Backwards compatibility being announced by Phil Spencer at E3 2015
Image: Casey Rodgers / Microsoft

Later this year, Xbox 360 backwards compatibility is coming to Xbox One. The announcement of this much requested feature came from the mouth of Xbox boss, Phil Spencer, during Microsoft's 2015 E3 press briefing, and it's been getting steady attention since then. For the most part, it appears that Xbox One owners have responded favourably to the news, but that's not to say that everyone feels the same way. So for the second instalment of pX Asks, we've asked the Pure Xbox staff and a few of our readers: What does Xbox 360 backwards compatibility on Xbox One mean to you? As expected, the replies have been largely positive, even if a few gripes have been addressed. But instead of spoiling the worthwhile bit of reading to follow, how about we get this show on the road?

Here's how we feel about Xbox 360 games being playable on Xbox One:

Ken Barnes (@SuperKMx)

To me personally, backwards compatibility means convenience. I've still got an Xbox 360 sat next to my Xbox One since we occasionally get 360 review copies in to cover, so that won't change anytime soon. But being able to quickly fire up one of my favourite Xbox 360 titles without having to change controller or unplug/replug HDMI cables is awesome. I'm just hoping that the entire first wave of titles isn't all from the Call of Duty series. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, Double Dragon Neon, Vanquish, Enslaved, Rez HD, Metal Gear Rising, Bayonetta, Red Dead Redemption, Burnout Paradise and Binary Domain are all far more important to me than any shooter that Activision has ever released. I'm aso looking forward to how it'll all affect the Xbox Games Store. We'll likely see things such as mixed-format complete digital bundles of the likes of Assassin's Creed sooner rather than later, and it'll be interesting to see what sort of prices the publishers think those packages should command.

Dave Letcavage (@DRL)

My Xbox 360 has been hauled across the entire United States numerous times throughout the past seven years, so it's certainly seen better days. Because of how poorly it now runs, and because my controllers have issues of their own, I haven't had the console hooked up for quite a while. Given those circumstances, you can imagine the prospect of being able to play my Xbox 360 games on my Xbox One has me incredibly happy. I'm the kind of person that doesn't move from console generation to console generation forgetting what came before; I keep my old systems around and use them regularly. If Microsoft does everything in its power to ensure the list of compatible games keeps growing at a healthy rate, consider me a grateful customer. Well, as long as Trials Evolution, Double Dragon Neon, Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Sonic Racing Transformed, and Red Dead Redemption show up promptly. I'm losing my mind without easy access to those modern classics.

Anthony Bacchus (@Anthinator)

I have to admit, the loss of backwards compatibility with every new console generation is perfectly fine for me. I know it's a big deal for others, but the act of popping in old discs in new hardware just wasn't appealing to me. Plus, as someone who rarely trades or sells their consoles, I could just as easily play my old games whenever I wanted to. However, with Microsoft's backwards compatibility announcement at E3 this year, it would appear I've had a change of heart – at least on Xbox One. As someone who has gravitated to purchasing all of my games digitally, it's incredibly useful to know that my digital Xbox 360 games can run natively on my Xbox One without the need of putting in a disc. It's awesome that Microsoft isn't charging consumers again to play them on the Xbox One either, compared to what the other guys are doing. I love having the XBLA Banjo-Kazooie being a click away, or seeing the Mass Effect tile being an option for when I'm ready to replay the series. It does, in most ways, provide a reason to get rid of the Xbox 360 console. I'm hoping that every Games With Gold Xbox 360 game will run on Xbox One, too. Now I know not every title will be backwards compatible, but it's encouraging to hear that Microsoft has given publishers an effortless way to make it work. So yeah, I'm excited this feature is back because I feel Microsoft has brought it back in the best way possible.

