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360 backward-compatibility update rereleased

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Dec 9, 2005 1:17 pm PT

[UPDATE] New, briefly withdrawn patch supports most current-gen Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, and Rainbow Six games.

When Microsoft first released the backward-compatibility list for the Xbox 360, many gamers were shocked by some names that weren't on it. Nowhere to be found were three of the top franchises for the original Xbox: Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, and Splinter Cell.

Late last night, Microsoft updated the backward-compatibility list with eight games from the trio of Tom Clancy-inspired series. Software emulators for Ghost Recon, Ghost Recon 2, Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike, Rainbow Six 3, Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow, Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow, and Splinter Cell Chaos Theory all became available for download.

However, within hours of the new update's release, reports began to circulate that it was causing problems with Halo 2. Several GameSpot editors discovered that when they inserted Halo 2 into their 360 consoles, a prompt appeared saying that a software update was needed to play the game.

However, after the update was installed, Halo 2 would only play in the standard 4x3 TV dimensions, not the 16x9 letterbox format used by high-definition televisions. Also, the game's graphics appeared compressed--a dramatic shift from its previously crisp, HD textures.

When contacted by GameSpot, Microsoft reps confirmed the problem and said a new, Halo 2-compatible version would be available shortly.

[UPDATE] Sure enough, late Friday, a bug-free version of the backwards compatibility update was available on Xbox.com and Xbox Live.

144 Comments

  • ChainSawManiac

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 10:49 pm PT

    That kind of sucks that the 360 doesnt play all of the old Xbox games.... I'm getting a PS3.

  • Cube_of_MooN

    Posted Dec 29, 2006 2:16 pm PT

    Old News

  • nikefreak

    Posted Aug 28, 2006 6:59 pm PT

    "Man forget the 360 can't even play all original xbox games all about ps3.
    maybe if you had wrestlemania 21 on the list it would be better."

    Yes.. Go with the more expensive console that lets you play a rerelease of GT4 called "Gran Turismo HD" for the PS3 that is nothing more than a PS2 game with a bit higher of a resolution, all for the oh so cheap price of 60.00... lol... Yeah, PS3 wins ;p (At screwing you harder, I should add)

  • J_Dawg04

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 10:27 am PT

    Don't get me wrong, I am an xbox fan to the death, but Microsoft needs to hold up to their promises, stop screwing around and get their compatibility list updated ASAP! Enough is enough.

  • jc_nieves

    Posted May 21, 2006 2:00 am PT

    Ok, this is the situation.
    Just bought the console, played 1 week GRAW and everything ok, I finished it twice.
    And now, I payed an XBOX Live membership, and, the first moment I got connected the system asked for an update to the operating system, ok I accepted.
    Now I know that update refers to this update:
    http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardscompatibility.htm

    Now the thing is, after this update I CANT play my GRAW again! I get this screen:

    http://www.gmort.co.uk/archive/temppics/xbox_360_fault.JPG

    I know that backward compatibility can be installed using a CD and run it like a game in the 360. Now what I am looking for, is the same package but containing the ORIGINAL xbox 360 only games support for my console, I dont want to play any old xbox game!!
    Can someone help? I have not find any update for this, it looks like this update breaks XBOXes!!

  • ashtray2007

    Posted May 17, 2006 4:05 pm PT

    Man forget the 360 can't even play all original xbox games all about ps3.
    maybe if you had wrestlemania 21 on the list it would be better.

  • dancinginthemoo

    Posted May 16, 2006 12:13 pm PT

    ouch...

  • undat_basic

    Posted Mar 15, 2006 3:50 pm PT

    Where's the Karaoke Revolution patch...just b/c THEY gave up on the orig. XB doesn't mean its fans have. Put out the patch!

