How to Get the Best Xbox One Backward Compatibility Experience on Your Shiny New Xbox Series S

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a proud owner of Microsoft‘s new all-digital powerhouse, the Xbox Series S, your gaming horizons have just expanded big time. With full backward compatibility across four generations of Xbox, the Series S puts thousands of last-gen games at your fingertips – including the entire legendary Xbox One catalog.

But you might be wondering: how exactly can I access those Xbox One games on a digital-only console? And can I get the very best backward compatible experience out of my Series S? Read on, fellow gamer!

An All-Access Backward Compatibility Pass

The key to unlocking the Xbox One vault on Series S is digital ownership. While you sadly can‘t use physical discs, owning digital copies gives you full access. And the Series S enhances these games via:

  • Higher, steadier frame rates – Making gameplay feel smoother
  • Faster load times – Thanks to the custom SSD storage
  • Quick Resume – Letting you instantly switch between multiple titles
  • Auto HDR – Upgrading colors and contrast (on supported TVs)

So not only can you play Xbox One games on your Series S – many also benefit from next-gen features!

Get Xbox One Games – Digitally!

Here‘s how to get your hands on Xbox One games to play on Series S:

1. Buy Games Digitally from the Microsoft Store

Browse the Microsoft Store on your Series S and grab any Xbox One game you fancy. Purchasing it gives you a digital license tied to your account.

  • Over 4000+ Xbox One and 360 games to explore!
  • Frequent sales with up to 85% off

2. Transfer Xbox One Games from Your Account

Already own Xbox One games digitally? Transfer them from another Xbox via network transfer:

  1. On your Xbox One, go to My Games & Apps > Manage > Transfer
  2. Select games and choose Copy
  3. On your Series S, select Paste to download them

Or simply redownload any game linked to your account from the Microsoft Store on Series S.

3. Access Your Entire Xbox One Library

Every Xbox One game you own digitally appears under My Games & Apps > Full Library. Tap into this instant collection!

  • Filter by Console Type
  • Reinstall whatever you fancy from your personal vault
[Table summarizing methods for getting Xbox One games on Series S]
MethodHow ToThings To Note
Buy from StoreSearch and purchase games directly on your Series SFrequent sales for deals!
Network TransferCopy games from Xbox One via Manage menuEasy bulk transfer
Full LibraryRedownload any owned Xbox One gamesInstant access – no copying!

So while discs are off the menu, going all-digital lets you unlock thousands of Xbox One classics on Series S!

Enhanced Xbox One Gaming

The Xbox engineering wizards have cooked up some tasty improvements for Xbox One games on Series S and X via backward compatibility.

  • Many titles now hit 60 FPS instead of 30 for smoother gameplay. Great news for fast-paced shooters and racers!
  • Super speedy load times beat even high-end gaming PCs, thanks to Xbox Velocity Architecture. Waiting screens become a thing of the past.
  • Quick Resume lets you stash several games, then instantly swap between them. It‘s awesome for going back to deep RPGs and lengthy adventures.
  • Auto HDR upgrades colors and contrast automatically on supported TVs. Making older games pop visually!

So not only do you gain access to 4 generations of Xbox gaming – these titles also receive next-gen upgrades for free!

My Tips: Must-Play Xbox One Games On Series S

As an avid Xbox fan churning out more gaming content than I can keep up with, I‘ve compiled my personal shortlist of Xbox One classics that really sing on Xbox Series S:

  • Ori and the Blind Forest – This gorgeous Metroidvania platformer adds buttery frame rates up to 120 FPS!
  • Gears 5 – Now hits slick 60 FPS campaign and multiplayer for chainsawing action
  • Forza Horizon 4 – Britain never looked so pretty, tearing along country roads at up to 60 FPS
  • Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Iconic Halo campaigns fully optimized for Series S
  • Hellblade: Senua‘s Sacrifice – Haunting adventure enhanced with faster loading and more
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Vast open world adventure with improved performance

I‘ll have full backwards compatibility benchmarks coming on my YouTube channel soon – so smash that subscribe button!

Limitations To Note

While Xbox backward compatibility impresses across thousands of games, some titles aren‘t fully optimized or supported:

  • Xbox One X Enhanced Games displayed at standard Xbox One graphics settings
  • No way to insert an Xbox One disc
  • Kinect-required games currently not supported

There are also random incompatibilities Microsoft steadily works on fixing. So search online if a game has any known issues before buying.

Smooth Sailing Backward Compatibility

I hope this guide has shown that Xbox Series S serves up the full Xbox One catalog through digital ownership – enhanced with next-gen performance optimizations too.

Whether buying fresh, transferring owned games, or dipping into your library, the process is pretty seamless. Just get ready for good times galore as modern classics like Gears 5 and Witcher 3 load ultra fast and run better than ever!

What Xbox One games are you looking forward to replaying on your Series S? Let me know in the comments below!

Benji @ Xbox Central

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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