Microsoft Reveals New Feature for Backward Compatibility with FPS Boost

Written by Brandon Hofer on February 17, 2021

News: This new feature will allow select backward compatible titles to run better than they ever have before.

Microsoft has just announced a new feature for the Xbox Series X|S with FPS Boost. FPS Boost is something that employs some new methods for doubling (and in some instances, quadrupling) the original frame rate for select titles in the backward compatibility program. What this means is that certain games on Xbox One, Xbox 360 and even potentially the original Xbox will run the best they ever have before. The games participating in this program will run smoother which should allow for more overall immersion. This isn’t going to be available for all games but over time more and more games will be added to the list. Microsoft has revealed the first batch of games that will take advantage of this new feature and they include the following:

Far Cry 4

New Super Lucky’s Tale

Sniper Elite 4

UFC 4

Watch Dogs 2

Microsoft said they chose these titles specifically for the first set to demonstrate the number of different ways that FPS Boost can make a difference. As an example, UFC 4’s frame rate has improved and can run 60fps, and more specifically the Xbox Series S should be a nice overall improvement. For New Super Lucky’s Tale it can now run up to 120 frames per second. Those are the two examples that Microsoft gave us but you can already see how big this could potentially be for some of the older games that you own and can play on the Xbox Series X|S.

More titles that are participating in this program will be revealed soon. There are also going to be new menu icons and system settings in an upcoming system update. Beginning at some point this Spring, you will be able to go into the “Manage Game” section for any game and you will be presented with some new compatibility options. This will allow you to select whether you want FPS Boost on or off, as well as being able to turn Auto HDR on and off. Additionally, there will be a new indicator that lets you know when FPS Boost is being utilized whenever you hit the big Xbox button on your controller. The nice thing is you can decide whether or not you want to take advantage of these new features.

This will undoubtedly expand to some Game Pass titles as well. As more games get the FPS Boost capability, you will certainly see some of them as a part of Game Pass and so therefore you can try out these new features for free (as a Game Pass member).

What do you think of this news? What would you like to see Microsoft do next? What games do you hope to see take advantage of FPS Boost? Tell us in the comment section below.