Microsoft turns Xbox Classics into downloadable games

By Spencer . November 13, 2007 . 10:43am

This rumor has been floating around since yesterday, but an official press release from Microsoft confirms original Xbox games will be sold over the Xbox Live Marketplace. A system update on December 4 will enable users to download Halo, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Fable and Psychonauts directly to their Xbox 360. Each game costs 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), which is a little on the pricey side. It’s just too easy to pick up a used physical copy of Crimson Skies and Fable: The Lost Chapters (the extended version) for less. Also buying the disc means you don’t have to expend precious hard drive space on the now tiny 20GB hard drive. I suppose this service could still be useful if Microsoft throws up some harder to find stuff in the future, but unless you have a 120 GB hard drive you still have to juggle a limited amount of space.

Additionally, everyone will be able to download a specified Xbox Live Arcade game for free from November 15 to November 16 (one day only!) and anyone who joined the Xbox Live in 2002 will net 500 Microsoft Points for free.

TAGS: Microsoft, Xbox 360

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2 Responses to “Microsoft turns Xbox Classics into downloadable games”

Atlus Shrugged Says:
November 13th, 2007 at 1:09 pm

I guess it would have been announced if Halo 1 had online play.

That would be sick.

Oh well.

Veilknight Says:
November 13th, 2007 at 6:08 pm

Got to hand it to Microsoft, releasing Xbox games as downloadable titles will be a great way to capitalize on their fanbase who may not have originally owned the console during last-gen and may be curious to witness some of the system’s exclusives, yet they never got around to actually tracking down any of the games which are compatible with the 360. If it wasn’t for the very steep price of $15, in typical Microsoft fashion, it would make for a great alternative to purchasing retail copies of Xbox titles through a store or online.

Speaking of Crimson Skies, if any title deserved a next-gen sequel on the 360 it’s this one. During its heyday, the game was definitely one of the best online multiplayer experiences to be had through Xbox Live, and really laid the foundation for future online games such as Halo 2 to follow. Naturally, you can imagine why I would find it odd that Microsoft neglected to make a follow up to this modern classic considering how popular the game was at the time, although unfortunately with old age the title’s servers aren’t exactly as active as they once were. However, a revival on the 360 should just be enough to rejuvenate life into the Crimson Skies franchise.