Xbox 25th Anniversary: Wolfenstein 3 and Every Announcement

What did Xbox announce for its 25th anniversary?

On 12 November 2026, at its FanFest event in Seattle, Xbox announced Wolfenstein 3, a free Halo Firefight update, 21 more original Xbox games on PC, achievements for classic games, new Fable gameplay and anniversary in-game items across its biggest games ^[1].

The Seattle show closed an eight-city FanFest tour marking 25 years since the first Xbox console launched ^[1]. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced Wolfenstein 3 and confirmed that id Software's next project is in development ^[1].

Here is the full list from Xbox Wire's recap ^[1]:

• Wolfenstein 3 confirmed in production at MachineGames.
• Firefight mode coming free to Halo: Campaign Evolved this winter.
• 25 original Xbox games now playable on PC, with achievements added to some.
• Anniversary in-game items in Forza Horizon 6, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
• New Fable gameplay, with a breakdown promised on the Official Xbox Podcast.
• Slaughter Mode for DOOM: The Dark Ages on 16 November, and confirmation that id Software's next project is in development.
• Xbox Playback, a personal history of your Xbox play time and top games.
• Console updates for Insiders, including rotating Home backgrounds and new library options.

What do we know about Wolfenstein 3?

Wolfenstein 3 is officially in production at MachineGames, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced on 12 November 2026; no platforms or release date have been announced ^[1][5].

Sharma wrote that it is "one of gaming's most important franchises" and that she was "looking forward to sharing more" ^[5][7]. MachineGames said the game is in production and shared a photo from a motion-capture session, The Verge reported ^[4][7].

Xbox confirmed that Brian Bloom returns as series hero BJ Blazkowicz and Debra Wilson as Grace Walker ^[1]. Sharma also posted a photo of what appears to be the first page of a script. GamesRadar+ said it seems to name the first chapter "Nazitraz", but that is an inference from a photo, not an official description ^[5][7].

It will be the first mainline entry since Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus in 2017 ^[4][5][7]. Wolfenstein: Youngblood, a co-op spin-off starring Blazkowicz's twin daughters, followed in 2019 ^[4][7]. MachineGames has made the series since Wolfenstein: The New Order in 2014 ^[5][7].

Until Xbox confirms platforms, treat any claimed release date or console list as rumour.

Which original Xbox games can you play on PC?

Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC now covers 25 original Xbox games: 21 were added on 12 November 2026 and four were already available ^[2][6].

The new additions include a large group of Star Wars games, such as Knights of the Old Republic and its sequel, both Battlefront games, Republic Commando and Jedi Academy ^[2]. Other additions are The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, TimeSplitters 2, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, Red Faction II and Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb ^[2].

The four earlier games are BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Fuzion Frenzy ^[2]. Xbox said it has improved performance and stability for those four and that every game now supports mouse and keyboard ^[2].

Some titles are included with Xbox Game Pass: Morrowind, Grabbed by the Ghoulies and all four of the earlier games ^[2]. Xbox says a game purchase or Game Pass subscription may be required for these games; the other titles are not listed as Game Pass games ^[2]. Xbox says more original Xbox games will come to PC later ^[2].

How do you play original Xbox games on PC?

You need a Windows 11 PC, a purchase of the game or a Game Pass subscription for included titles, and you must live in a supported market ^[2].

1. Check your system: Xbox says the feature requires Windows 11 ^[2].
2. Find the game: look up the title in the Xbox app or Microsoft Store on PC. Features vary by game, and a download is required ^[2].
3. Buy or use Game Pass: Xbox says a game purchase or Game Pass subscription may be required ^[2]; the Game Pass titles are listed in the table above.
4. Pick your controls: all 25 games now support mouse and keyboard ^[2].
5. Handheld PCs: Xbox's announcement mentions handhelds such as the ROG Xbox Ally family among the PCs that run original Xbox games ^[2].