  • DrinkDuff

    Posted Mar 2, 2006 4:22 pm PT

    It is not the first time Microsoft has done this.... service packs *cough*

  • jfhkdjfhkd

    Posted Jan 8, 2006 8:09 pm PT

    slothboyck
    slothboyck
    i don't see what's so hard to understand about playing an old game on the Xbox 360... it's not like people just want to play their old games on the new system. Think about a person who never owned an xbox, but decided to get an xbox 360. They were thrilled when they found out it was backwards compatible, so that they could finally pick up some great games that were for the xbox. I know if I were to get an xbox 360 (which i probably never will), I'd want to play Halo 2 because i never got to have it before. That's what backwards compatibility should be about. And all this crap about "omgz0rz!!!!1!! y wuld NE1 want 2 play teh 0ld gamez NEmor? This is l1ke teh next generation!!!!1!!!!!" is dumb. Just because the graphics are on par with gaming quality PCs doesn't mean the gameplay is any different. I would much rather play Halo 2 than some unimpressive, bulky, worthless graphical update of games that I've already played.
    Posted 12/09/2005 9:49pm

    I like Microsoft, but Halo 2 is a piece of ****. Guess what else, Microsoft is GIVING you free patches for your games. Would you rather them release it in stores? There is plenty of time until the PS3 and the Revolution come out. WHO CARES how long it takes. Instead of playing video games all day, go outside. Play some football. I am confident that Microsoft will fix it all up.

  • coldfyre_99

    Posted Dec 17, 2005 10:13 am PT

    And this is why PC's are the future of gaming. Not for or against MS in this case, but the fact of the matter is, when something like backwards compatibility is added to a system, it should just work by inserting the game. You shouldn't need to download and install a patch to make the thing work. Consoles for years have had the benifit of being fast and easy to use, no thought, put the game in, turn it on and play. Now with a PC like patch installer, there goes the ease of use. I only hope that sony will have this figured out or they are in trouble too.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Dec 13, 2005 9:59 am PT

    LOL....can it really be that hard for the 360 to emulate the orig. xbox?

  • fryanbone

    Posted Dec 12, 2005 2:41 pm PT

    This just goes to show that one who is knowledgable in electronics should always WAIT for a couple months with new electronics as they always have bugs. And one can almost predict that Microsoft will always have bugs and problems with their stuff. I just knew there was going to be something wrong with the systems and guess what, there are heating problems with the 1dt gen consoles. This is important wisdom for those who like to invest in many electronic devices. It is all the more reason why I am getting my 360 in early '06.

  • RasTa_ChaMp

    Posted Dec 12, 2005 11:45 am PT

    I think that for all the hype the x-box 360 has been getting, it's pretty funny that it's running to so many problems.

  • Hellisunreal

    Posted Dec 12, 2005 8:11 am PT

    wat bout Ninja Gaiden, Metal Wolf Chaos & KOF: Mainiax ????

  • daddo-splat

    Posted Dec 12, 2005 8:00 am PT

    Dont put your xbox in the garage trade it in @ gamestop for $ 60.00 I wonder is anybody else on a 360 with a wireless internet connection having a problem with halo2 losing connection all other games stay connected and my xbox never lost connection but i lose connection in matchmaking and have to reboot evereything call of duty2 is awesome maybe ill just burn halo2 for now

  • JVIoneyman

    Posted Dec 12, 2005 6:56 am PT

    Yeah...Me to, im so glad i didnt buy a new videogame system right away so I can play old games on it. Ill buy it later when I can play old games on it. Oh wait, but so will the people who bought it now, and guess what, they can play new games now too.

    People have to complain about somthing...

    I got my 360 and im enjoying it now. I dont care about old games right now, because I just played them for 4 years and want somthing new. If you wanted old games go buy another xbox. They will eventually get it to work, so just be patient, and stop complaining. The 360 looks great so play the new stuff for awhile..

  • k_sakuraba1982

    Posted Dec 12, 2005 1:49 am PT

    Im sure that a fair few people like myself traded in thier xbox to make some cash towards the 360. I was pleased that that the Tom Clancy games were added to the list and stay hopeful that others such as far cry will be added in the near future

  • ewjim

    Posted Dec 11, 2005 11:56 pm PT

    Launch problems... I think it's more like "bad hands" problems!!! LOL

  • chinesehaohot

    Posted Dec 11, 2005 10:44 pm PT

    Why are people surprised about 360's backward campatibility? Come on, It is not the first time people use Microsoft's product! Anyone of you own a pc knows MS's product always full of bugs and needs countless upgrades! So just let it go and enjoy what you have... Sony had the same problem!! oh wait......PS2 can play all PS 1 games .......well...damn them capitalist....

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