Microsoft's seventh-generation gaming console
PopCap Games' classic match-three titles Bejeweled 2 and Bejeweled 3 have landed on Xbox Game Pass for console as Xbox 360 versions. The article reviews both games, comparing their gameplay, aesthetics, and sound design to determine which delivers the superior dopamine hit.
A leaked developer document viewed by The Verge shows Microsoft plans to bring Xbox 360 games to PC between 2027 and 2028. The feature will roll out across next-gen devices including Project Helix and handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally. Developers will control pricing and Game Pass inclusion through a backwards compatibility toggle.
Microsoft's new Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC initiative runs on an Xbox 360 emulator that itself emulates original Xbox games through Xefu. Dataminers and the XWine1 team have already run Xbox 360 and original Xbox ROMs unofficially, confirming the platform can handle 360 titles despite Microsoft only releasing four original Xbox games so far.
Developer Mike Wing has launched Call of Duty Ambience, a free website that streams simulated 2010-era lobby voice chat from Modern Warfare 2, Black Ops, and Black Ops 2. The site recreates the Xbox 360 dashboard aesthetic complete with period-accurate gamertags and runs 24/7 for anyone seeking a very specific kind of white noise.
Culdcept Begins, a niche deckbuilding series debuting on Sega Saturn in 1997, makes a comeback on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC, offering strategic depth despite flaws. This unique blend of Magic: The Gathering and Monopoly elements challenges newcomers with deck management and dice-based gameplay. With the rise of deckbuilding games, Culdcept Begins seizes the moment, delivering for fans of Slay the Spire and similar titles.
A fan-made PC port of Silent Hill: Downpour is in development by Indie_RU, promising to restore cut content, including a boss battle against the "Monocle Man," and offer improved performance with uncapped framerate and higher resolutions. Expected to release in September/October, this port aims to breathe new life into a title often overshadowed by its attempts to echo Silent Hill 2. Fans can look forward to revisiting the game with restored weapons, cutscenes, notes, dialogue, and sidequests.
The Steam Machine, Valve's ambitious PC-console hybrid, has launched to mixed reviews and a troubling issue reminiscent of the Xbox 360's "Red Ring of Death"—a "Red Line of Death" indicating GPU failure after just 20 minutes of use. This critical flaw, combined with a significantly higher price tag and reported performance steps back, has divided the gaming community. Despite its promising HAL 9000-style LED displays, the device's reliability and value proposition are under scrutiny.
Twenty years ago, Rockstar Games surprised the industry with Table Tennis, a realistic sports simulation that laid the groundwork for the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE). This tech would go on to power iconic titles like GTA 4 and 5, and now, GTA 6. Discover how a humble ping-pong game revolutionized Rockstar's future.
Xbox's new leadership brings a fresh face to the console with an updated boot-up experience and a revamped Gamerscore system featuring tiered badges. These changes, available now for Xbox Insiders and soon for all, aim to reconnect with the brand's roots. The update also enhances library management with new filters.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is experiencing a surprising surge in popularity as fans anticipate the release of the H2M Mod, reviving Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer.
Alan Wake 2, a critical success since its release, has yet to become profitable. Remedy's recent financial report reveals details about the game's financial performance.
Xbox Insiders can now watch Discord streams and see Discord friends on their Friends list. Learn more about these new features and other Xbox updates.