Xbox lists details for each title at xbox.com/game-compatibility ^[2]. If a game does not appear in your store, it may not be offered in your country yet.

For how much drive space modern games take, see the Pouyam guide How Much Storage Do Games Need in 2026? PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 and PC.

Which original Xbox games now have achievements?

Four original Xbox games gained achievements for the first time on 12 November 2026: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper and Conker: Live and Reloaded ^[2].

The achievements work on PC and also on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles, after the latest system update ^[2]. Xbox said that in some cases achievements may unlock based on progress you already made ^[2].

Xbox said it designed the achievements with each game's developers and publishers and plans to add more to original Xbox games over time ^[2]. Xbox called achievements one of the top requested features from its community ^[2].

What Xbox 25th anniversary items can you claim?

Xbox named six games with 25th anniversary in-game items; some are automatic, others need a claim before a deadline or a digital pre-order ^[1].

The table below lists each item and how to get it, based on Xbox Wire's recap ^[1]. A few points to note:

• Halo: Campaign Evolved: the Damascus Prototype Armor Style is unlocked on Halo Waypoint through the redemption link and code published by Xbox ^[1].
• Gears of War: E-Day: the weapon skin set can be claimed free from the in-game shop; the shop rotates on Tuesday 17 November, after which the set enters the barracks and can be acquired with free-to-earn Coins or premium currency ^[1].
• Forza Horizon 6: a livery for the game's cover car sits in the Gifts tab of the Message Center; Xbox's recap does not state a price ^[1].
• Minecraft: the OG Green Character Creator item can be claimed in the dressing room until 10 December 2026 at 10 AM PT, one per account, and needs Bedrock Edition ^[1].
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4: the Inner Circuit M4 Blueprint's translucent green look is only for players who pre-ordered digitally on Xbox Series X|S ^[1].

Only claim items through the game itself, Halo Waypoint or official Xbox pages. For other free offers this week, see the Pouyam guide Free Games This Week: Epic, Steam, PS Plus and Game Pass.

When is Halo Firefight coming to Halo: Campaign Evolved?

Firefight arrives in Halo: Campaign Evolved this winter as a free update; Xbox has not given an exact date and will share more at Halo Fest on 12-13 December 2026 in Seattle ^[3].

Firefight is Halo's four-player cooperative mode in which players survive waves of enemies ^[3]. Halo Studios said the update brings new maps and a variety of weapons, and FanFest attendees played it first on 12 November ^[3].

Halo Fest visitors will also be able to play Firefight through the weekend of the event ^[3]. The mode is part of what Xbox called a free Winter Update ^[1].

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign with three new missions, split-screen on console and four-player online co-op with crossplay ^[3].

What other Xbox anniversary news matters?

Beyond the headline games, Xbox showed new Fable gameplay, dated DOOM: The Dark Ages' Slaughter Mode for 16 November and announced Xbox Playback ^[1].

• Fable: new quest footage showed magical combat against cursed creatures; Playground Games planned a breakdown on the Official Xbox Podcast the next day ^[1].
• DOOM: The Dark Ages: Slaughter Mode adds rounds of random enemies, bosses and arenas, free for owners of the Revelations DLC, the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade ^[1].
• id Software: Sharma confirmed the studio's next project is in development, without naming it ^[1][5].
• Xbox Playback: shows your first game, total time played, most-played game, top years and longest streak ^[1].
• Candy Crush Saga: a Game On! season adding collectible in-game pins and music remixes from franchises such as Halo, Fallout and Spyro ^[1].

On 3 November 2026, Bethesda revealed that the next Elder Scrolls game is called The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel; no release date was announced then ^[8]. Xbox's anniversary recap gave no new release dates for these projects ^[1].

Fans hoping for news on a new Xbox console did not get any at the event, based on the official recap ^[1]. For streaming options, see the Pouyam guide Xbox Cloud Gaming Explained: Cost, Hour Limits and Server Closures.