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E3 2017: Xbox One And Original Xbox Can System Link For Backwards Compatible Multiplayer

It's possible to link all three generations together.

22 Comments

The Xbox One X stole the show at Microsoft's E3 2017 press briefing today, but another one of the notable announcements was that Xbox One is getting backwards compatibility with original Xbox games later this year. As a result of this, cross-generation system-link play is now possible.

You read that right: Microsoft confirmed that you can link up all three generations of Xbox to play LAN multiplayer on original Xbox games. Marketing head for Xbox Albert Penello revealed this feature first on Twitter, and then explained it more on IGN's live show.

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Now Playing: Xbox One X Reveal Trailer - Microsoft Press Conference E3 2017

"You can actually system link an OG Xbox, an Xbox 360, an Xbox One, and an Xbox One X, and do four-player system-link LAN play with all original disks across three generations of consoles," he said.

Penello also hinted that original Xbox games will have some improvements if they're played on Xbox One X, although he stopped short of saying how they'll get better. "If you saw Crimson Skies on the screen today, it looks great," he said. "We're not talking in detail right now, but the team has some tricks up their sleeve, and I think when the OG Xbox games show up, people are going to be very impressed."

Xbox One X launches on November 7 for $499; you can read more about the console here. You can also check out our full roundup from the Microsoft conference here.

Keep watching GameSpot for more news from E3 2017 all of this week.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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JCas127

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Edited By JCas127

Wow. Amazing. I will be buying another copy of Black Ops 2.

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leeko_link

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Edited By leeko_link

Nice but if I want to play multiplayer on an old games I would either play it on the original system or on the new one if it had backwards compatibility. I'm not going to daisy link all my consoles to play them though. This feature didn't hook me when Genesis does it (with Zero Tolerance), it didn't hook me when GameCube does it (with MK Double Dash!!, 1080, and Kirby's Air Ride) and probably won't now with Xbox either especially when you had to buy the same games multiple times to do it.

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chris91090

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The reason I main an xbox console. They tie with Nintendo in implementing more unique features in their machines.

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speed45823

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Take note Sony. That's how you make a powerful console with backward compatibility. PS4 Pro is no match for the raw power of Xbox One X.

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KamiNoBeniMizu

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Edited By KamiNoBeniMizu

So Scorpio=X?

Also, damn! Microsoft went full out with backward compatibility if a current console can actually be backward compatible so far back! Finally they show they have some massive pockets to do big stuff!

NOTE:I didn't watch the video because it glitched like heck... It refuses to play, I guess I'll go to YouTube. *SIGH!*

2 • 
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sakaiXx

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Nice. Although nobody gonna use it, its pretty good seeing gimmicks that works.

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alaannn

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@sakaixx: half of xbox users use backwards compatability

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jonpolice

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@alaannn: No they don't, half of Xbox users has tried BC, but less than 2% has been estimated to actively use it.

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HaCkEr_Fc

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Edited By HaCkEr_Fc

@jonpolice: arstechnica has apologised and misled the public with the wrong information. Over half the userbase uses backwards compatibility on Xbox One

Correction: Undercounted usage data in our Xbox Unleashed analysis

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/06/correction-undercounted-usage-data-in-our-xbox-unleashed-analysis/

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lionheartssj1

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Gonna have some Halo parties again. I need to get my liver and swear words ready.

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Pyrosa

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@lionheartssj1: Sounds like ours... And don't foeget laughter... LAN parties are always full of laughter (to accompany the drinking and swearing).

I have one room remaining without Ethernet, and it's gonna be a real pain to get it there... But now I'm doing it.

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cfscorpio

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What a ridiculous thing to do. Although I'd like to see someone on YouTube do it.

P.S. The BC on the Xbox 360 wasn't great.

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mike468

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@cfscorpio: That's probably because there wasn't much overhead in the hardware difference between the OG Xbox and the 360 to handle the emulation. The XBO has plenty, that they are capable of running a virtual environment of the 360's dash:

OG Xbox's specs:

733 mhz intel pentium 3

64 mb DDR ram

233 mhz nvidia (7.3 gflops)

the 360's specs:

3.2 ghz power PC tri-core CPU

512 mb ram

500 mhz ATI Xenos (240 gflops)

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alaannn

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@cfscorpio: ms didnt support backwards compatability much on the 360 they have been supporting it on the x1

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lordstrategery

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@alaannn: Digital games. That's the key difference.

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alaannn

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@lordstrategery: alot of original xbox games would be hard to find so being able to buy a digital copy is good

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Pyrosa

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Edited By Pyrosa

@alaannn: I have two giant Rubbermaid tubs chock-full of OG Xbox games. I actually have to build new shelves to set out all the 360 and OG Xbox games now, since it's increasingly inconvenient to dig through those tubs.

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BarcaAzul

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@alaannn:

Hmmm, that's an interesting point. Maybe I can trade mine in.

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alaannn

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@7tizz: original xbox games i wouldnt find one game

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Pyrosa

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Edited By Pyrosa

@7tizz: THIS ^

20min outside of town, I have flea markets next to farmers' markets. Healthy and unhealthy spending in one trip. ;)

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