Why is King Kong not on Xbox One?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Peter Jackson‘s King Kong, the acclaimed 2005 first-person action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft based on the epic blockbuster movie, is sadly not available to play on Xbox One or the latest Xbox Series X/S consoles. As a huge fan of both the film and Xbox, this has been a major disappointment.

The Origins of the Epic King Kong Game

King Kong was originally released for the Xbox 360 back in 2005, alongside versions for PS2, original Xbox, PC and GameCube. The game was a massive critical success, with it being hailed as one of the best and most faithful movie tie-in games ever made.

"As movie licenses go, King Kong is one of the greatest, most complete, and most all-around entertaining examples of the genre, and stands head-and-shoulders above most other games not just in its category, but in general." – 9.3/10 – IGN

The Xbox 360 version offered cutting edge graphics at the time along with thrilling first-person action gameplay as you battled dinosaurs and other threats on the mysterious Skull Island. It followed the movie‘s plot precisely, with you playing as both the screenwriter Jack Driscoll and of course King Kong himself.

Developed by Michel Ancel, the legendary designer behind the Rayman series, it expanded on the movie with additional levels and content for extra enjoyment. Published by Ubisoft and Peter Jackson‘s Wingnut Films, it was clear a lot of passion and resources went into crafting an engrossing, blockbuster adaptation.

Sales and reception were very strong, with over 2 million units sold globally according to VGChartz. For Xbox fans in particular, it stood out as a must-have early title in the new console‘s library.

So Why No Backwards Compatibility?

When the Xbox One first launched, there was no backwards compatibility at all with Xbox 360 games. But over the years, Microsoft has worked to update the console to allow gamers to play many of their favorite last-gen games on the new system.

According to Microsoft, over 600 Xbox 360 titles are currently playable on Xbox One. However, despite its reputation as a top-tier movie license game, King Kong has not been added to this list of supported backwards compatible games.

Possible Explanation 1: Expired Licenses

The most likely explanation is that Microsoft no longer holds the license to digitally distribute and emulated the King Kong game on new platforms. As time passes, agreements with license holders like movie studios can expire.

Negotiating extensions can be challenging when a game or property is older, as the various stakeholders may have moved on. With King Kong being based on a 2005 movie, navigating these rights issues today to re-release the game may have been difficult for Microsoft.

Explanation 2: Technical Limitations

There can also be technical hurdles that prevent certain Xbox 360 games from functioning properly when emulated on Xbox One architecture.

Getting performance smooth and precise for more advanced last-gen titles takes a lot of development resources. As the Xbox backwards compatibility program has wound down, less complex games may have been prioritized for compatibility over more demanding ones like King Kong.

Movie Tie-ins That Did Make It

In contrast, several other high profile movie licensed games did successfully become playable on Xbox One, indicating King Kong may have faced specific restrictions.

These include Star Wars classics such as Knights of the Old Republic and Episode III as well as The Chronicles of Riddick, all integrated Xbox One backwards compatibility.

The End of the Road?

Unfortunately, Microsoft announced in November 2021 that no more Xbox 360 or original Xbox games will be added to the backwards compatibility lineup. So support for King Kong looks very unlikely now unless something dramatic changes.

"We have reached the limit of our ability to bring new games to the catalog from the past due to licensing, legal and technical constraints." – Microsoft statement to IGN

This is very disappointing for King Kong fans like myself who want to replay this classic on modern Xbox hardware. But the reality is that licensing challenges, limited resources and technical barriers means the backwards compatibility dream is over.

So for now, digging out my old Xbox 360 seems to be the only way I‘ll get to battle dinosaurs and climb the Empire State Building as King Kong again…

Could King Kong Ever Return?

I still cling to a faint hope that one day in the future, King Kong could make a comeback on Xbox consoles.

While the Xbox backwards compatibility program will not add any more games, a surprise licensing renewal or even a full remaster/remake could happen. Major companies still recognize the strong nostalgia many gamers have for this title.

For comparison, 2005’s Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie was remastered for Nintendo Switch in 2020 by developer Paon. So there is precedent for renewing this franchise, if limited.

However, Paon does not appear to have acquired rights to produce an Xbox/PlayStation remastered port. And with the new God of War game occupying attention as the major PS4 exclusive, an updated King Kong title seems unlikely right now.

But as a passionate Xbox gamer who believes King Kong deserves to live on for new generations, I still think that with enough fan interest, Microsoft and Ubisoft could potentially revive this classic as a digital re-release, remaster or full-blown remake at some point in future years.

For now, I continue to hold out a glimmer of hope that I’ll get to hear those iconic King Kong roars echo from my Xbox again someday…

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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