Andrew Stevens (@CaffeinatedGamr)

I'm very excited about the Xbox 360 backwards compatibility on Xbox One due to the possibility of playing many of my favorite Xbox Live Arcade Games. I also love that Xbox One features, like recording video and taking screenshots, are available so I can share all of my favorite moments in games like Rez HD, Bastion, Ikaruga, Bangai-O HD, Hydro Thunder Hurricane and many more! Of course, it isn't just about the arcade games, as I wouldn't mind playing some more Akai Katana, Over G Fighters, Project Sylpheed, Project Gotham Racing, Too Human, and Ghost Recon Advance Warfighter 1 & 2 on the Xbox One as well. Ultimately, I like backwards compatibility so I can continue to return to past joys on a console with new features. However, I can't rule out that I won't pick up a 360 game I've never played before.

Adam Ducker (@flameboy84)

Since I'm a rare breed of person who made the switch from PS3 to Xbox One (which is a whole other story), I am extremely excited that this feature is coming. While I enjoyed the vast majority of AAA third-party titles on Sony's console, there are a wealth of first-party and third-party exclusives that I've literally never touched. Microsoft was knocking it out of the park when the 360 launched, securing exclusive console titles such as Geometry Wars, Mass Effect, Gears of War, Left 4 Dead and many others, so I cannot wait for those games to get added as time goes on. I've also been banking those Xbox 360 Games with Gold so I have a library that is ever expanding with each passing month.

Josephine Johnson (@MegaKILLScreen)

I genuinely gasped with excitement when Microsoft announced backwards compatibility at their conference! I bought a 360 last year so I could play titles like Tropico 5 and XCOM: Enemy Within, which hadn't made it to the current-gen console. Having the ability to play those titles on my primary machine brings me great joy, as I am currently exiled to the living room to indulge in my strategy gaming needs. I also had a rather impressive collection of Arcade games, which I'm looking forward to rediscovering, and titles like Alien Hominid and Shadow Complex will be in heavy rotation once I actually get some time to enjoy them.

Paul Renshaw (@Red620Ti)

Backwards compatibility is a huge deal for me. There so many games that I missed last time around, like Mass Effect 2 and 3, as well as other games that I started but never finished, like Red Dead Redemption and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. I just wish that Microsoft hadn't said, back in the day, that "There will never be backward compatibility with the 360", because then I wouldn't have gone and traded in my 150+ Xbox 360 discs. On the plus side though, seeing the girl's face at GAME when I said "Can I trade a few games in?" and putting them on the counter is a fond memory...

Readers Respond

For me, convenience. I can play all of my games from one machine. I can free up a space under my TV. All those Games with gold that I've got on memory sticks can now be on a nice shiny easy to use hard drive. The 360 can then either be sold or more likely, carefully boxed and consigned to the attic. – @sorethumbed

Personally it's of little to no importance to me. I still have my 360 set-up on my 2nd TV and I have rarely played on it since I upgraded but its there if I ever do. I kind of feel its more for those still with a 360 who are undecided as to which next gen console to buy. It makes the XB1 more appealing as you can play some of your old library whilst building up your new collection. I don't think I used the 360's backwards compatibility with the games from the original Xbox. It's a nice feature but I can't see myself using it much unless the GwG games are backwards compatible and therefore offer me a new and free experience on either console. – @BAMozzy

For me it means that I will actually have all three consoles this gen, a first for me. It means that I will be able to have access to a lot of my 360 library as well as a new library for the One. This announcement was huge and quite honestly, if Microsoft would have made this announcement 2 years ago at E3, I would have bought an Xbox One day one. I hope that it turns out well unlike the backwards compatibility for the Xbox 360 for Xbox games but the fact that they are going a digital route instead gives me high hopes for it. I also really like the fact that I will be able to still play online with my 360 friends. Well played MS well played. – @Tasuki

What does Xbox 360 backwards compatibility on Xbox One mean to you? Take to the comments and let us know! While you're at it, why not share the name of the Xbox 360 games you're hoping show up on Xbox One sooner than later. There's plenty of room for an extended conversation.

Want to get involved in future instalments of pX Asks and be featured in the "Readers Respond" section? Be sure to spend some time in the forums – that's where we present the upcoming topics and rules leading up to each forthcoming pX Asks article. Since we only select up to three reader responses, be sure to give it your best shot.