Recent speculation around Microsoft’s upcoming console has sparked anxiety among players, with many concerned that the system could prioritize PC-like architecture at the expense of seamless backward compatibility. These worries grew after the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally’s reveal and reports from The Verge’s Tom Warren suggesting third-party manufacturers might design their own iterations of the next-gen hardware.

Windows Central’s Jez Corden has since stepped in to clarify that legacy support remains a priority, emphasizing native hardware integration over software emulation. During the Xbox Two Podcast, Corden highlighted insights from internal sources:

Based on multiple confirmations, the upcoming console will support virtually all existing Xbox titles without compromise. Concerns about it functioning solely as a PC are overblown—dedicated silicon ensures compatibility with Xbox One, Series X|S, and select Xbox 360 games. While third-party devices like ASUS’s hardware may adopt a more PC-oriented approach, Microsoft’s first-party system will maintain its ecosystem integrity. It’s worth noting, though, that skepticism toward Microsoft’s promises persists due to past missteps, reinforcing the need for transparent communication.

Despite fluctuating trust in corporate messaging, backward compatibility remains a cornerstone of Xbox’s strategy. The initiative has garnered significant praise, making its abandonment improbable. Microsoft has already teased the next-gen console as a “generational leap,” targeting a release within the next few years. Whether this claim holds true will depend on how the hardware balances innovation with legacy support.