signal and The Writer, the game’s two add-on packs. That includes Microsoft’s Quantum Break console bundle, which will be going on sale starting tomorrow. Pre-orders also come with a full-game download of Alan Wake’s American Nightmare for Xbox 360, also backwards compatible with Xbox One, and that pre-order download is available now.

Since Microsoft revealed its initial list of backwards compatible titles back in November 2015 it has expanded from 104 titles to 141. Examples of games included in the first batch of backwards compatible games were Condemned: Criminal Origins, Fable II, and South Park: The Stick of Truth. Halo: Reach was one of the noteworthy titles mentioned to be on the way back then and has since been released. But other major titles like Halo Wars, Bioshock Infinite and Skate 3, among others, remain to be seen.

Microsoft is known for its slow pace of updating its list of backwards compatible games, and it’s also unclear how high the demand for these titles are. In the modern gaming industry, it’s common to simply re-launch titles in high-definition with crisper textures and, occasionally, some added functionality. But with that said, Microsoft was called out on some games that under-performed despite the high expectations of its consumers, including its very own Triple-A title Halo: Reach. It’s possible Microsoft has slowed down the pace to make sure the games run smoothly upon release.

Editors' Recommendations

Dan Isacsson
Being a gamer since the age of three, Dan took an interest in mobile gaming back in 2009. Since then he's been digging ever…
These 4 tips will help you max out your Xbox One controller’s battery life
Xbox One Recon Tech Controller

The Xbox One gamepad might be the best feature of Microsoft’s last-generation console, which makes the fact that it works on the Xbox Series X and S even better. Its comfortable triggers, easy-to-reach analog sticks, and, most importantly, energy-efficient design allow you to play games for weeks on end without having to swap out your batteries. Eventually, though, your controller is going to die -- and, likely, your character along with it-- and you’re going to have to replace those AAs if you want to continue gaming.

Thankfully, we're here to point out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to your battery life, so you can keep yourself in the game with minimal interruption.

Read more
How to connect your phone to an Xbox One

Smartphones have found a way to change and enhance our video-gaming lives. They don't just play game apps anymore, but can now work as a second controller for our consoles.
How to connect your phone to your Xbox

Although a regular Xbox controller is easier to play with, using your smartphone as an Xbox controller can have its own benefits. Your smart device will need to be up to date and connected to your app store in order to sync it as an Xbox controller. As long as these two things have happened, we can help guide you in connecting your smartphone to your Xbox console easily.

Read more
The most common Xbox One X problems, and how to fix them
Xbox One X review controller in front

Like any piece of technology, the Xbox One X is not without its bugs or glitches. You might be in the middle of your best playthrough when the console suddenly shuts off and you lose all your progress. Before you throw your expensive console at the wall, there might be a better solution.

As long as you’re willing to do a little troubleshooting, here’s how you can solve some of those irritating issues that interfere with your gaming.
Getting in touch with Microsoft

Read more