As the video game industry moves further into the ninth console generation, backward compatibility seems to be a major focus of Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S systems. Gamers can enjoy most of their favorite Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One titles without breaking out old hardware. Now, it appears Microsoft is taking the backward compatibility function one step further with the Xbox Series X|S' new FPS Boost feature.
FPS Boost allows classic Xbox titles to be played at a higher framerate, giving gamers a much smoother play experience. The new mechanic can double (even quadruple in some cases) select Xbox titles without lengthy download times or extra work from the developer. Players can simply turn on FPS Boost and enjoy the game in a refreshing new light.
As of right now, FPS Boost is only compatible with Far Cry 4, New Super Lucky’s Tale, Sniper Elite 4, UFC 4 and Watch Dogs 2. However, Microsoft plans on bringing the function to a wide range of Xbox titles in the upcoming months, including games on Xbox Game Pass. Even better, Xbox users won't have to pay extra for FPS Boost, making the Series X|S incredibly alluring to retro gaming fans.
Microsoft also plans on rolling out new menu icons and system settings alongside FPS Boost. A new Compatibility Options button will be available in the Manage Game section of an Xbox title. Gamers who want to enjoy their classic games without FPS Boost will be able to toggle the function on and off through Compatibility Options. There will also be a new indicator that will tell players if a game is utilizing FPS Boost whenever they hit the Xbox Button on their controller. The new settings allow gamers to customize their experiences to their specific taste, drawing in a larger subset of gamers than previous Xbox consoles.
It will be interesting to see how FPS Boost affects original Xbox titles. Although some games pushed the Xbox's technical abilities to its absolute limits, many are graphically dated and can be somewhat off-putting to modern audiences. FPS Boost might breathe new life into classic Xbox titles, making them more appealing to younger video game fans.
Reliving amazing Xbox games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Conker: Live & Reloaded with nearly double the original frame rate is something many long-time gamers have been craving for quite some time. Many retro collectors are willing to spend a small fortune buying HD converters and other accessories to graphically upgrade their collection. FPS Boost could make this unnecessary, as well as accessible to those who want better graphics but can't spend that extra money to get them.
FPS Boost could also potentially lighten the burden for game developers. Instead of focusing valuable time on HD remasters of older titles, studios could instead concentrate on other projects, since the hardware automatically enhances a game's graphics. Although it might not be as graphically advanced as an HD remake or remaster, it still gives gamers the opportunity to play older games in a more modern way.
When it comes to backwards compatibility, the Xbox Series X|S is leaps and bounds ahead of the PlayStation 5. FPS Boost also furthers this divide by giving classic Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One games a fresh coat of paint without the need for expensive converter boxes or cables. Microsoft's user-friendly approach to backward compatibility might convince a few hesitant gamers to jump onto the Xbox Series bandwagon, and hopefully the handful of titles available now is only the beginning.